In which zone is triage typically performed?

In which zone is triage typically performed?

• A. Hot zone
• B. Warm zone
• C. Cold zone
• D. Triage area outside

Answer: (B)

Triage is performed in the warm zone. This zone sits around the hazardous area and allows responders wearing appropriate PPE to access victims quickly while maintaining containment. From here, responders can rapidly assess and label patients by urgency and survivability, and start moving them toward decontamination or the cold zone for further treatment. The hot zone is too dangerous for triage, as the threat is active there. The cold zone is safer but is typically used for ongoing treatment and transport after decontamination, not for the initial rapid sorting of victims. The idea of a separate “triage area outside” doesn’t align with the standard zone structure used in these incidents.

Triage is performed in the warm zone. This zone sits around the hazardous area and allows responders wearing appropriate PPE to access victims quickly while maintaining containment. From here, responders can rapidly assess and label patients by urgency and survivability, and start moving them toward decontamination or the cold zone for further treatment. The hot zone is too dangerous for triage, as the threat is active there. The cold zone is safer but is typically used for ongoing treatment and transport after decontamination, not for the initial rapid sorting of victims. The idea of a separate “triage area outside” doesn’t align with the standard zone structure used in these incidents.