P2-14 Triage of casualties

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.

1. It does not matter if the casualties are friendly, civilian or enemy, all are dealt with in the same manner.
2. Return personnel to duty as soon as possible.
3. In case of many casualties in the same category (e.g. CAT-1 IMMEDIATE ) prioritise other medics and then leaders.
4. When communicating or talking about casualties, refer to them as their triage category especially when reporting them or requesting assistance.
5. It's important to communicate 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 unconscious 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.