Where appropriate, a minimum-better-best format is included for situations in which the operational reality precludes optimal care for a given scenario:

- Minimum: This is the minimum level of care which should be delivered for a specified level of capability
- Better: When available or practical, this includes treatment strategies or adjuncts that improve outcomes while still not considered the standard of care.
- Best: This is the optimal medical for a given scenario based on the level of medical expertise of the provider

Expectations of prehospital care, based on TCCC's role-based standard of care, are included within each section:

- Tier 1: This is the basic medical knowledge for all service-members.
- Tier 2: Those who have been through approved CLS training are expected to be able to meet the standards at this level of care.
- Tier 3 (Combat Medics/Corpsmen [CMC]): Those who are trained medics/corpsmen are expected to meet the medical standards for this tier.
- Tier 4 (Combat Paramedic/Provider [CPP]): This is the highest level of prehospital capability and will have a significantly expanded scope of practice.