LESSON 6
REMOVING CASUALTIES FROM TACTICAL VEHICLES
6-1.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
In combat, you could be confronted with a situation in which the casualty to
be treated and evacuated is inside a tactical vehicle. Armored vehicles that are
disabled or stationary present an inviting target to the enemy. Also, a disabled vehicle
which has been fired upon may explode due to the explosives and fuel carried in the
vehicle. Two or more persons should aid in extricating (freeing) casualties to speed the
rescue effort. When possible, lifesaving procedures, such as applying a tourniquet to
control severe bleeding, and packaging procedures, such as applying a short spine
board to a casualty with a fractured neck, should be performed before removing the
casualty from the vehicle. The general principles listed below are applicable to all
tactical vehicles and also to vehicle accidents that occur on city streets or on highways.
Paragraphs 6-2 through 6-4 give instructions for specific tactical vehicles, but similar
procedures can be used to remove casualties from other tracked and wheeled vehicles.
a. Gain access to the casualty. If there is more than one casualty, perform a
quick triage to determine which casualty should be removed first.
b. Administer any lifesaving measures that are needed, if possible.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is on fire or in immediate danger of exploding, remove the
casualty and yourself to safety before administering medical care.]
c. Free the casualty. You may need to remove objects that are trapping the
casualty in the vehicle.
d. Prepare. Prepare (package) the casualty for extrication (apply spine boards,
etc.), if needed and if the situation allows.
e. Remove the casualty from the vehicle.
f. Provide additional medical care, as needed.
g. Transport the casualty to a medical treatment facility for further evaluation
and treatment.
MD0001
6-2