Which triage tag denotes Deceased or expectant?

• A. Red triage tag (Immediate)
• B. Black triage tag (Deceased or expectant)
• C. Yellow triage tag (Delayed)
• D. Green triage tag (Minor)

Answer: (B)

In mass casualty triage, color-coded tags quickly communicate a patient’s priority. A black tag is reserved for those who are deceased or whose survival is unlikely even with available care—this helps responders focus limited resources on patients with a better chance of benefit. The other colors indicate different urgency levels: red for immediate need, yellow for delayed care, and green for minor injuries. Remember that a black tag doesn’t just mean “dead”; it can also mean the patient is expected to die given the injuries and resource constraints, so they are not prioritized for immediate life-saving interventions.