Requesting Medical Evacuation OBJECTIVES: -- Discuss How to prepare a Medical Evacuation request via...

Requesting Medical Requesting Medical EvacuationEvacuation

OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES:-- -- Discuss How to prepare a Medical Discuss How to prepare a Medical Evacuation request via FM radioEvacuation request via FM radio

-- Discuss usage of Brevity codes -- Discuss usage of Brevity codes

-- Issues surrounding Medevacs in Training -- Issues surrounding Medevacs in Training versus Theater operations.versus Theater operations.

Requesting Medical Requesting Medical Evacuation (Cont’d)Evacuation (Cont’d)

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW MEDEVAC and CASEVAC are two different terms. MEDEVAC and CASEVAC are two different terms. MEDEVAC is the evacuation of casualties using a MEDEVAC is the evacuation of casualties using a

dedicated military medical vehicle ( M997/M996 dedicated military medical vehicle ( M997/M996 FLA, Air Ambulance )and Medical personnel are FLA, Air Ambulance )and Medical personnel are aboard to monitor casualty.aboard to monitor casualty.

CASEVAC is the evacuation of casualties using CASEVAC is the evacuation of casualties using non-medical vehicles. The units CLS may non-medical vehicles. The units CLS may accompany the casualty on a CASEVAC to where accompany the casualty on a CASEVAC to where the patient is going. ( Example: 1SG’s vehicle, the patient is going. ( Example: 1SG’s vehicle, CDR’s Bradley, Supplies M113A3, or CDR’s Bradley, Supplies M113A3, or Maintenance HEMMNT). Maintenance HEMMNT).


A Medevac is transmitted over the SINGARS A Medevac is transmitted over the SINGARS radio , on a dedicated frequency, requesting that radio , on a dedicated frequency, requesting that medical evacuation take place to remove your medical evacuation take place to remove your casualty from the battlefield. casualty from the battlefield.

A standard, special, pre-set format is already A standard, special, pre-set format is already established by the medical community and used established by the medical community and used world-wide. So an RTO in Kabul, a Contractor on world-wide. So an RTO in Kabul, a Contractor on range Control in FT Drum, NY, and a Medic range Control in FT Drum, NY, and a Medic sending one from Baghdad will all be using the sending one from Baghdad will all be using the same format. same format.

The format request will dispatch either a The format request will dispatch either a wheeled or an air ambulance depending upon wheeled or an air ambulance depending upon the location, distance, and mission make up. the location, distance, and mission make up.


Sometimes a MEDEVAC/CASEVAC cannot Sometimes a MEDEVAC/CASEVAC cannot be conducted due to Mission phase. be conducted due to Mission phase.

Sometimes it will be impossible due to Sometimes it will be impossible due to weather, or enemy fire to evacuate a weather, or enemy fire to evacuate a

casualty when requested. If this is the casualty when requested. If this is the case, you as the CLS need to monitor and case, you as the CLS need to monitor and

take care of the patient until the take care of the patient until the Command can evacuate the casualty.Command can evacuate the casualty.

The Mission and the fighting does not The Mission and the fighting does not stop due to an injury.stop due to an injury. The Mission will The Mission will

always come first!!!always come first!!!


PROPER CLASSIFICATIONPROPER CLASSIFICATION Proper casualty classification is needed to ensure that Proper casualty classification is needed to ensure that

the casualties get picked up in the right order.the casualties get picked up in the right order. What you think is critical may not be critical What you think is critical may not be critical

compared to another casualty in another location compared to another casualty in another location with a more severe wound. with a more severe wound.

(Example: You have a casualty who was in a vehicle (Example: You have a casualty who was in a vehicle roll-over, and has a broken leg, broken arm, and roll-over, and has a broken leg, broken arm, and minor head wounds, but alert and oriented. In minor head wounds, but alert and oriented. In another location another casualty may have suffered another location another casualty may have suffered an explosive IED, and has a traumatic amputation of an explosive IED, and has a traumatic amputation of the leg, and has lost blood, and needs surgery the leg, and has lost blood, and needs surgery immediately.)immediately.)

SO CLASSIFY THEM CORRECTLY!!SO CLASSIFY THEM CORRECTLY!!


Over classificationOver classification This is the Medic or the CLS’ This is the Medic or the CLS’

tendency to classify a wound as being tendency to classify a wound as being more severe than it is, thereby more severe than it is, thereby causing an improper receiving of causing an improper receiving of patients. patients.

Over classification has historically Over classification has historically been, and IS still a continuing been, and IS still a continuing problem. problem.


