In START triage, what defines an Immediate (Red) casualty?

• A. Casualties who are deceased
• B. Casualties with minor injuries
• C. Casualties needing immediate life-saving intervention to survive
• D. Casualties requiring evacuation soon

Answer: (C)

Immediate in START triage refers to those whose injuries are life-threatening and will cause death unless life-saving action is taken right now. These are the people who must be treated first because timely interventions—such as controlling severe bleeding, opening or securing an airway, or supporting breathing and circulation—can mean the difference between surviving and dying.

Think of it as prioritizing the ones whose condition could deteriorate or become hopeless within minutes if delay occurs. Those with minor injuries can wait, and those without signs of life are not candidates for rapid intervention in the same moment. Even though someone might be badly hurt, if they don’t require urgent, lifesaving care immediately, they’re handled after the Red-tag patients.