2-2.
ACTIONS BEFORE APPROACHING THE CASUALTY
Take the following actions before approaching the casualty on the battlefield.
Remember to protect yourself.
a. Scan the area for potential danger.
(1)
Survey the area for small arms fire.
(2)
Detect area for fire or explosive devices.
(3)
Determine threat for chemical or biological agents.
(4)
Survey buildings, if any, for structural stability.
b. Determine the best route of access to the casualty and the best route of
egress. If you need to move the casualty to a safer area, be sure to select an area that
provides optimum cover and concealment. Plan your evacuation route prior to exposing
yourself to possible hostile fire.
c. Request covering fire to reduce the risk to yourself and the casualty during
movement to and from the casualty's location.
d. Anticipate the type of injuries the casualty may have received and what care
will probably be needed. Did the casualty fall from a wall (broken bones)? Was there
an explosion (blast effects)? Was there only small arms fire (bleeding wounds)?
e. Anticipate how your actions (movement, noise, light, and so forth) may affect
the enemy's fire.
f. Decide what care you can administer to the casualty when you reach him and
what care will have to wait until you have returned the casualty to a place of safety.
2-3.
INITIAL ACTIONS
Remember, if you and the casualty are still under effective hostile fire, return fire
as directed or required. Do not expose yourself to enemy fire in order to provide care.
a. If possible, determine if casualty is alive or dead.
b Provide tactical care to the live casualty.
(1) Suppress enemy fire. Reducing enemy fire may be more important to
the casualty's survival than the treatment you can provide.
IS0871
2-2
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