MET-TAG™ - The Standard Since 1976

The METTAG Triage System was conceived in 1975 by Robert F. Blodgett, a TACDA official and a Civil Defense Director of Jacksonville, FL, who then gave the tag to TACDA in 1976 in hopes that it would financially support TACDA's civil defense publication, the Journal of Civil Defense. Since then, millions and millions of METTAG's have sold around the world, and continue to save lives and support TACDA today. METTAG's are of the oldest and best quality triage tag in the industry. METTAG's save lives! Stock up today!

Custom tags and international shipping available! Email [email protected] for information.

 

Available Mettag Triage Tag Products -(Scroll down for detailed product information)

Click Red Buttons to Jump to Product Information

The Original MT-137 Medical Emergency Triage Tag is constructed of a high-density damage resistant synthetic material, and is printed using a special thermal printing process, allowing use in the harshest and most demanding field situations. Additionally, each Medical Emergency Triage Tag is equipped with a 30-inch elastic band, which is used for attaching the tag to the victim's body, usually around the neck or to an available limb.

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Waterproof

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Weatherproof

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Sun & Light Resistant

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Decontaminate Resistant

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Fire Resistant

A black background with a white circle in the middle.

Chemical Resistant

A group of people standing around each other.

The Standard Since 1976

Every disaster of consequence proves one thing beyond all doubt: that a simple, standard, thoroughly functional casualty triage tag is needed if we are to be serious about maximizing the survival rate of victims.

METTAG's MT-137 is the triage tag used to maximize survivors.

Tested and developed under scrutiny of doctors, nurses, firefighters, rescue personnel, industrial safety experts, travel safety directors, and civil defense specialists, the original METTAG MT-137 Triage Tag was launched in 1976.

Triage tags, of course, were nothing new even back then. Many variations of triage tags have been used over the last several decades. Most tags, though, are far too complicated for rapid first response use. The need for a simple and effective triage tag without language barriers will always exist. METTAG is committed to keeping the MT-137 as close to its initial design over 40 years ago, much to the appreciation of the professionals for whom it was developed.

NSN #: 8465013376792

MT-137 Global Use Triage Tag

The Original METTAG™ MT-137 provides first responders and rescue personnel with the standard triaging features needed to enable them to perform a prompt and accurate assessment of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) victim's injuries and to easily record the data.

Some notable features are:

  • METTAG™ manufactures the best quality tag in the market
  • Fire resistant
  • Water-proof
  • Chemical resistant
  • Tear-proof
  • UV light and heat resistant
  • A universal tool, with no language barriers, and minimal training for use
  • Standard graphic symbols and a four-color tear-off triaging system
  • Simple and effective tag for fast triaging in the field
  • Unique sequential barcodes for use of tracking and identifying victims and their belongings
  • Comes pre-strung with 30" stretch nylon string to attach to victim
  • Proudly made in the USA

MT-501 S.A.L.T. Method Triage Tag

A sample of the safety card for an ambulance.

The CDC and the National S.A.L.T. Triage Model Training of Lewis County Washington EMS Council and Fire Chiefs are shared by permission.

Introducing our new MT-501 S.A.L.T. Method Medical Emergency Triage Tag!

The MT-501 was developed by TACDA/METTAG in conjunction with Gold Cross Ambulance and follows the triaging system guidelines suggested by the NHTSA (The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.) The MT-501 integrates the S.A.L.T. algorithm which is Sort, Assess, Life-saving interventions, and Treatment/Transport in a simple and quick use format.

  • Sort - Sort the walking wounded, those calling or waving for help, and those that are not moving.
  • Assess – Assess to find life-threatening injuries. Note findings with simple yes or no answers.
  • Life-Saving Interventions – Give necessary interventions to save life. Apply tourniquets, open airways, give breaths, and administer medications, within one minute of time. Tear off the perforated sections at the bottom of the tag indicating patient level of triage.
  • Treatment/Transport – After assessing patients and giving life-saving interventions, transport patients according to urgency of need by noting color coded tear offs at the bottom of the tag which are dead, immediate, expectant, delayed and minimal.

The MT-501 Medical Emergency Triage Tag is constructed of a high-density damage resistant synthetic material, and is printed using a special thermal printing process, allowing use in the harshest and most demanding field situations. Additionally, each Medical Emergency Triage Tag is equipped with a 30-inch elastic string, which is used for attaching the tag to the victim's body, usually around the neck or to an available limb.

