What is defined as Tactical Field Care?

Tactical Field Care refers to the phase of care that occurs after the initial explosive threat has diminished, allowing for a safer environment to provide medical assistance. This phase is characterized by the ability to assess and treat patients more thoroughly than in an immediate, high-risk situation. The focus is on stabilizing the injured and preventing further deterioration of their condition, utilizing the resources available in a somewhat secure environment. This encompasses managing airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock, among other essential interventions.

In contrast, care performed during active shooting aligns with immediate tactical scenarios, not the defined period of Tactical Field Care. Care administered only in medical facilities does not apply, as Tactical Field Care takes place at the incident site rather than in hospitals. Immediate care at the point of injury is more representative of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), which involves urgent life-saving measures right at the moment an injury occurs, rather than the subsequent field care that is undertaken when the environment allows for more deliberate intervention.