Which of the following is a priority during Tactical Field Care for a casualty?

During Tactical Field Care, one of the most critical priorities is securing and maintaining an open airway for a casualty. The airway is paramount because without it, a person cannot breathe, leading to hypoxia and rapid deterioration of their condition. Ensuring that the airway is clear allows for effective ventilation and oxygenation, which is essential to stabilize the casualty before any further treatment or evacuation can take place.

While documentation, psychological support, and evacuation are important components of casualty care, they come after ensuring the casualty can breathe properly. Documentation helps with reporting and improving future responses, psychological support is crucial for the casualty’s mental state, and evacuation is necessary for advanced medical care; however, none of these can take precedence over the immediate need to secure the airway. Failure to prioritize airway management can result in death or irreversible injury, reinforcing why it must be addressed first during Tactical Field Care.