EMT: Triage Priorities

Red “Immediate”

airway and breathing compromise

Red “Immediate”

uncontrolled or severe bleeding

Red “Immediate”

severe medical problems

Red “Immediate”

signs of shock (hypoperfusion)

Red “Immediate”

severe burns inhibit breathing

Red “Immediate”

open chest or abdominal injuries

Yellow “delayed”, “moderate”

burns without airway compromise

Yellow “delayed”, “moderate”

major or multiple bone or joint injuries

Yellow “delayed”, “moderate”

back injuries with or without spinal cord damage

Green “minor”, “walking wounded”

minor fractures

Green “minor”, “walking wounded”

minor soft tissue injuries

Black “DOA/DOS”, “expectant”, “low priority”

obvious death

Black “DOA/DOS”, “expectant”, “low priority”

obviously nonsurvivable injury, such as major open brain trauma

Black “DOA/DOS”, “expectant”, “low priority”

respiratory arrest (if limited resources)

Black “DOA/DOS”, “expectant”, “low priority”

cardiac arrest

Cardiac Arrest

no breathing, no pulse

Respiratory Arrest

no breathing, pulse