Tactical Combat Casualty Care

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) principles have been credited with achieving the lowest death rate in recorded US military conflict. Though initially designed for military casualties, their use is appropriate for any traumatic casualty in a tactical or austere environment as would be seen by medical providers in support of law enforcement tactical teams.
"Prehospital trauma care performed on the battlefield differs markedly from that performed in the civilian sector. Treatment guidelines developed for the civilian setting do not necessarily translate well to the tactical environment and may result in preventable deaths and unnecessary additional casualties if the tactical environment is not considered when rendering care. The austere nature of the tactical environment must be considered in developing the treatment plan. Simplicity is key. Equipment required to execute the plan must also be simple, light, and rugged."
Tactical Combat Casualty Care 2007: Evolving Concepts and Battlefield Experience

Tactical Combat Casualty Care principles are endorsed by both the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Never before have both organizations supported the same treatment guidelines. These principles are becoming the driving force for medical decision making and treatment in tactical law enforcement operations. All tactical medics in support of LEO teams should be intimately familiar with these principles.

This 48 hour course will cover the entire spectrum of Tactical Combat Casualty Care principles and teach the tactical operator with medical training to perform appropriate medical care skills in hostile and austere conditions. This course exceeds the curriculum of both the US Army�s Combat Lifesaver and Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training courses.

Topics will include, but are not limited too:

• Wounding patterns seen in tactical operations
• Care priorities during the care under fire, tactical field care, and casualty evacuation phases
• Hemorrhage control options - tourniquets, wound packing, and Hemcon (chitosan) dressings
• Airway management positioning, airway adjuncts (nasal pharyngeal, King LT), surgical airways
• Management of penetrating chest trauma - needle decompression, occlusive dressings
• Proper use of intravenous / intraosseous access, appropriate administration of Hextend and IV fluid
• Casualty movement - manual carries, drags, evacuation with Talon II and Skedco litters
• Role of pain management and antibiotics in a tactical environment

Student Testimonials