In disaster triage, which category includes patients who are deceased or have injuries beyond survival with current resources?

• A. Expectant (deceased or non-survivable)
• B. Immediate
• C. Delayed
• D. Minor

Answer: (A)

Disaster triage focuses on allocating scarce resources to maximize the number of lives saved. The category for individuals who are deceased or whose injuries are not survivable with the resources available is the expectant group. This designation signals that, despite the best possible care, survival is unlikely, so those resources should be redirected toward patients with a real chance of recovery. This approach helps ensure that limited life-saving capacity—like personnel, equipment, and time—is used where it can make a meaningful difference. Other groups include those who are immediate—critically injured but likely salvageable with rapid intervention—those who are delayed—injuries that can wait a little without immediate risk to life—and those with minor injuries who can be treated later.