👤 By the CinnaEMS Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-09-27🏷️ EMS Operations🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: MCI · START · JumpSTART · SALT · triage tags · mass casualty · incident command
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Use this quick-reference guide to recognise, treat and hand over Triage & MCI on the NREMT and on the call. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Start
Walks → green
RR over 30 → red
No radial / CRT over 2 s → red
Can't follow commands → red
📌 Jumpstart
Apneic + pulse → 5 breaths
RR under 15 or over 45 → red
📌 Tags
Red · yellow · green · black
Only airway + bleeding
Re-triage often
📚 Triage & MCI — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what changes the plan, and what to hand over.
A mass-casualty incident flips the goal from the best care for one to the most good for the most. The exam checks the START and JumpSTART steps, the tag colors and the few actions allowed during triage.
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Key points
Understand these first
Walking wounded → green (minor). Not breathing after airway opened → black (expectant).
START red if breathing over 30, no radial pulse or capillary refill over 2 seconds, or cannot follow commands.
JumpSTART (children): apneic with a pulse → 5 rescue breaths; red if breathing under 15 or over 45.
Only quick lifesaving acts during triage: open the airway, control major bleeding.
Colors: red immediate, yellow delayed, green minor, black expectant or dead.
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Treatment priorities
What to do, in order
First arriving unit establishes command and requests resources.
What are the priority actions for Triage & MCI in the field?
First arriving unit establishes command and requests resources. Re-triage patients repeatedly — conditions change. Do not stop to perform CPR during an MCI triage sweep.
What findings in Triage & MCI change your plan or your transport decision?
A 'green' patient who deteriorates. Hazardous material or a second device on scene. Freelancing outside the incident command system.
What do I need to know about Triage & MCI for the NREMT?
Walking wounded → green (minor). Not breathing after airway opened → black (expectant). START red if breathing over 30, no radial pulse or capillary refill over 2 seconds, or cannot follow commands. JumpSTART (children): apneic with a pulse → 5 rescue breaths; red if breathing under 15 or over 45. Only quick lifesaving acts during triage: open the airway, control major bleeding.
What should the crew communicate or document for Triage & MCI?