Page 19 - 2022 Ranger Medic Handbook

SCOPE OF PRACTICE
CASUALTY RESPONSE SYSTEM – The Regiment’s solution for managing combat casualties is to recognize that the
problem is solved by the entire unit, not just medics, and that a casualty can occur during any phase of an operation.
The principles of the casualty response system are the first responder to a casualty can be any Ranger in the unit; that SECTION 1
medical personnel manage casualty care; and that leaders run the mission. When a casualty is incurred, it immediately
becomes a component of the unit’s mission to extract, treat, and evacuate the casualty while still completing the assigned
combat mission as an integrated team. Thus, every member of the unit must maintain first responder medical skills, med-
ics must be highly proficient, and leaders must know how to properly integrate casualty management into any phase of
an operation.
RANGER FIRST RESPONDER (RFR) – An RFR is the baseline for all Rangers. This level of training equips all Rangers with
treatment skills as a secondary mission to their primary mission role. The RFR medical capability provides a tactical com-
bat casualty care skillset with specific trauma skills. An RFR is always trained and employed in conjunction with a Platoon
Medic or higher but has the skillset to provide basic medical interventions independent of any trained medical personnel.
This skillset will be trained and verified annually.

The 8 Critical RFR Tasks
Contain Scene and Assess Casualties
CARE UNDER FIRE Rapidly Identify and Control Massive Hemorrhage
Return fire and secure scene
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Direct casualties to cover
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Evaluate for life-threatening injuries
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Triage – immediate, delayed, minimal, expectant
Call medical personnel for assistance as required
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Direct & indirect pressure
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Tourniquet
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° Inspect and Ensure Patent Airway SECTION 6
Emergency trauma dressing
TACTICAL FIELD CARE Treat Life-Threatening Torso Injuries
Open and clear airway
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Nasopharyngeal airway
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Occlusive seal dressing
Needle decompression
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Abdominal wound management
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Head-to-toe blood sweeps
° Inspect for Bleeding, Gain IV Access, Manage Shock
18-Gauge saline lock
IV fluids when dictated by shock
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TACTICAL EVACUATION Control Pain and Prevent Infection
Prevent hypothermia
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Combat wound pill pack
Aid and Litter Team
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Package and prepare for transfer
SKEDCO, litters, manual carries
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Leader Coordinated Evacuation
Request & coordinate evacuation asset and establish evacuation site (HLZ)
Casualty precedence – critical (urgent), priority, routine CASEVAC or MEDEVAC coordination
° ° ° Command & control of casualty evacuation integrated with ongoing combat operation
2022 RANGER MEDIC HANDBOOK 5