What is a simple method for calculating body surface area affected by burns?

The palmar surface of the hand is a useful and widely accepted method for estimating the percentage of the body surface area that is affected by burns. This method applies because the palm of an adult’s hand (with fingers extended) generally represents approximately 1% of the total body surface area. When assessing burns, especially in emergency situations where quick estimations are necessary, knowing that each hand corresponds to about 1% allows for a rapid calculation of burned areas by counting how many "hand prints" fit into the burned regions.

This method is simple to implement and does not require any special tools or extensive training, making it practical in wilderness or field settings where traditional methods may not be feasible. Thus, using the palmar surface allows responders to quickly gauge the severity of burns and make informed decisions about treatment and evacuation.

The other options present alternative methodologies that may not provide a reliable or practical estimation of burn surface area. For example, measuring head circumference does not correlate precisely with total body surface area in burn assessments. Counting the number of blisters can be inconsistent and subjective, and using a tape measure for total body length is more complex and not specific to burn surface area assessment.