What color represents a "deceased" patient in triage categories?

In triage systems, the color black is used to denote a "deceased" patient or one that is unlikely to survive due to the severity of their injuries. This categorization is a critical component in emergency response situations, allowing medical personnel to quickly identify individuals who require urgent care versus those who are not salvageable.

Using black for deceased patients helps streamline the treatment process by enabling responders to focus their resources on those with higher chances of survival, represented by the other colors in the triage system. In contrast, red typically signifies patients who need immediate attention, yellow represents those with urgent but not life-threatening injuries, and green is for patients who can wait for care. This system is crucial in mass casualty incidents, ensuring effective prioritization of aid.