TRIAGE Sorting Multiple Patients in an Emergency Situation

RESPIRATIONS Normally, people breath 8-30 times a minute. More or less than that is an indicator that something serious is wrong. Place your hand on the patient’s stomach and count for 5-10 secs. Multiply by 12 or 6

Perfusion P is for Perfusion. When providing emergency first aid, the pulse is maybe checked at the neck. During triage, it is checked at the wrist and then only noted if it’s present or not. If not, the patient is going into (or is already) in shock.

Mentation M stands for Mentation. Can the patient follow directions in a meaningful way or not. These are simple commands like smile, stick your tongue out or wiggle your eyebrows.

GREEN The first classification is Green. Victims are classified as green if they can move to the rescuer and all 3 RMPs are in the normal range. They may have injuries, but are able and willing to move about when asked.

YELLOW The second classification is Yellow. These victims exhibit all 3 RPMs, but are unable to move about the room when asked.

RED The third classification is Red. These victims are missing 1 or 2 RPMs – they may be breathing too fast or too slow, not have a pulse at the wrist and/or not be able to follow directions. You need to help these people first

BLACK & WHITE The fourth classification is Black & White striped. Tape is tied to a victim who is not breathing, has no pulse and is not responsive.

RESPIRATIONS Less than 8 More than 30 Perfusion: Pulse at the wrist Mentation: follow simple directions GREEN:ALL 3 RPMs ARE OK AND THE PERSON IS AMBULATORY YELLOW: ALL 3 RPMS ARE OK AND THE PERSON IS NOT AMBULATORY RED: PATIENT IS MISSING 1 OR 2 RPMS BLACK AND WHITE: ALL 3 RPMS ARE MISSING