Product Features:

  • METTAG™ manufactures the best quality tag in the market
  • Fire resistant
  • Water-proof
  • Chemical resistant
  • Tear-proof
  • UV light and heat-resistant
  • Standard graphic symbols and a five-color tear-off triaging system
  • Simple and effective tag for fast triaging in the field
  • Unique sequential barcodes for use in tracking and identifying victims and their belongings
  • Comes pre-strung with 30" stretch nylon string to attach to victim
  • Proudly made in the USA

If you would like to be considered for a wholesale account, please call (801) 501-0077, (800) 425-5397 or email [email protected].

MT-480 S.T.A.R.T. Method Triage Tag

A sheet of paper with different colored lines on it.

METTAG's S.T.A.R.T. Triage Tag follows the recommended triage approach S.T.A.R.T. developed by Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department in 1983. S.T.A.R.T. stands for "Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment." Simple triage and rapid treatment (START) is a triage method used by first responders to quickly classify victims during a mass casualty incident (MCI) based on the severity of their injury.

MT-480 START Features:

  • Printed on durable water-resistant, chemical resistant stock paper
  • Patient transport/identifier tear-offs on each side
  • Comes pre-strung with 30" stretch nylon string to attach to victim
  • Four color tear-off triaging system
  • UV light and heat resistant
  • Simple and effective tag for fast triaging in the field
  • Empty field for custom barcodes for use of tracking and identifying victims and their belongings
  • Proudly made in the USA

For printable MT-480 START Quick Instruction Sheet click here.

For printable MT-480 START Tag Glossary of Terms click here.

For printable MT-480 START Detailed Instructions and Background click here.

For a free sample, or to be considered for a wholesale account, email [email protected] or call (800) 425-5397.

CB-100 Chemical/Biological Triage Tag

With rising concerns of how to effectively handle triage situations involving HAZMAT, terrorism, and possible use of weapons of mass destruction, the need for an alternative triage tag has emerged. The CB-100 Chemical/Biological triage tag was designed to meet the needs of the first responders to the growing complexities and dangers of the modern triage environment.

Product Features:

  • Pack of 25
  • Most advanced Triage Tag
  • Constructed of a high-density damage resistant synthetic material and used in the harshest of environments. Resists fire, water, sunlight, chemical irritants, and tearing
  • Equipped with a 30” elastic band to attach to a victim’s body
  • Each tag coded with a unique sequential bar code serial number to identify the victim and their belongings as well as body parts that may have been severed in the incident
  • The bottom portion of the CB-100 has the standard tear-offs to color code the triage status of the patient. In addition, just above these tear-offs is a Triage Status Log to show if a victim's/patient’s triage status changed during the course of an MCI.
  • Chemical / Biological / Hazmat usage
  • Decontaminate / Evacuation usage
  • A-E Triage System
  • Call 800-425-5397 for a sample

The CB-100 can be used with standard triage systems like the START method or with the A-E Triage System that is specifically designed to handle HAZMAT and terrorist incidents.

Ensure you have the most advanced chem/bio triage tag available by ordering the CB-100 Chemical/Biological Triage Tag today!

FOR WHOLESALE PRICING call (800) 425-5397 or email  [email protected].

Training Tags

The MT-137i Emergency Triage Training Tag

A picture of the front and back of an mttag.
  • Half the price of the standard MT-137 tag
  • Printed on recyclable card stock
  • For CERT and training exercises only
  • Comes pre-strung with 30" stretch nylon string to attach to victim
  • Standard graphic symbols and a four-color tear-off triaging system
  • For global use

The Instructional METTAG™ MT-137i provides first responders and rescue personnel with the standard triaging features needed for frequent trainings on a prompt and accurate assessment of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) victim's injuries and to easily record the data.

In the event of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), where multiple victims are injured and require varying degrees of medical attention, it is absolutely imperative that first responders have a quick, easy, and reliable method of assessing victims and assigning them with an appropriate triage or priority status, based on the severity of their injuries. The MT-137 Triage Tag has been tested and proven for over 40 years to provide this method.

Please note: Bar codes are non-functioning on the training tags.

