Which phase of TCCC specifically focuses on stopping life-threatening bleeding?

The focus of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) framework is to provide care in a combat environment, ensuring that life-threatening conditions are managed promptly. The phase that specifically addresses stopping life-threatening bleeding is to apply a tourniquet.

This phase emphasizes the importance of controlling severe hemorrhage, which is critical in preventing death from blood loss. Applying a tourniquet quickly and effectively is a key intervention when bleeding is severe enough to pose an immediate threat to life. The technique involves placing a tourniquet above the wound site and tightening it to completely obstruct blood flow, thereby facilitating the body's chances of survival until further medical treatment can be provided.

Other phases, such as self-aid and buddy aid, involve initial steps of providing care to oneself or helping a fellow soldier, but they do not specifically highlight the action of directly stopping severe bleeding like the application of a tourniquet does. Returning fire focuses on immediate actions concerning combat conditions rather than medical interventions. Moving to safety is an essential tactical response but is more about ensuring the safety of personnel rather than addressing bleeding directly. Therefore, the application of a tourniquet is the definitive action associated with managing life-threatening bleeding in TCCC.