When a severely burnt patient is wheeled into the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Burn Centre, one of the first things emergency staff do is to pump air into the patient's lungs. That is because if the airway is swollen shut, it can deprive the patient of oxygen, affecting chances of survival. Associate Professor Ong Yee Siang, who heads the department of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at SGH, explained this following several accidents in which people suffered burn injuries. The department manages the burn centre. On Feb 13, Ms Raybe Oh Siew Huey, 26, suffered severe burns on about 80 per cent of her body when she tried to save her boyfriend and their four friends from the fiery Tanjong Pagar car crash. Then, last Wednesday, 10 migrant workers were hospitalised following an explosion in Tuas on the premises of Stars Engrg. Three workers died and five remain in critical condition, while two have been discharged. Prof Ong said some burn victims can talk, albeit hoarsely, and move a little, but it gets riskier when the head and neck areas have burns. When hair and eyebrows are singed, and soot coats the mouth and airways, the patient must be immediately intubated to pu...