Recommendation on tourniquets?

[1911_sfca]

Hello folks,

I need a couple additional combat-style tourniquets to stash in different spots, and I'm looking for recommendations, especially from instructors or experts on the topic. I see a bunch of them on Amazon, but don't want a cheap knockoff for life-or-death duty gear. Where can I get the real deal and what are the features to look for?

[TheTerribleCo]

CAT Gen 7. They're available on Amazon from the manufacturer.

[P5Ret]

I just had this very same conversation with my daughter who is a paramedic in rural southern Oregon. This is the only one she recommended. She also cautioned to buy direct from the company, as she has seen a couple of fakes that have failed.

http://www.combattourniquet.com/

[Rogue187]

CAT Gen 7 or 8..Not sure the latest generation.
RATS will work on dogs and toddlers. It can get down to the smallest diameter.

Make sure you buy from a quality company be careful with Amazon sellers dealing in fakes.

I personally use CAT Gen 7
Still need to get a RATS

[barca101]

I carry a CAT on duty on my trauma kit. Off duty, I carry a RAT since not bulky like the CAT. Both are great in their own way. Lots of videos of real life situation where a CAT was applied. Very seldom you see a video of a RAT being applied, but their there. CAT for you, RAT for others.

[esy]

I'll echo the rest. I carry CAT tourniquets the most. I haven't gotten RATS yet, however, I was going to buy a handful as extras since they're smaller.

I like one handed application style tourniquets the best.

[BadKitty]

All of my tourniquets are CAT. Yes, they are pricey when compared to the cheap Chinese knock-offs you can find on Amazon. I don't care to trust my life, or my partner or patient's lives, to a piece of junk when it matters the most. I bought my CATs from North American Rescue: https://www.narescue.com/combat-appl...urniquet-c-a-t

Also, I do not care for the SOF-T tourniquet. I find it's too fussy to try and get the end of the bar into the triangular buckle during a stressful, bloody situation. RATS has some pros; but, I personally don't want to have to deal with all of the "knots" and "wraps" during an incident (which is a major con to me).

No matter what you get, MAKE SURE YOU PRACTICE WITH IT. One handed, right and left, on your own arm, on your own leg, on someone else. And, keep it HIGH AND TIGHT!

[1911_sfca]

Thanks for the feedback! I got one of the CAT tourniquets early this year when we had a training, which is still in my duty bag. That was the first time I've actually applied the tourniquet on myself at full strength. Good advice, will continue to practice! Looks like the NAR CAT gen 7 are $30 on their web site. If anyone has a lead for genuine CAT's at a better rate, please pipe up!

[chsk9]

I carry a CAT tourniquet. Be aware that they are not effective on children. RATS tourniquets will work on kids, but are not as quick to apply, however they are inexpensive compared to CAT and would be a obvious choice for active shooter bag and/or SRO.

[1911_sfca]

I carry a CAT tourniquet. Be aware that they are not effective on children. RATS tourniquets will work on kids, but are not as quick to apply, however they are inexpensive compared to CAT and would be a obvious choice for active shooter bag and/or SRO.

Luckily, I work in an urban environment where fire/medics are <5 min away. This is really just for myself or fellow officers in an active shooter scenario. So CAT is perfect.

[mixicus]

SOFT T wide is what my county got trained up on during TCCC. I got my extras from Tactical Medical Solutions.

[The War Wagon]

CAT Gen 7. They're available on Amazon from the manufacturer.

^^^ THIS.


Got mine from AR500, when I got one of their medkits for my chestrig, though. Amazon probably is cheaper.

[code_blue]

I'm used to the SOFT-T system, but I like the CAT 7 also.

https://www.tacmedsolutions.com/SOF-Tactical-Tourniquet-Wide

Here's a video explaining the differences.

[1911su16b870]

On duty: SOFT-T. I like the windlass affixing delta loop.

Off duty: RATS plus a roll of gauze, super small package that easily fits in a cargo pocket.

Whatever you carry...GO (Left Leg) put it on now in under 60 seconds!

[BadKitty]

Whatever you carry...GO (Left Leg) put it on now in under 60 seconds!

During my TECC training course, we were sitting quietly watching a random PowerPoint when a gunshot sound went off and the PowerPoint screen said "You've just been shot in your right arm!". We had to immediately get off the X, apply a tourniquet in 20 sec. or less, and then get back into the fight with our imaginary weapon. We only had 20 secs since the equipment was already sitting on the table; but, 60 secs is closer to what it will be like to take cover and fish the tourniquet out of the holder/vest. Either way, it's amazing how quickly one can do it after some practice!