C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet

by CAT

• Proven to be 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper and lower extremities by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research
• Featuring NAR's Red Tip TechnologyTM with a red elliptical tip to assist user in locating and threading during application
• Reinforced windlass clip & highly visible security tab includes a write-able area to record the time of application
• Designed to perform in all weather conditions
• Official tourniquet of the U.S. army

Product Description

Noted as the best prehospital tourniquet in the February 2008 supplement of The Journal of Trauma The C-A-T® is a true one-handed tourniquet proven to be 100% effective by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research. Tests proved that the C-A-T® completely occluded blood flow of an extremity in the event of a traumatic wound with significant hemorrhage. The C-A-T® utilizes a durable windlass system with a free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. A Hook and Loop strap is then applied, securing the windlass to maintain pressure during casualty evacuation. The C-A-T®'s unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival stress or where fine motor skills are compromised.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B003IPZRYI
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,175 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #2 in Sports & Outdoors > Accessories > Sports Medicine > First Aid Kits

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good equipment but... March 9, 2012

By Bookaholic

I am a Healthcare Army; commonly refered to as a 'Combat Medic'. We train on these things until we can apply them on ourselves single-handedly in under two minutes, faster on another person. In optimal (classroom) trials we average under thirty seconds to proper placement.
The CAT is an excellent and simple product of good quality and very effective for the job it was created for. However, as easy and effective as this tourniquet is; it's also just a tool. If purchasing this tool for yourself be absolutely sure that you know HOW to use it and how to know you've used it RIGHT. Application of the CAT is simple, but so is messing up and when you NEED a tourniquet, there's no time to read the instructions.
If you're purchasing this for a friend, check to make sure they also understand how to use it and if purchasing this for a soldier/airman/sailor/marrine/combatant/non-combatant overseas in hostile areas... consider sending more. Thank you.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched and Combat Proven May 10, 2011

By Tradecraft TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

The Combat Application Tourniquet, C-A-T, is an excellent, must have, and highly recommended addition to your first aid kit. The C-A-T Tourniquet has been researched and proven to be effective. When faced with a catastrophic injury to an arm or leg from a traumatic event with significant arterial bleeding then this tourniquet is a reliable and necessary piece of gear that has saved many lives. This tourniquet is fast and easy to apply one handed, under stressful conditions, and is combat proven on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Time is of the essence when faced with a serious injury with significant bleeding requiring immediate and effective control of bleeding. This tourniquet can literally be the difference between life and death.

Based upon research from the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) Battlefield Tourniquet Recommendations - Issued July 28, 2004:

"The Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) was effective 100% of the time in quickly and effectively occluding arterial blood flow in both the upper and lower extremities in all trials...Pain scores (pinching and circumferential) were dramatically lower with the C-A-T than any other strap-style device evaluated."

Research after this 2004 study has come to the same conclusion. Hence, the Combat Application Tourniquet should be a part of any serious first aid kit or medic gear. Get this tourniquet and be prepared for the worst case scenario.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars has saved many of my friends lives January 12, 2013

By JDS556762

We use these in the Army both overseas and during training. On all 3 of my deployments, 2 to Iraq, 1 to afghanistan, I personally have had to use the CAT on real world, severely wounded coalition soldiers and civilians. I now keep several of these in my personal first aid kits, my vehicle, my Kelty backpack and my pocket if I believe I'm doing something particularly dangerous. It's light weight, easy to use, and well made so what's the excuse not to have one?