In Care Under Fire (CUF), what is the number one medical priority?

In Care Under Fire (CUF), the number one medical priority is the control of life-threatening external hemorrhage. In this phase of Tactical Combat Casualty Care, the environment is typically dangerous and requires a focus on immediate threats to life. The primary concern for a combat medic or corpsman is to stop severe bleeding, as uncontrolled hemorrhage can lead to rapid death.

By prioritizing the control of external hemorrhage, urgency is emphasized on applying direct pressure, utilizing a tourniquet, or other effective measures to minimize blood loss. This critical action can drastically improve the chances of survival for the injured personnel before they can be moved to a safer area for further care. Addressing bleeding first ensures that the individual can endure the subsequent steps in the TCCC protocol, such as evacuation and advanced medical interventions, without succumbing to blood loss before reaching definitive medical care.