Basics Of Buying A Tourniquet

1. It should be the first thing you see when you open your first aid kit. If your first aid kit has pockets on the outside, you may even want to put it there instead. The idea is that you want to be able to grab it as fast and as easily as possible.
2. When you pack it, you should also preset the adjusting strap so that the loop is long enough to go around your thigh.
3. When in doubt, APPLY IT. You can take it off any time within the next 2 hours without damaging your patient.
4. If your tourniquet doesn’t have a place to write the time of application, take some masking tape and wrap it around the end of the adjustment strap.
5. It’s fine to use 2 if 1 doesn't stop the bleeding.
6. This can be used in conjunction with quick clotting bandages, Israeli bandages, or other hemostatic agents.
7. This won’t feel comfortable. On an uninjured arm proper application will cause some bruising.
8. Try to remove heavy coats or pants. It can be applied over clothing, but bunched or folded cloth makes it more difficult to stop blood flow.
9. For a fast deployment, you can carry your tourniquet using a tourniquet holder.
CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet)
The CAT is one of the first manufactured tourniquets, one of the most common used by the military quite popular. It secures with Velcro & uses a windlass to twist the strap tighter. The windlass is secured by inserted one end into a cradle.

SOF T (special operations forces tactical)
The strap of the SOF Tactical Tourniquet is secured with a quick-connect / break-apart buckle and tightened with a windlass like the CAT. The windlass is secured by a “tri-ring” or D-ring at one end.
Two versions are available: The original SOF-T with a 1″ wide strap & the newer SOF-T Wide with a 1.5″ strap

MATResponder
The MATResponder is constructed with a rigid C shaped plastic Collar & constricting strap. The strap is secured around the limb with a buckle hook. A turning handle tightens the tourniquet.
The strap has a limited ability to tighten, so the tourniquet strap must be tightly applied. It is more bulky & therefore harder to pack than other tourniquets. However, the tourniquet is easily released by either lifting the plastic hook that locks down the strap, or by pressing the release button.
SWATT (stretch, wrap, and tuck tourniquet)
Essentially a simple elastic tourniquet, the SWATT can be wrapped around limb tightly, fully stretching it at each wrap so compressive pressure is applied. The end is tucked into the wrap.
RATS (rapid application tourniquet system)
It is recommended that you get at least three sequential wraps. Guys with thick legs will barely able to get two complete wraps on their thighs. There is a potential for tissue damage if the wraps are spaced too close or too far, but that is true of any tourniquet system applied inappropriately. Wrapping and stretching the R.A.T.S. requires a fairly wide range of motion
The RATS Tourniquet features a very minimal footprint allowing you to tuck this thing in places your other tourniquets won’t go. Application time is around 22 seconds for self-application to the leg & 35 seconds to the arm.
Make sure your tourniquet is easily accessible.
Practice applying it in less than 30 seconds.
Should be placed high and tight, close to the body.
Use with Quickclot bandages or Israeli/pressure bandages.
Don’t leave a tourniquet on longer than 2 hours.
Tourniquets can and do save lives. But learning to use them and apply them correctly are extremely important. Get good and competent training.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn