TCCC is organized into Phases of Care that start at the point of injury. These phases are relevant to combat and noncombat trauma scenarios:
- Care Under Fire, or Care Under Threat, is the aid rendered at the trauma scene while the threat is still active. Available medical equipment is limited to that carried by an individual or found in a nearby first aid kit. Massive bleeding is the only medical priority that requires your attention during this phase, as you are actively dealing with an ongoing threat in a potentially chaotic and dangerous situation.
- Tactical Field Care (TFC) is the care provided once the threat has been neutralized and/or the scene is safe or the casualty has moved/been moved out of the immediate threat situation. During this phase, a rapid casualty assessment should be performed. Bleeding control should be assessed/reassessed, and airway/breathing issues addressed. Other injuries such as burns, fractures, eye trauma, and head injuries should now be identified and treated. Medical equipment is still limited. Time to arrival of medical personnel or evacuation may vary considerably, depending on the tactical situation, etc.
- Tactical Evacuation Care (TACEVAC) is the care rendered during and once the casualty has been moved by an aircraft, vehicle, or other mode of transportation for evacuation to a higher level of care. Additional medical personnel and equipment are typically available in this phase of casualty care.
Remember: The goal of the CLS in TCCC is to rapidly assess casualties to identify and treat potentially life-threatening injuries to keep them alive long enough to reach a higher level of medical care.