Tactical Evacuation Care (TACEVAC) is the care rendered once the casualty has been picked up by an aircraft, ground vehicle, or other evacuation platform. It continues the care for the casualty started in the earlier phases of care.
TACEVAC is similar to TFC in many ways. However, the extra medical personnel and equipment on the evacuation asset may enable provision of additional care in this phase of casualty management.
The term “Tactical Evacuation” encompasses Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). Nonmedical first responders or CLSs are not expected to care for casualties during evacuation. However, if it does happen, the approach (MARCH PAWS) and skills learned for CUF and TFC apply.
The key principle in TACEVAC is that monitoring with appropriate assessment and treatment MUST be continued until the casualty is handed off to medical personnel or arrives at a higher level of care.
Pre-evacuation procedures include ensuring that all assessment and care rendered in CUF and TFC have been documented by the first responder or CLS on the DD Form 1380 TCCC card.
An evacuation request using the 9-line format is communicated per unit Standard Operating Procedures to initiate MEDEVAC. The 9-line MEDEVAC request includes a MIST (Mechanism of injury, Injuries, Symptoms, and Treatment) report.
Before evacuation, the casualty must be packaged for evacuation, items (weapons, equipment, etc.,) secured, litter and evacuation equipment prepared, etc.