Preparing a MEDEVAC requestPreparing a MEDEVAC request Each line has a number Brevity codeEach line has a number Brevity code This keeps Medevac requests quick, thereby This keeps Medevac requests quick, thereby

helping to clear the channel up for the next one helping to clear the channel up for the next one coming in, and also to help reduce the chance of coming in, and also to help reduce the chance of jamming by the enemy. jamming by the enemy.

You should utilize “Breaks” after every line. You should utilize “Breaks” after every line. There are two formats. One for Peacetime and one There are two formats. One for Peacetime and one

for wartime. You’ll be taught the WARTIME one.for wartime. You’ll be taught the WARTIME one. Before an Air Ambulance lifts off the ground or Before an Air Ambulance lifts off the ground or

will launch, lines 1-5 must be transmitted. The will launch, lines 1-5 must be transmitted. The rest can be transmitted to the ground or air rest can be transmitted to the ground or air ambulance while they are en-route if time/mission ambulance while they are en-route if time/mission doesn’t permit. doesn’t permit.


““I have a MEDEVAC request . I have a MEDEVAC request . Over”Over”

““Unit on Medevac frequency stand Unit on Medevac frequency stand by…Break…Unit on Medevac by…Break…Unit on Medevac frequency send your request frequency send your request

utilizing MEDEVAC format over.”utilizing MEDEVAC format over.”

““Line 1……”Line 1……”


Line 1 (Pickup Site)Line 1 (Pickup Site) A lot of times the grid coordinates where the incident A lot of times the grid coordinates where the incident

occurs is given– as opposed to the place where the occurs is given– as opposed to the place where the helicopter will land and pick up the patient ( or where helicopter will land and pick up the patient ( or where the FLA will meet up with the patrol)the FLA will meet up with the patrol)

““Line 1: PY 93408765. I say again PY93408765. Break”Line 1: PY 93408765. I say again PY93408765. Break”

(Example: An engineering unit is blowing up a bridge in (Example: An engineering unit is blowing up a bridge in the woods. A blasting cap goes off pre-maturely and the woods. A blasting cap goes off pre-maturely and amputates the hand of an engineer. A Medevac request amputates the hand of an engineer. A Medevac request is shot off using the locations grid co-ordinates. The is shot off using the locations grid co-ordinates. The nearest landing zone is 2 Klicks away. What do you do in nearest landing zone is 2 Klicks away. What do you do in this situation?)this situation?)


Answer:Answer: As soon as you realize the mistake, As soon as you realize the mistake,

contact the air ambulance via contact the air ambulance via SINGARS and inform them of the SINGARS and inform them of the change in Grid Co-ordinates. Send change in Grid Co-ordinates. Send someone immediately to the LZ to someone immediately to the LZ to set it up. Then package the patient set it up. Then package the patient and get there quickly– you have a and get there quickly– you have a bird enroute. If the area is a HOT bird enroute. If the area is a HOT area, he won’t wait around for your area, he won’t wait around for your casualty. casualty.


Line 2 ( Radio Frequency/Call Sign/Suffix)Line 2 ( Radio Frequency/Call Sign/Suffix) All of this Information can be obtained from your All of this Information can be obtained from your

SOI/ANCD.SOI/ANCD. ““Line 2: This is W64M on 2-0-8-0-0. Break”Line 2: This is W64M on 2-0-8-0-0. Break” This is needed because once you clear the This is needed because once you clear the

MEDEVAC frequency, you will go back to your MEDEVAC frequency, you will go back to your units frequency, and it is there that the air/ground units frequency, and it is there that the air/ground ambulance will link up with you via SINGARS. Any ambulance will link up with you via SINGARS. Any additional information you think they need can be additional information you think they need can be then given. then given.

This is also so that when the ambulance is This is also so that when the ambulance is approaching you it can verify to you what signal approaching you it can verify to you what signal you are using. (For example if you pop smoke, they you are using. (For example if you pop smoke, they will call out the color. If that’s not the color, you will call out the color. If that’s not the color, you need to tell them to wave off, and not to land.)need to tell them to wave off, and not to land.)


