Triage

Overview

Triage is the rapid sorting of casualties by urgency during a multi-casualty incident. The aim is to do the greatest good with the help and equipment available.

First Actions

• Check for danger before entering the area.
• Call 000 early and describe the type of incident, hazards, number of casualties, and access points.
• Use loud, simple instructions such as asking walking casualties to move to a safe area.
• Use able casualties or bystanders to help with simple tasks if safe.
• Complete a rapid primary survey and move on unless immediate life-saving action is needed.

Categories

Category	Meaning	Priority
Red	Immediate	Life-threatening problem needing urgent treatment
Yellow	Urgent or delayed	Serious injury or illness, but can wait briefly
Green	Walking wounded	Minor injuries or able to move
Black	Deceased or expectant	No signs of life or survival unlikely in the situation

Reassessment

Triage is not a one-time decision. Recheck casualties when resources arrive, when a casualty deteriorates, or when the scene changes.