Which statement describes a Yellow Mechanism criterion involving a motor vehicle?

• A. Rider separated from transport vehicle with significant impact
• B. Death in the passenger compartment
• C. Significant intrusion (>12 inches)
• D. Partial or complete ejection

Answer: (A)

Mechanism of injury guides triage by signaling how much energy was transferred to the body, which helps predict potential injuries even before findings appear. Yellow Mechanism criteria indicate a serious but not immediately life-threatening risk, prompting thorough assessment and rapid transport without automatically labeling the patient in immediate danger.

The statement about a rider separated from the vehicle with significant impact fits this category because it shows a high-energy event with potential hidden injuries, yet it isn’t as definitive a red flag as the other classic red criteria. In contrast, events like death inside the vehicle, significant intrusion into the passenger compartment, or partial/complete ejection imply a higher likelihood of life-threatening trauma and are categorized as red mechanisms. Therefore, the rider separated from the vehicle with significant impact best matches the Yellow Mechanism description.