In TCCC, what is the primary reason for limited care during Care Under Fire?

In Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), the primary reason for limited care during the Care Under Fire phase is to maintain situational awareness and minimize exposure to hostile fire. During this critical phase, a combat medic or corpsman operates in a high-risk environment where enemy threats are present. The focus is on ensuring the safety of both the casualty and the medic, as well as the overall tactical situation.

In this scenario, administering extensive medical interventions may divert attention from assessing the surroundings and responding to immediate threats. It is crucial to maintain awareness of potential dangers while determining whether the environment is safe enough to provide care. Thus, the emphasis is placed on quickly addressing any life-threatening injuries using the simplest methods and evacuating the casualty as soon as possible, rather than performing comprehensive treatment. This approach is vital to enhance survival chances for the casualty while ensuring the medic remains safe and prepared to respond to ongoing threats.