Although extraction scenarios will vary based on unit, mission, and vehicle types, a couple of principles apply universally.

SAFETY

The first principle is safety. Avoid additional casualties during any attempts at extraction. Extraction scenarios present many hazards, including fire, smoke, secondary explosions, instability of damaged vehicles or buildings, etc. 

MARCH

The second principle is to remember that the MARCH treatment priorities still apply and do not change because the casualty scenario requires extraction. If lifesaving treatments like tourniquet application can be done before completing the extraction, they should be done and monitored during the extraction process. If the casualty is in a position where access to provide immediate lifesaving treatments can’t be accomplished, then they need to be extracted as quickly as is safely possible.

TRAINING

The third principle is training.  It is important for both medical and nonmedical personnel to gain and maintain proficiency in extraction of casualties from unit-specific vehicles through training before and during deployments. The time to learn and establish battle drills is before deployment and before the mission.