In triage, what color is assigned to a patient requiring immediate attention?

In triage, a patient requiring immediate attention is assigned the color red. This designation indicates that the patient has life-threatening injuries or conditions that demand urgent medical care; without immediate treatment, their chances of survival could be significantly reduced. Red tags are associated with scenarios where time is critical, and these patients must be prioritized over others who can wait longer for medical intervention.

The other colors serve different categories: yellow is typically used for patients who require attention but whose situation is not immediately life-threatening; green is reserved for those with minor injuries who can wait for evaluation; and black indicates a patient who is deceased or has injuries that are not survivable even with immediate care. This color-coding system helps responders efficiently sort and manage multiple patients during mass casualty incidents.