ICATT Experts want to tell you about basic terms and definitions of Casevac and Medevac and the difference between them.
Casevac and Medevac are a combination of two words: specific casualty evacuation” and “medical evacuation”. Both are related to the same basic principles for the transportation of people in urgent need of medical care, and it can be advisable to use them interchangeably. But that’s not the case. Let’s take a closer look at what defines each term and the main differences between Casevac and Medevac.
What is Casevac?
Casualty evacuation, or Casevac, is a term used in the military to describe the wounded transport – whether civilians or soldiers – in severe condition from the site of the injury to a medical or trauma facility where they can receive emergency medical care.
Casevac is more often carried out by air, although patients can also be evacuated by vehicle.. In such cases, timing is essential because the patient’s life is at stake – literal life or death.
For this reason, multipurpose aircraft is used to ensure that patients arrive at the medical facility to receive medical care within hours of an accident.
The preferred type of casevac aircraft is a rotor powered aircraft, such as the helicopter, as it can access any location regardless of terrain by landing or hovering over it, without having to land on a specific runway, combined with its possible location.
Casevac is often carried out by people at the scene of an accident because in most cases waiting for the doctor can worsen the patient’s condition. After the injured are taken to medical facilities by air, they are treated by specialists.
What is Medevac?
Medical evacuation or “medevac”, on the other hand, consists of the organized process of transporting a patient to a medical facility or from the scene of an accident or another medical facility for further medical treatment. Transportation can be by air or land using specialized and standardized aircraft and vehicles to provide care along the patient route. In most cases, the patient received medical care and was stable during the evacuation.
The type of vehicle to be used depends on the emergency and the urgency of transportation. Like the Casevac, the Medevac transports victims both in transport vehicles and by helicopter, only this time the vehicles and planes are loaded with medical equipment. A ground vehicle is an ambulance, and in the same way, an aeroplane is often referred to as an “air ambulance”.
Apart from helicopters, there are also ambulances in fixed-wing aircraft, which are specially equipped jets that travel longer distances at a much faster and more efficient speed.
Medical professionals accompany Medevac patients during their travels, look after them during transportation, and ensure patients’ correct transfer to their destination medical facilities.
What is the difference between Casevac and Medevac?
Even though, to some degree comparable, Casevac and medevac contrast in the following ways:
- Casevac occuring in the military zone requires aircraft armed since their original purpose was military combat. Casevac to rescue civilians (Road Side Accident) will have basic to advanced life support equipment with paramedics on board, In contrast, the Medevac is protected by the Geneva Conventions, and vehicles and aircraft have a mandate not to be armed and adequately marked. Under Article II of the Geneva Convention, firing a Medevac vehicle that is “clearly marked and identified” will be considered a war crime. The intervention of enemy troops in a casevac vehicle does not result in a penalty.
- Casevac relies on the closest available unit to deploy to carry out evacuation missions. In contrast, the Medevac is a team of doctors trained as paramedics (EMT) on standby mode and must be dispatched to the site of injury via a ground or air ambulance. It is important to note that military personnel have begun training on necessary first aid procedures and have been provided with basic first aid kits to stabilize the victim and prevent further injury quickly.
- Casevac flights cover short routes, whereas Medevac flights are usually medium and long haul flights. Therefore, helicopters are used only for the air transport of Casevac victims, while helicopters and aeroplanes are used for air transportation of emergency patients in Medevac.
- Medevac is a dedicated service; Casevac is a transport service. While Medevac provides first aid to victims, a qualified doctor and nurse can assist. Casevac may not have a medical technician or medical technician, but first aid is never provided. Casevac must allow the fastest possible transport from point A to point B.
- Medevac vehicles are specially designed and equipped. You will be able to have immediate medical intervention by a qualified health care professional. Casevac vehicles can also be specially designed by performing unauthorized medical procedures outside the Casevac vehicle’s limits, even with the appropriate personnel on board.
- One of the main differences between Medevac and Casevac is their classification under the Geneva Conventions.
Conclusion:
We hope this clears some of the doubts between Medevac and Casevac
Contact ICATT today for all your questions about Medevac and a quote. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a free, no-obligation consultation and will be happy to advise you on how to use an ambulance from anywhere in the world. You can contact us at +91-9701111156.
