In a mass casualty incident, what is the primary responsibility of a first aider?

In a mass casualty incident, the primary responsibility of a first aider is to triage patients based on the severity of their injuries. Triage is a critical process that allows first responders to prioritize patient care effectively when the number of casualties exceeds the resources available to treat them. By assessing the severity of injuries, first aiders can determine which patients require immediate attention to save lives, and which can wait for treatment. This systematic approach ensures that the most critical cases receive timely medical intervention and helps to stabilize the overall situation.

Other tasks, such as providing treatment to all casualties or calling for emergency assistance, are important but come secondary to the initial need for triage. If a first aider were to focus solely on treating all individuals without categorizing their injuries first, it could lead to inefficiencies and potentially delay life-saving care to those in the most critical condition. Additionally, while documentation is important for later medical follow-up and legal purposes, it is not the first priority in a high-pressure scenario where quick decision-making and immediate action are vital. Hence, the prioritization of triage during a mass casualty incident is what defines the initial role and responsibility of a first aider.