When using the START triage system, what color tag is assigned to an ambulatory patient with minor injuries?

In the START triage system, the color tag assigned to an ambulatory patient with minor injuries is green. This color signifies that the individual can walk and has only minor injuries, indicating that they are not in immediate danger and do not require urgent medical attention. The green category is often referred to as "walking wounded," and these patients can wait for treatment while more critically injured individuals receive immediate care.

The importance of the green tag allows first responders to prioritize those who are in life-threatening conditions, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively during a mass casualty incident. In contrast, individuals requiring immediate medical care would typically receive red tags, while yellow tags indicate a situation that is urgent but not life-threatening, and blue tags may represent patients who are deceased or expectant in terms of survival. This clear system helps streamline the triage process, enabling responders to quickly assess and categorize patients based on their needs.