Which type of casualty is associated with the greatest urgency in an MCI scenario?

In a mass casualty incident (MCI) scenario, the primary focus is on identifying and prioritizing care for patients who are in the most critical need. Patients with obvious life threats, such as those experiencing severe bleeding, compromised airways, or significant respiratory distress, require immediate intervention to prevent death. This classification aligns with the principles of triage, where responders assess the condition of victims to maximize survival chances.

Patients with breathlessness may indicate a serious problem, but without the presence of other immediate threats to life, their urgency may not be as high as those exhibiting clear life-threatening conditions. Walking patients with minor injuries typically do not present immediate threats and can often wait for care, while patients with stable vital signs do not require urgent intervention at that moment. Thus, the clear prioritization of care for those with obvious life threats stands out as the most imperative in the context of an MCI.