1-3.
PERFORMING CARE UNDER FIRE
Care under fire is rendered at the scene of the injury while you, the combat
lifesaver, and the casualty are still under effective hostile fire. In such a situation, you
should perform the following.
a. Return fire as directed or required before providing medical treatment.
b. Determine if casualty is alive or dead.
c. Provide tactical care to the live casualty. Reducing or eliminating enemy fire
may be more important to the casualty's survival than the treatment you can provide.
(1)
Suppress enemy fire.
(2)
Use cover or concealment (smoke).
(3) Direct the casualty to return fire, move to cover, and administer self-aid
(stop bleeding), if possible. If the casualty is unable to move and you are unable to
move the casualty to cover and the casualty is still under direct enemy fire, have
casualty "play dead."
(4)
Keep the casualty from sustaining additional wounds.
(5)
Reassure the casualty.
d. If you decide you can safely move the casualty to a safe area, you may need
to administer life-saving care (tourniquet to stop bleeding) before moving the casualty.
(1) If casualty is unresponsive, move the casualty and his weapon to cover
as the tactical situation permits.
NOTE:
If the casualty has equipment that is essential to the mission, move the
mission-essential equipment also. Do not try to move equipment that is not
mission essential.
(2) If the casualty has severe bleeding from a limb or has suffered
amputation of a limb, administer life-saving hemorrhage control (apply a tourniquet)
before moving the casualty.
NOTE:
You must determine the relative threat of the tactical situation versus the risk
to the casualty. Can you remove the casualty to a place of relative safety
without becoming a casualty yourself? Is the casualty safer where he is?
If possible, seek assistance from your leader.
IS0871
1-3
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