Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) NFPA Technical Rescue (NFPA 1006) Written Practice Exam

The START method, which stands for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, is a standardized approach used during mass casualty incidents to prioritize patient care based on their need for immediate medical attention. In this method, the primary considerations that are assessed first are breathing, circulation, and level of responsiveness (LOR).

Starting with breathing is critical as it indicates whether the patient is able to sustain life. If a patient is not breathing, immediate interventions may be necessary, such as opening the airway or providing rescue breaths. Following this, circulation is evaluated by checking for a pulse and assessing the patient's overall perfusion, which includes looking for signs of severe bleeding. Finally, the level of responsiveness helps determine the patient's neurological status, which can provide insights into their overall condition and urgency for treatment.

Prioritizing these three key assessments allows responders to quickly identify patients who are in the most critical condition and require immediate assistance, ensuring the most efficient use of available medical resources. Therefore, addressing breathing, circulation, and level of responsiveness first aligns with the goal of the START method, which is to maximize the potential for survival among individuals affected in a disaster scenario.