Which statement best describes START-style triage?

• A. VIP status identification
• B. Record every vital sign for later analysis
• C. Quickly assess and categorize casualties for treatment and evacuation
• D. Determine exact cause of injuries

Answer: (C)

START-style triage centers on rapid assessment and sorting of casualties by who needs life-saving care now and who can wait for treatment or evacuation. In a mass-casualty situation, you don’t have time to gather every vital sign or determine the exact cause of injuries. You quickly identify those who require immediate intervention and those who can be moved out of danger first. The process uses a simple flow—walkable wounded are tagged green, while those who can’t walk are quickly checked for breathing, perfusion, and mental responsiveness to decide whether they need red (immediate) or yellow (delayed) prioritization, with some cases labeled black (deceased/expectant) when survival isn’t likely. This prioritization for treatment and evacuation is what START is all about. The other options don’t fit because START isn’t about VIP status, recording every vital sign for later analysis, or determining the exact cause of injuries.