Line 3 ( #of Casualties by Precedence)Line 3 ( #of Casualties by Precedence) ““Line 3: 4 alpha- break. 2 Charlie- break”Line 3: 4 alpha- break. 2 Charlie- break” (a) URGENT-(a) URGENT- Emergencies that need to be seen within 2 hours in Emergencies that need to be seen within 2 hours in

order to save Life, Limb, or Eyesight. order to save Life, Limb, or Eyesight. (b) URGENT SURGICAL-(b) URGENT SURGICAL- Emergency cases that need to be Emergency cases that need to be

evacuated within 2 hours to the nearest surgical unit.evacuated within 2 hours to the nearest surgical unit. (c) PRIORTIY-(c) PRIORTIY- Sick or wounded casualties that need to be Sick or wounded casualties that need to be

evacuated within 4 hours or their medical condition will evacuated within 4 hours or their medical condition will deteriorate and become an Urgentdeteriorate and become an Urgent

(d) ROUTINE(d) ROUTINE – Sick or wounded casualties requiring evacuation, – Sick or wounded casualties requiring evacuation, but whose condition is not expected to deteriorate significantly. but whose condition is not expected to deteriorate significantly. They need evacuation in 24 hours. They need evacuation in 24 hours.

(e) CONVENIENT(e) CONVENIENT – Persons being evacuated for medical – Persons being evacuated for medical convenience rather than necessity. ( example: A scheduled dental convenience rather than necessity. ( example: A scheduled dental appointment, or Unit PA requests that the soldier be evacuated for appointment, or Unit PA requests that the soldier be evacuated for follow up treatment). follow up treatment).


Line 4 ( Special Equipment Line 4 ( Special Equipment needed ) needed )

““Line 4: 1 O2 bottle, 1 backboard, and 1 C-Line 4: 1 O2 bottle, 1 backboard, and 1 C-collar replacement. Break”collar replacement. Break”

If there is no Brevity code, then use If there is no Brevity code, then use nomenclature and quantity.nomenclature and quantity.

(a) none(a) none (b) Hoist(b) Hoist (c) Extraction equipment(c) Extraction equipment (d) ventilator(d) ventilator


Line 5 ( # of Casualties by Type )Line 5 ( # of Casualties by Type ) (A)= # of Ambulatory (L)= # of Litter(A)= # of Ambulatory (L)= # of Litter ““Line 5: 3 Alpha and 3 Lima. Break”Line 5: 3 Alpha and 3 Lima. Break” Based on the number of patients and their wounds. Based on the number of patients and their wounds.

Determine which need to go on a litter, and which Determine which need to go on a litter, and which can be seated during the evacuation. This aids the can be seated during the evacuation. This aids the Evacuation element in configuring the MEDEVAC Evacuation element in configuring the MEDEVAC asset correctly. asset correctly.

This will also help them determine how many This will also help them determine how many vehicles/helicopters to send to your site. There is vehicles/helicopters to send to your site. There is nothing more frustrating than a wasted vehicle on nothing more frustrating than a wasted vehicle on a MEDEVAC– Someone else could have been a MEDEVAC– Someone else could have been evacuated in that vehicleevacuated in that vehicle..


Line 6: (Security of Pick up Site)Line 6: (Security of Pick up Site) ““Line 6: X-ray. I repeat X-ray. Break”Line 6: X-ray. I repeat X-ray. Break” This again is METT-T driven, and the assessment This again is METT-T driven, and the assessment

will be given by your units leader. They will make will be given by your units leader. They will make the tactical assessment of the site based upon the tactical assessment of the site based upon their evaluation of the situation. their evaluation of the situation.

This information is critical in determining This information is critical in determining whether the Ambulance ( air/ground) will need whether the Ambulance ( air/ground) will need escorts to go along for security. escorts to go along for security.

(N) No enemy troops in area(N) No enemy troops in area (P) Possibly enemy troops in area; approach with (P) Possibly enemy troops in area; approach with

cautioncaution (E) Enemy troops in area; approach with caution(E) Enemy troops in area; approach with caution (X) Enemy troops in area close by; armed escort (X) Enemy troops in area close by; armed escort

required. required.


Line 7 ( Method of marking the LZ)Line 7 ( Method of marking the LZ) PanelsPanels ( use orange side, and use NATO approved symbols) ( use orange side, and use NATO approved symbols) Pyrotechnic signalPyrotechnic signal ( e.g. Phosphorous grenade) ( e.g. Phosphorous grenade) SmokeSmoke ( again ask Helicopter or FLA to identify the color ( again ask Helicopter or FLA to identify the color

used)used) Signal personSignal person ( One soldier with a chemlight tied to 550 ( One soldier with a chemlight tied to 550

cord waving it in a circle over his head)cord waving it in a circle over his head) Signal lamp, flashlight, or vehicle lightsSignal lamp, flashlight, or vehicle lights ( extinguish these ( extinguish these

when vehicle gets near. It will “blind” them if they are in when vehicle gets near. It will “blind” them if they are in AN-NVG’s)AN-NVG’s)

Open FlameOpen Flame ( Keep far away from the LZ, at the head or ( Keep far away from the LZ, at the head or the base, but well away from where the vehicle will the base, but well away from where the vehicle will approach. Keep it downwind from the casualty as well. ). approach. Keep it downwind from the casualty as well. ).

