Triage Guiding Principles

  • Priorities change based on time from injury
  • Activities in first hour are CRITICAL
  • Don’t waste time with formal triage tools Just extricate/stop threat, stop external bleeding, clear airway
  • Transfusion and ventilator support within the first hour identify a resource-intensive patient
  • Damage control surgery has little impact after the first hour

* In combat, it is assumed that minimals will continue to stay armed/engaged if no mental status altering pharmaceuticals are given for pain.

**Expectant category is ONLY used in combat operations and/or when the requirements to adequately treat these patients exceed the available resources. In peacetime, it is generally assumed that all patients have a chance of survival. Source: Special Operations Force Medic Handbooks (PJ, Ranger)

Triage Class 1 (MASCAL)

Adequate medics to treat critical patients and handle the rest

  • Many casualties
  • Threat controlled
  • Resources not severely limited
  • Medical personnel can arrive
  • Evacuation possible

Triage Class 2 (MASCAL)

Unable to manage the number of critical patients

  • Numerous casualties or MASCAL (i.e. < 100 Casualties)
  • Threat has been controlled or partially controlled
  • Resources are very limited
  • Medical personnel can arrive (may be delayed > 1 hour)
  • Evacuation is possible (may be delayed > 1 hour)

Triage Class 3 (Ultra-MASCAL)

Absolutely overwhelming number of casualties

  • Ultra-MASCAL (i.e. >100, possibly thousands of casualties)
  • Threat is ongoing
  • Resources are severely limited
  • Medical personnel unable to arrive in < 1 Hour
  • Evacuation not possible in < 1 Hour

MASCAL/Austere Team Resuscitation Record

Open the attachment on the side menu or open the below link to print or fill out electronically.

https://jts.health.mil/index.cfm/documents/forms_after_action -

Instructions: https://jts.health.mil/index.cfm/documents/forms_after_action

Tactical Triage Protocol (algorithm)