Now that we use tourniquets as the first resort rather than the last resort for extreme bleeding, I've reconfigured my kit(s) to make sure that I have a CAT-T or SWAT-T accessible at all times. On my person as EDC carry: I have a SWAT-T and basic IFAK inside my pants cargo pocket. This is with me everywhere I go. When headed to the range or other field adventure where I'm wearing more than my street clothes: I carry a full IFAK with CAT-T (G3 by DARK) on my battle belt 6:00 to 7:30 depending on whether I plan to don a pack. I also carry a CAT-T strapped to the upper chest of my plate carrier and finally one strapped to the buttstock of my rifle. This gives me 3 options for self or buddy rescue when seconds count. The greatest benefit of having so many placments of TQs is for self rescue. What postition are you in if you are injured? Can you reach that single TQ you're carrying? etc. I used to use rubber bands for the carrier and buttstock mounts but found some slick carriers at ReFactor Tactical that look like this: Much of my EDC choices are summarized in this email that a friend sent me after a long discussion of the subject. Thoughts on load outs and equipage | Survival Forums
Given the choice between an arterial bleed-out and a necrotised limb that may require amputation...I think I could live with the amputation.
Be very cautious with those. Use them only as a last resort to slow/stop arterial(bright red spurting blood) bleeding. Pressure points/direct pressure/elevating the limb are all useful and often will do the job. We had a bud to cut an upper arm artery--he was squirting blood five feet. We clamped down tight on that pressure point under his arm, clamped down on the cut, and rushed him to the hospital. They saved the arm. We were at a fire scene and had ample med help. Had he been by himself or way away from instant help then a tq would probably been the way to go. Nice to have them but be very sure to do it other ways
We have a vast body of data on TQ use from A'stan and Iraq. TQs are not the danger they were once considered to be. There are documented cases of them being left on four to six hours without causing damage to the limb requiring it to be removed. As long as you are using a wide enough strap to not cause tissue damage, you should be fine.
Yeah 06. They've changed that and TQs are now the preferred method of Hemorage control. The instructor for a course I'm in right now was a Navy Corpsman in Iraq and Afghanistan and saw people with TQs in place for up to 11-12 hours and they didn't lose the limb.
Now that I've been hands (limbs) on with all of the most popular tourniquets, I suggest people get the CAT. In class last weekend, we trained with the: CAT, SOFT-T, SWAT-T, and the RATS tourniquets. The CAT is by far the easiest to apply one handed with dominant or weak arm. It's simple and can be set up to deploy in about 10 seconds or so. The SOFT-TT is great as it adds a metal windlass and is more durably built but I (and others) just couldn't deploy it as fast one handed. It works great on legs or if someone else is applying it on you but it still doesn't do anything more than the CAT does. The SWAT is basically a 4" wide strip of stretchy rubber that you wrap to get a bite and then keep wrapping tighter and tighter. The biggest benefit is that its really flat in a pocket kit. It compresses well but lacks a windlass (mechanical advantage) for tightening. Although not my first TQ of choice, I carry them on a daily basis. The RATS is a thin piece of rope with a hook. I didn't like it and wouldn't recommend it.
Great information on a very important tool to have!! This detail on the C.A.T.would be good to have in the gear review section.....
We just had "Stop the Bleed" training with the CAT style. I fully agree with the ease of use. We also covered the update on application in modern times regarding the safety of application for extended periods.
The CAT gets my vote for many reasons. The best is that it works without damage to the site used. Next is the Orange Tab( on the ones I purchased), which I always have sticking out from its stowage point.
