If a patient remains unresponsive after you open their airway, how should you triage them?

In triaging a patient who remains unresponsive after airway management, the correct approach is to classify them as BLACK, or expectant. This designation is used for patients who are critically ill or injured and are unlikely to survive given the severity of their condition, despite receiving the best care that can be provided at the moment.

When a patient is unresponsive, this indicates a significant compromise in neurological function. If opening the airway does not lead to any improvement in their responsiveness, it suggests a potentially severe underlying issue that may not be reversible in the field. This may include conditions such as severe traumatic brain injury, massive stroke, or other critical events where immediate intervention may not be sufficient to save the patient.

In the context of triage, categorizing a patient as BLACK helps prioritize resources and care for those who have a higher likelihood of survival with treatment, allowing EMTs to focus on patients who are likely to benefit from interventions. The other categories, RED, YELLOW, and GREEN, are intended for patients who show signs of life and can respond in some way to treatment, indicating a potential for survival if appropriately managed.