Keep a C-A-T Gen 7 Tourniquet within reach with the Eleven 10 RIGID TQ Case, designed to mount vertically or horizontally onto any duty belt or MOLLE vest compatible vest.
Practice: Your goal should be to be able to quickly deploy and apply it with one hand in 12 seconds, inspect it regularly, and replace any parts which deteriorate over time.
Folding the Tourniquet
Tourniquets are strips of cloth tied around an arm or leg tightly enough to stop bleeding, or prevent poison from snake or spider bites from spreading further. As tourniquets have the power to save lives, it is wise to keep one handy at all times – but remember they cannot replace medical treatment, so in cases of serious injuries please call 911 immediately for medical help.
North American Rescue’s Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) Gen 7 tourniquet has long been used by military members, saving numerous lives over its life-saving existence. Recently, however, North American has made improvements on previous models that make the C-A-T easier to use by including features like a single application protocol and new buckle routing system which makes application faster; furthermore it is smaller and more flexible than previous iterations of this device.
The CAT tourniquet is not the only available tourniquet; there are other products on the market with similar functions. When choosing one from a reputable company and in terms of size; making sure that CAT fits snugly on nerves or vessels may cause permanent nerve damage; additionally it should be easy for nonmedical professionals to use.
When choosing a holster for your CAT tourniquet, look for one with enough space to hold the device and easy access. Make sure it comes equipped with MOLLE loops so it will attach easily when needed and is secure so it will remain put.
Before applying a tourniquet, it is vitally important to ascertain where the damaged blood vessel lies. If this injury involves arm, make sure the tourniquet is placed above the elbow so as to avoid any nerve or limb damage; additionally it should also be checked for foreign objects like jewelry or clothing that might obstruct healing efforts.
Orienting the Tourniquet
CAT tourniquets have proven effective for stopping severe bleeding from extremities. The key is understanding when to use one, since direct pressure or elevating wound above heart level should first be attempted; if these fail, a tourniquet must be quickly applied; to make this easier you should practice applying your tourniquet so it can be applied with one hand in 12 seconds or less.
Tourniquets cause pain when put in place; the exact intensity varies from person to person. Most commonly, it feels like tightening or heavy gripping on an area and worsens over time. Along with this sensation comes palpable pulse and audible Doppler signals on either the Radial-Ulnar Artery in upper leg applications or Dorsalis Pedis-Posterior Tibial Artery for lower leg applications.
Position your CAT close to the wound site when using it; this will ensure that its securing system, or buckle, is correctly situated. To achieve this, simply wrap a band around your limb before passing its red tip through the inside slit of the buckle securing system. When everything is secure, twisting its rod tightens the tourniquet.
Once in place, bleeding should stop almost instantly; if not, contact emergency medical services as quickly as possible to ensure they arrive as soon as possible.
Once applied, your hands should be free to use again. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the CAT alone may not be sufficient in stopping bleeding from an abdominal or chest injury, therefore carrying an appropriate combat trauma kit with items for treating these types of injuries and keeping a tourniquet handy will provide emergency improvised trauma care in an emergency situation.
Taking the Tourniquet Out of the Wrapper
The CAT Tourniquet is a military-grade tool used to stop severe bleeding in arms or legs. Comprised of self-adhering band, windlass strap, and rod with clip, this tourniquet has become the official tourniquet for soldiers since 2005; making it also suitable for civilians in similar situations.
Military-grade CAT can occlude blood flow with 100% accuracy, which has never failed in its mission of saving injured warfighters’ lives. The latest version features a single-routing buckle which allows Soldiers to tighten it more quickly; this change simplifies training by following one application standard and standardizing practice across applications.
Before using a CAT, it’s essential to assess the wound. If it is minor and conscious, simple pressure should suffice in stopping any bleeding. In addition, ensure EMS arrives shortly so the person can receive treatment sooner.
A tourniquet causes pain in the wound area that increases over time with continued wear. The pain may be sharp, dull or throbbing; once removed from its location, however, it should subside.
Carry your tourniquet in an easily accessible location; otherwise it will serve no purpose if buried deep within your backpack or difficult to locate in a medical bag. Many opt for wearing a holster which securely stores their tourniquet while being ready for immediate deployment when necessary.
There is a range of holsters on the market, but it is essential to find one that suits your specific needs. You want an effortless method for reaching the tourniquet without it slipping out accidentally; thus it would be beneficial if your holster included an adjustable belt and could accommodate various sizes of CATs.
Applying the Tourniquet
Proper positioning of your tourniquet is of utmost importance. Simply keeping it in a glove box or backpack won’t do; rather, it needs to be readily available when needed in an emergency situation. Anytime a decision must be made during an emergency about whether to place the device somewhere other than directly under your eyeballs could have serious repercussions for someone’s life; having a tourniquet holster available could prevent unnecessary decisions during such crises by keeping the device within easy sight at all times!
TacMed Solutions’ Ankle Tourniquet Holder is an effective way of doing exactly that. This tourniquet holster was specifically created to fit both CAT and SOFTT tourniquets and it is easy to access and deploy them when necessary. Wear it directly over your ankle, attach it directly to your belt using its hook-and-loop attachment or wear it directly around your body – light in weight yet easily transportable, you won’t even notice it’s there!
As one of the key elements in applying a tourniquet correctly, its placement should always be as high as possible on an arm or leg limb to prevent blood pooling beneath it and thus complications; also making one-handed operations simpler.
Check that the strap loop is properly situated for easy fit over boots or other gear, then check your windlass slack to make sure that it is neither too loose nor tight – tight enough to stop bleeding but not difficult to maneuver.
Importantly, it should be noted that the SOFTT tourniquet features a sewn-in tag where users can record time and date of application. This allows paramedics and hospital staff to quickly identify how long a tourniquet has been in place.
An effective tourniquet should be an essential piece of EDC equipment. Studies have proven its lifesaving potential; such devices stop massive hemorrhaging in extremities quickly. But its efficacy depends on being quickly accessible; making an improvised tourniquet like using belt or bandanna with stick embedded doesn’t cut it – which is why investing in quality tourniquet carriers and practicing using them before any emergency strikes may be wiser investment than trying out something like an old belt or bandanna for this purpose.