code black

Severe medical alert

Code black is a hospital emergency announcement indicating a bomb threat or, in some systems, a patient death or mass casualty event.

The meaning varies by institution—some hospitals use it for violent situations or missing patients.

Like other color codes (code blue for cardiac arrest, code red for fire), it communicates urgency to staff without alarming visitors: Security reported a code black in the east wing.

threat

bomb threat

Claim of planted explosive

evacuationRemoval from danger
lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
securityProtection from threat

intruder · active shooter · terrorism · safety protocol · emergency response · first responders · shelter in place · all clear · security breach · threat assessment

hospital

cardiac arrest

Abrupt cessation of circulation

resuscitationRestoring vital functions
CPREmergency revival technique
defibrillatorHeart-shocking medical device

crash cart · flatline · emergency · triage · ICU · trauma · medical emergency · lifesaving · critical care · emergency response

weather

tornado warning

Imminent vortex notification

cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
hurricaneViolent tropical windstorm
natural disasterCatastrophic environmental event

emergency shelter · power outage · disaster response · emergency management · mass casualty · civil emergency

severity

critical

Expressing disapproval or importance

direExtremely serious or urgent
catastrophicCausing complete destruction
life-threateningRisking death

extreme · grave · worst-case · crisis mode · all hands · urgent · acute · imminent danger · red alert · escalation

code black

bomb threat

cardiac arrest

tornado warning

critical

code black

Opposites

Categories

Family