(1)
Soft tissue wounds without profuse bleeding (minor lacerations and
contusions).
(2)
Upper extremity fractures, fingers, dislocations, and sprains.
(3) Second and/or third degree burns under 20 percent of the casualty's body
surface and not involving the face, neck, hands, feet, perineum, or genitalia.
(4)
Combat stress (battle fatigue).
d. Expectant. Casualties in the expectant category have life-threatening
conditions that are beyond the capability of the medic to treat and only complicated and
prolonged treatment offers any hope of improving life expectancy. This category is used
only if resources are limited. Examples of casualties in this category include casualties
with:
(1) Massive head injuries with signs of impending death (unresponsive with
penetrating head wounds).
(2) Burns, mostly third degree, covering more than 85 percent of the body's
surface area.
(3)
Mutilating wounds involving multiple structures.
(4)
Agonal respirations (ineffective gasping breaths).
1-4.
TRIAGE FOR TREATMENT (CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT)
When a medic is triaging casualties in a chemical environment (chemical agents
are being used), the triage categories change somewhat. In a chemical environment,
casualties are triaged as being immediate, chemical immediate, delayed, minimal, or
expectant and are treated in that order. Signs and symptoms of chemical agent
poisoning are described in subcourse MD0534, Treating Chemical Agent Casualties in
the Field.
NOTE:
When a casualty has chemical agent poisoning and conventional injuries, you
will usually treat the chemical agent poisoning before treating the
conventional injuries. If a casualty has arterial bleeding and is not classified
as expectant, however, take immediate action to control the bleeding prior to
or simultaneously with treating the casualty for chemical agent poisoning.
a. Immediate. Casualties in the immediate category have a life-threatening
condition (same as paragraph 1-3a) and do not have signs or symptoms of chemical
agent poisoning.
MD0001
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