Special Operations Forces Combat Casualty Care

This handbook was previously distributed as a supplement to the Journal of Special Operations Medicine. The realm of special operations forces (SOF) medicine is a unique and ever-changing one that demands specialized training for our joint SOF. Managing trauma on today’s battlefield presents a dynamic array of challenges where limited resources can be rapidly overwhelmed. An austere environment, hostile gunfire, and delays in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) are the norms for the special operations medic.

The material in this handbook was gleaned from special operations medics operating in the Global War on Terrorism and other operational environments. It should not be viewed as a substitute for the professional training and judgment of special operations medics; rather, it is designed to be a hip-pocket reference on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) of SOF-relevant tactical combat casualty care.