What are the three phases of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)?

The three phases of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) are critical components designed to provide comprehensive care to wounded soldiers in combat situations.

Care Under Fire refers to the initial treatment delivered while in the presence of enemy fire. In this phase, the focus is on controlling life-threatening hemorrhage while minimizing risk to the provider, emphasizing the importance of safety and immediate actions to reduce fatalities on the battlefield.

Tactical Field Care is the second phase that takes place once the casualty is no longer under immediate threat from enemy fire. This phase allows for more advanced medical interventions, like airway management and further assessment of injuries, as well as more comprehensive care that can stabilize the patient for evacuation.

Tactical Evacuation Care follows the field phase, occurring during the evacuation of the casualty from the battlefield to a medical facility. Here, providers continue to monitor and treat injuries while ensuring that the casualty is transported safely and quickly to a higher level of care.

Understanding all three phases is essential for effective combat casualty care, as each stage has unique considerations and requires different medical interventions and tactical considerations. Thus, recognizing that all these components are integral to TCCC's success is why the answer encompasses all three phases.