Version 2 / 2min read / Updated Mon 02 Nov 2020 / 588 views
Casualty Triage is the categorization of casualties for the priority of treatment and evacuation. Triage is a continuing process and the individual assigned should be the most senior medical person present.
- It does not matter if the casualties are friendly, civiliian or enemy, all are dealt with in the same manner.
- Return personnel to duty as soon as possible.
- In case of many casualties in the same category (e.g. CAT-1 IMMEDIATE) prioritise other medics and then leaders.
- When communicating or talking about casualties, refer to them as their triage category especially when reporting them or requesting assistance.
- It's important to communcate any change in casualty category.
Examples
"BE ADVISED ALPHA HAS 3 IMMEDIATE CASUALTIES - REQUESTING ASSISTANCE"
"Bravo has one DELAYED one MINIMAL"
Triage Categories
As a general rule, anyone whom is unconcious and bleeding should be categorised initially as IMMEDIATE and then proceed to re-triage as things change.
CAT-1 IMMEDIATE (RED TAG)
- Has lost a LARGE or FATAL amount of blood and/or is bleeding
- If immediate medical attention is not provided, the patient will die.
CAT-2 DELAYED (YELLOW TAG)
- Has lost SOME or A LOT of blood AND is not bleeding
- Tourniqueted limbs do not count as bleeding
- The patient is unresponsive or unconcious
- Not expected to significantly deteriorate and can safely wait until the immediate category of patients has been stabilized.
CAT-3 MINIMAL (GREEN TAG)
Typically still combat effective and have a task at hand should avoid going to the medic immediately.
- The patient can walk
- These individuals have injuries that will still need treatment, however, are unlikely to deteriorate.
- This includes those with relatively minor injuries who can effectively care for themselves or can be helped by untrained personnel.
CAT-4 DECEASED (BLACK TAG)
- The patient has died or is expected to die and no positive action could or can be taken to prevent any loss of life.
REFERENCES:
UNITAF Standard Operating procedures (SOP) are adapted primarly from US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Our written and audio procedures are a combination of the following primary source materials, as well as our own learnings, modifications and adaptations:
- US Army Techniques Publication, Infantry Platoon and Squad (ATP 3-21.8)
- Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks Warrior Leader Skills Level 2, 3, and 4 (STP 21-24-SMCT)
- The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills (FM 3-21.75 / FM 21-75)
- Leadership Development (FM 6-22)
- Dyslexi's Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures for Arma 3 (TTP3)