What is the first step to take during a mass casualty emergency?

In a mass casualty emergency, the primary goal is to quickly and effectively manage the situation to maximize the chances of survival for all affected individuals. Setting up triage is essential because it allows responders to assess the injuries of victims and categorize them based on the severity of their conditions. This prioritization is critical in ensuring that those who need immediate medical attention receive it first, while less severely injured individuals can wait for help.

By implementing triage, rescuer resources can be allocated effectively, and a systematic approach can be adopted to deal with the chaos of a mass casualty incident. This process helps in managing the emergency more efficiently, as it focuses on treating those who are most at risk of dying if they do not receive prompt care. Meanwhile, other responses, like contacting emergency services, conducting headcounts, or administering first aid, may be necessary but should typically follow the establishment of a triage system to ensure that the most critical needs are addressed first.