““Line 7: Smoke. Break”Line 7: Smoke. Break”


Line 8 (Casualty Nationality and Line 8 (Casualty Nationality and Status)Status)

(a) United States Military(a) United States Military (b) US Civilian(b) US Civilian (c) Military other than US Military(c) Military other than US Military (d) Civilian other than US Civilian(d) Civilian other than US Civilian (e) Enemy Prisoner of War ( EPW)(e) Enemy Prisoner of War ( EPW)

““Line 8: 4 alpha-break. 2 Echo-break.”Line 8: 4 alpha-break. 2 Echo-break.”


Line 9 ( NBC Contamination)Line 9 ( NBC Contamination) N= Nuclear, B=Biological, C=ChemicalN= Nuclear, B=Biological, C=Chemical

CLS Book says that if there is no NBC CLS Book says that if there is no NBC contamination that this line is not transmitted. contamination that this line is not transmitted. That is also a test question for this CLS course.That is also a test question for this CLS course.

HOWEVER It is always safe to make sure the HOWEVER It is always safe to make sure the party coming to get you ‘knows’ whether this is party coming to get you ‘knows’ whether this is a Hot or Cold LZ they are flying into. The info a Hot or Cold LZ they are flying into. The info CAN be transmitted at your discretion if it is CAN be transmitted at your discretion if it is cold. cold.

““Line 9: None. I say again: None. Break”Line 9: None. I say again: None. Break”


““W64M, I acknowledge receipt of this MEDEVAC request as W64M, I acknowledge receipt of this MEDEVAC request as follows:follows:

““Line 1: PY93408765 breakLine 1: PY93408765 break Line 2: W64M on 20800, breakLine 2: W64M on 20800, break Line 3: 4 alpha, 2 charlie, breakLine 3: 4 alpha, 2 charlie, break Line 4: 1 O2 bottle, 1 backboard, and 1 C-collar replacement. BreakLine 4: 1 O2 bottle, 1 backboard, and 1 C-collar replacement. Break Line 5: 3 alpha, 2 Lima breakLine 5: 3 alpha, 2 Lima break Line 6: X-ray, I say again: X-ray. Break.Line 6: X-ray, I say again: X-ray. Break. Line 7: Smoke. Break. MEDEVAC Helicopter will advise color upon approach Line 7: Smoke. Break. MEDEVAC Helicopter will advise color upon approach

breakbreak Line 8: 4 alpha, 2 echo, breakLine 8: 4 alpha, 2 echo, break Line 9: None. I say again: none. Break. IS this correct W64M?”Line 9: None. I say again: none. Break. IS this correct W64M?” ““Roger.”Roger.” W64M, you are directed to go back to your operating frequency of 20800 in W64M, you are directed to go back to your operating frequency of 20800 in

the red, and await contact from approaching MEDEVAC helicopter. Be the red, and await contact from approaching MEDEVAC helicopter. Be advised that their will be gunships following in escort, so keep your element advised that their will be gunships following in escort, so keep your element together. together.

““Roger. W64M clear of this net. Out.”Roger. W64M clear of this net. Out.”


At this time go back to your units At this time go back to your units frequency and be prepared to frequency and be prepared to

communicate with the approaching communicate with the approaching helicopter and any other escort helicopter and any other escort elements they may have. Ensure elements they may have. Ensure

that the LZ is being prepared, and that the LZ is being prepared, and then get the casualty ready for then get the casualty ready for

transport. We will cover that in the transport. We will cover that in the next module after we test out on next module after we test out on

this module. this module.


Transmitting RulesTransmitting Rules During wartime, brevity codes MUST be utilized. During wartime, brevity codes MUST be utilized. No transmission unless the proper authority authorizes No transmission unless the proper authority authorizes

radio trafficradio traffic No violation of radio silence. No violation of radio silence. Unofficial conversation between operatorsUnofficial conversation between operators Transmission on a directed net without permissionTransmission on a directed net without permission Excessive tuning and testing Excessive tuning and testing Transmission of the operator’s personal sign or name Transmission of the operator’s personal sign or name

( no usage of the phrase “Codename Jones”)( no usage of the phrase “Codename Jones”) Use of other than authorized prowrdsUse of other than authorized prowrds Profane, indecent, or foul languageProfane, indecent, or foul language

Requesting Medical Evacuation OBJECTIVES: -- Discuss How to prepare a Medical Evacuation request via...

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