Which phase of TCCC focuses on immediate care during direct combat?

The phase that emphasizes immediate care during direct combat is Care Under Fire. This phase is critical because it occurs when a casualty is exposed to hostilities, and both the medic and the casualty are under the threat of enemy fire. The priority in this phase is to ensure the safety of both the casualty and the responding personnel. The focus is not on performing comprehensive medical procedures; rather, it is about providing life-saving interventions that can be executed while still under fire, such as applying a tourniquet if needed or administering return fire where necessary. The strategies and actions taken during this phase are designed to minimize the risk of further harm to both the casualty and the rescue personnel while preparing for more extensive care in subsequent phases.

The other phases serve different purposes. For instance, Casualty Evacuation occurs after the immediate threats have been dealt with and is focused on getting the casualty to a location where they can receive more comprehensive treatment. Tactical Field Care is a phase that follows Care Under Fire and allows for more extensive medical intervention when the environment is more secure. Pre-Medical Intervention is not a recognized phase within TCCC but could refer to preparations or assessments prior to delivering care.