In START triage, which color tag indicates a patient is deceased or expectant?

• A. Red-immediate
• B. Yellow-delayed
• C. Green-minimal
• D. Black-deceased/expectant

Answer: (D)

In START triage, color tags quickly signal who needs attention first. The black tag denotes someone who is deceased or expectant, meaning there is little to no chance of survival even with immediate care given the severity of injuries and the current situation. This labeling helps responders allocate limited resources to those who can be saved, prioritizing immediate and delayed patients who still have a reasonable chance. In practice, when performing a rapid assessment, if a patient isn’t breathing after airway opening, they’re categorized as Black, reflecting the assessment that recovery is unlikely under triage conditions. The other colors—red for immediate threats, yellow for delayed injuries, and green for minor injuries—identify those who can benefit from care and should be treated next.