What is the primary focus of action in Care Under Fire (CUF)?

The primary focus of action in Care Under Fire (CUF) is scene safety. During this phase, the medic or corpsman prioritizes ensuring their own safety as well as that of the patient. The environment may be hostile, and immediate care must be provided in a way that minimizes the risk of further injury from combat situations.

In CUF, the medic may be limited in the interventions they can provide due to the unsafe conditions. Therefore, the emphasis is on quickly assessing the situation, providing life-saving interventions if possible, and planning for extraction or additional care once the scene is secure.

While patient comfort, documenting injuries, and gathering supplies are important aspects of care in more stable environments, they do not take precedence in the high-risk context of Care Under Fire. The focus remains on addressing immediate threats to safety first and foremost.