In Tactical Combat Casualty Care, which phase is described as 'Care under fire' — under effective hostile fire?

• A. Tactical Evacuation care - care given en route
• B. Care under fire - under effective hostile fire
• C. Tactical Field Care - no longer under effective fire
• D. Care under fire - under no active fire

Answer: (B)

The phase being tested is the one where care is provided while you and the casualty are under direct, effective hostile fire. In this situation, you must deliver lifesaving measures quickly and with minimal risk to yourself, prioritizing control of life-threatening bleeding and getting the casualty to safety as soon as possible. Because fire is ongoing, you work to stay low, use cover, and perform only the most essential interventions that will save a life now, rather than a full assessment or definitive treatment.

This phase ends when the threat is reduced or no longer active, at which point you shift to Tactical Field Care, where you can conduct a more thorough assessment and administer broader treatments in a safer environment. If the casualty is being moved to or through a danger zone for evacuation, that’s Tactical Evacuation Care, which occurs during transport.

So, the description matches care under fire: care delivered under effective hostile fire, with the priority on immediate lifesaving steps and rapid movement to cover or safer ground.