During search and rescue, a victim pinned under a steel beam has respirations of less than 8 per minute and is unresponsive. What color tag would be used for this victim?

The correct choice is based on the triage system used in disaster scenarios, which categorizes victims based on the severity of their injuries and the urgency of the medical care they require. In this case, the victim is pinned under a steel beam, unresponsive, and has extremely low respiration rates—fewer than 8 breaths per minute—which indicates a critical condition.

A black tag is used to designate victims who are either deceased or have injuries that are so severe that they are unlikely to survive, regardless of the immediate medical intervention. The unresponsive state, combined with insufficient respiratory function, places this victim in a category where resuscitation efforts would not likely be successful.

This designation allows emergency responders to prioritize their resources and efforts more effectively during time-sensitive situations, focusing on those with a higher chance of survival. In contrast, other colors like red, yellow, and green are designated for victims who can still receive medical assistance and have a chance for survival. For instance, red tags indicate immediate care is needed, yellow implies delayed care can be rendered, and green is for those with minor injuries. Given the critical state of the victim, the black tag is the appropriate choice.