Tourniquets

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In the interest of adding information related to survival and first aid I wanted to start a thread on the tourniquet.

What do you carry in your kit? How many? Any comments, questions or concerns?


I carry the Combat Appllcistion Tourniquet from North American Reacue. It's the Gen 7 I think but don't hold me to it. I keep several in various accessibly places. They are all preloaded to use and are easy to use one handed.

I have used the SOF Tourniquet but did not lie then as well, but the metal parts were attractive at the time.

Be careful thou that you do not get FAKE cat tourniquets naked cheaply from amazon or eBay. The cheap ones do not work nearly as well and could cost you your life and I personally don't want to risk that for a few bucks if I can help it.
 
The gen 7 CAT is the latest iteration in TCCC guidelines, but there are several that will do the trick: the SOF-T, and the SWAT (although the SWAT is kinda goofy, there's been some decent research data on it)
 
I carry, not sure what Generation, CATs with the white TIME slip on it. Earlier ones didn't have a great space for writing. I've got a bunch of them and carry them in different kits
 
CATs, SOF-T, SWAT are all good.
None of them are any good to you in your glove compartment.
I carry a CAT at work and it's what we stock on the trucks. Some of Tac guys have the SOF-T (it's larger and works better as an improvised junctional tourniquet).
I dunno that theres a huge difference between the two.
I like the SWAT because I can keep it in my back pocket and not take up space.


I don't think you can go wrong with those three, they have research and data to support them. Stay away from the RATs and the other garbage out there.

Get two, one to practice with, the other to keep.
 
NCMedic said:
CATs, SOF-T, SWAT are all good.
None of them are any good to you in your glove compartment.
I carry a CAT at work and it's what we stock on the trucks. Some of Tac guys have the SOF-T (it's larger and works better as an improvised junctional tourniquet).
I dunno that theres a huge difference between the two.
I like the SWAT because I can keep it in my back pocket and not take up space.


I don't think you can go wrong with those three, they have research and data to support them. Stay away from the RATs and the other garbage out there.

Get two, one to practice with, the other to keep.
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Agreed! I have seen but not had any experience with the SWAT tourniquet but have used the CATs and SOF-T and both have been used at agencies I work with and for and work fine. The SWAT is very " compact"


@NCMedic makes a great point that all should consider, it will do you no good in your glovebox, the same goes for your gun.

Practice and get familiar with whatever you plan to carry and become proficient with it or your doing yourself no good.
 
Obviously you get what you pay for; I've seen windlasses break, as an example of not buying a knock off POS from China.
 
Mostly CATs in my bag (2), but the one I carry on me is a SOF-T. I also have a small, pocket first aid kit with a cravat. With that and a pen (Zebra 402), reckon I have 2 on me.
 
wsfiredude said:
Mostly CATs in my bag (2), but the one I carry on me is a SOF-T. I also have a small, pocket first aid kit with a cravat. With that and a pen (Zebra 402), reckon I have 2 on me.
Click to expand...


You wear a belt? You have another one on you. Boots or shoes with laces? You have another two....often we all forget how to be creative and think outside the box. Sure commercial tourniquets are awesome but for years and years folks have made do with what they have.
 
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Cpippen said:
You wear a belt? You have another one on you. Boots or shoes with laces? You have another two....often we all forget how to be creative and think outside the box. Sure commercial tourniquets are awesome but for years and years folks have made do with what they have.
Click to expand...

Even a t-shirt can work in a pinch.
 
trcubed said:
Even a t-shirt can work in a pinch.
Click to expand...

Indeed you are right! I will venture to say thou that in terms of speed and especially one handed personal application the commercial tourniquets are the bee's knees and that is where they shine at, but again you have to have one or more with you when the injury that causes the need happens.
 
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