 

The MT-501i S.A.L.T. Method Training Tag

A yellow and black medical record with two different designs.
  • Half the price of the MT-501 triage tag
  • Printed on recyclable card stock
  • For CERT and training exercises only
  • Comes pre-strung with 30" stretch nylon string to attach to victim

Save money on your training exercises by using paper training tags instead of the more valuable synthetic tags!

The Instructional METTAG MT-501i provides first responders and rescue personnel with the standard triaging features needed for frequent trainings on a prompt and accurate assessment of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) victim's injuries and to easily record the data.

Please note: Bar codes are non-functioning on the training tags.

To be considered for a wholesale account, please call (801) 501-0077, (800) 425-5397 or email [email protected].

Emergency Vehicle Fleet Tracking Tag

A red, yellow and green missing equipment sign.

NEW! MT-FLEET Fleet vehicle maintenance tracking

  • For tracking fleet vehicles and maintenance needs
  • Five-color tear-off organization system
  • Quick and accurate recording of vehicle status
  • Sequential numbering system

The MT-FLEET Tag is constructed of the same high-density damage resistant synthetic material used in our triage tags, as well as the same special thermal printing process, allowing use in the harshest and most demanding field situations. Additionally, each MT-FLEET Tag is equipped with a 12-inch looped elastic band, which is used for attaching the tag to the rear view mirror of the vehicle so the vehicle status and identifying number can be easily noted from outside the window.

Tag Features:

  • Fire resistant
  • Waterproof
  • Chemical resistant
  • Tear proof (except on intended perforations)
  • UV light and heat-resistant
  • Proudly made in the USA

Buy the very Best

Recognized as the STANDARD

Preferred by FD & EMS

Used World Wide

Universal Symbols

Military Approved

The Original

Become a Distributor

Since the introduction of the original MT-137 in 1976, METTAG™ has been recognized as the standard in Medical Emergency Triage, and is used throughout the U.S. and around the world.

By becoming a METTAG™ Products Authorized Distributor, your company will benefit from decades of trusted and proven use by the U.S. Government, the Military, Firefighters, EMT, Medical Personnel, and Emergency Operations Centers nationwide and worldwide.

BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR TODAY!

Contact us for pricing and availability. Email [email protected] or call 800-425-5397.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term triage originated from the French verb trier which means to sort. During the time of Napoleon, the French military used triage to serve as a battlefield clearing hospital for wounded soldiers. The U.S. military's first use of triage was during the Civil War.

A triage tag is a tool first responders and medical personnel use during a mass casualty incident. With the aid of the triage tags, the first-arriving personnel are able to effectively and efficiently distribute the limited resources and provide the necessary immediate care for the victims until more help arrives.
Triage tag - Wikipedia

At this time, the triage system was relatively basic and included only three categories: those who would live without medical attention, those who would die even with medical attention, and those who would survive only if they received medical attention.

Medical Definition of Triage

Triage: The process of sorting people based on their need for immediate medical treatment as compared to their chance of benefiting from such care. Triage is done in emergency rooms, disasters, and wars, when limited medical resources must be allocated to maximize the number of survivors.

The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) has five levels:
Level 1: Resuscitation – Conditions that are threats to life or limb
Level 2: Emergent – Conditions that are a potential threat to life, limb or function
Level 3: Urgent – Serious conditions that require emergency intervention
Level 4: Less urgent – Conditions that relate to patient distress or potential complications that would benefit from intervention
Level 5: Non-urgent – Conditions that are non-urgent or that may be part of a chronic problem

Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale | Montfort

A MET TAG is a Medical Emergency Triage Tag. By utilizing standard graphic symbols and a four-color tear-off triaging system, the Standard Medical Emergency Field Triage tag (MT-137) is truly a universal tool, in that it presents no language or literacy barriers, and can be used in the field by anyone, of any nationality, with minimal training or hands-on experience. A policy of using METTAG™ products in day-to-day emergencies will automatically establish familiarity and provide faster and more effective victim triaging in the event of an actual MCI or other emergency.

Medical Definition of Triage

Triage: The process of sorting people based on their need for immediate medical treatment as compared to their chance of benefiting from such care. Triage is done in emergency rooms, disasters, and wars, when limited medical resources must be allocated to maximize the number of survivors.
Definition of Triage - MedicineNet