CASUALTY MONITORING, DD FORM 1380 & EVACUATION PREP
Source: ATP 4-02.11, Chapter 15 — Casualty Monitoring and Evacuation Preparation, 23 March 2026
Key Points
- DD Form 1380 must be completed on every casualty before handoff
- Use the casualty's first aid kit to obtain the form
- Card must remain with the casualty throughout the evacuation chain
- Write with indelible/permanent marker on waterproof paper
- EVAC precedence: Urgent / Priority / Routine
- Time format: 24-hour, mark L (Local) or Z (Zulu)
- Date format: DD-MMM-YY (e.g., 29-JUN-26)
- Do NOT attach card to body armor — it gets separated at MTF
- Check for shock every 5 minutes if evacuation is delayed
Common Mistakes
- Attaching DD Form 1380 to body armor (attach directly to casualty)
- Using pencil instead of permanent marker
- Incomplete documentation — missing tourniquet time or medication given
- Not marking evacuation precedence (Urgent/Priority/Routine)
- Failing to note time of all interventions
MIST Report
- M — Mechanism of injury
- I — Injuries found
- S — Signs and symptoms (vitals)
- T — Treatment rendered
Give MIST orally at handoff; written info on DD Form 1380 serves as backup.
The DD Form 1380 is the first and sometimes the only record of treatment of combat casualties. Accuracy and thoroughness of information provided is of the utmost importance. The form must remain with the casualty throughout the prehospital evacuation system and become part of the casualty's medical record upon reaching an MTF. (ATP 4-02.11, para 15-17)
Pulse Assessment — Pre-Evacuation Monitoring
Pulse assessment is a key component of monitoring the casualty's circulatory status. (ATP 4-02.11, para 15-6)
| Pulse Location | When to Check | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Radial (wrist) | First assessment | Weak or absent = significant blood loss (>1,500 cc) |
| Carotid (neck) | When radial absent | Present = some perfusion remaining |
| Femoral (groin) | Assessment of lower extremity perfusion | Check after tourniquet application |
| Posterior tibial (ankle) | Distal circulation check for leg splinting | Loss = impaired distal circulation |
Completing DD Form 1380 — Front Side
Remove the DD Form 1380 from the casualty's first aid kit. Complete all entries as fully as possible. (ATP 4-02.11, para 15-18)
Required Front-Side Fields
- Battle Roster # — First initial of first name + first initial of last name + last 4 of ID number (e.g., "BL6553")
- EVAC Precedence — Mark X on: Urgent (life-threatening, evacuate ASAP), Priority (serious condition), or Routine (stable)
- Name — Last, First
- Last 4 — Last 4 digits of military ID number
- Sex — Mark M or F
- Date — DD-MMM-YY format (e.g., "29-JUN-26")
- Time — 24-hour time, indicate Local (L) or Zulu (Z) (e.g., "1300Z")
- Service — USA, USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, USSF; civilians = "U.S. CIV"; foreign = "NON-U.S."
- Unit — Casualty's unit name
- Allergies — Known drug allergies or "NKDA" (No Known Drug Allergies)
- Mechanism of Injury — Mark all that apply: artillery, blunt, burn, fall, grenade, GSW, IED, MVC, RPG, stab wound, and other
- Injury diagram — Mark injury location(s) on the body diagram
- Tourniquet information — Type (CAT/SOFT-T), time applied, location on limb
Required Back-Side Fields
- AVPU — Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive (level of consciousness at assessment)
- Airway interventions — None, NPA, CRIC (cricothyrotomy), ET-tube, SGA
- Breathing interventions — Chest seal (left/right), needle decompression (left/right)
- Circulation — Tourniquet details, pressure dressing, wound packing, IV/IO access
- Hypothermia prevention — Wet clothing removed, warm IV fluids, heat reflective blanket
- Medications — CWMP given (time), morphine, other (with times)
- Vital signs — Pulse rate and quality, respiratory rate, pain level
- First responder — Name and last 4 of first responder
Pre-Evacuation Procedures
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1
Secure the casualty's weapons and equipment — per SOPs or mission requirements. If possible, weapons should not accompany the casualty during evacuation. If secured, ensure the weapon is cleared and rendered safe.
-
2
Select appropriate litter — Choose based on the casualty's specific needs and the mission profile (Sked, TALON, rigid litter, etc.).
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3
Prepare medical equipment for evacuation — Organize supplies needed to accompany the casualty; keep interventions accessible during transport.
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4
Anticipate environmental factors — Extreme noises, vibration, high winds from propeller wash, and cold from altitude all affect casualty stability. Develop a mitigation plan.
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5
Complete DD Form 1380 — Attach directly to the casualty (NOT to body armor). Provide oral MIST report at handoff.
ATP 4-02.11 Source
Chapter 15: Casualty Monitoring and Evacuation Preparation — Army Techniques Publication 4-02.11, Casualty Response, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and First Aid. Headquarters, Department of the Army, 23 March 2026.
See It in Practice — ESB Tasks
These ESB Medical Lane tasks apply this doctrine directly: