What is the first phase of TCCC?

The first phase of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) is Care Under Fire. This phase is critical because it addresses the life-threatening situations that occur during active combat. During Care Under Fire, the primary focus is on the protection of both the wounded individual and the responding medic or first responder.

In this phase, the primary objective is to provide care while minimizing exposure to enemy fire. Medics are taught to control bleeding and prevent further injury with the understanding that it may be necessary to move to a safer location in order to provide more extensive care. Decisions made during this phase are crucial as they can significantly impact the survival of the casualty.

Understanding this phase is vital for anyone involved in combat medical care since it establishes the groundwork for the principles and procedures that follow in the subsequent phases of TCCC, which focus more on providing definitive care once the immediate threat is mitigated.