Which method is NOT appropriate for the initial management of burns?

Soaking a burn in ice water is not an appropriate method for initial management of burns due to the potential for further tissue damage and hypothermia. Extreme cold can cause vasoconstriction, limiting blood flow to the injured area and potentially worsening the injury. It may also lead to frostbite of the burned tissues, compounding the damage.

In contrast, using cool compresses, running the burn under cool running water, and covering the burn with a sterile dressing are all recommended methods for managing burns. Cool running water helps to reduce the temperature of the burn area and alleviate pain, while covering with a sterile dressing protects the burn from infection and further injury. These methods promote cooling effectively without introducing additional complications that ice-water may cause.