Casualty

How it is used

UK first aid manuals usually call the person being helped 'the casualty' rather than 'the patient'. At major incidents, casualties are counted and triaged. In older British English, 'Casualty' was also the name of the hospital's A&E department.

Example sentences

1. There are three casualties in the car, and one of them is trapped.

2. Talk to the casualty and keep them warm until help arrives.

Common collocations

• multiple casualties
• casualty count
• treat a casualty
• casualty handling

Related terms

• mass casualty incidentAn event, such as a major crash, explosion or building collapse, that causes more casualties than local emergency services can normally handle at once.
• bystanderA member of the public who happens to be present when someone collapses or is hurt, and who is not part of the emergency services.
• first aidThe help given straight away to someone who is injured or suddenly ill, before a doctor, nurse or ambulance crew arrives and takes over.
• walking woundedInjured people who are still able to walk at the scene of an incident; in triage they are usually the lowest priority group.

More terms: Emergency Assessment (ABC)

• ABC
• airway
• unconscious
• responsive
• pulse
• recovery position
• primary survey
• scene safety
• life-threatening
• vital signs
• secondary survey
• AVPU