Tactical Tourniquets to Stop Traumatic Bleeding

​Four different tourniquets can be used to manage uncontrolled extremity hemorrhage—the SWAT-Tourniquet, the Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), the SOF Tactical Tourniquet, and the Rapid Application Tourniquet System (R.A.T.S.). All four include a tightening strap that wraps around an extremity.​R.A.T.S. uses a thick bungee-like elastic cord. Both the C-A-T and SOF use an adjusting strap, but only the C-A-T uses Velcro to secure the strap and prevent loosening. The SOF has a tightening buckle that can be unsnapped to open the tourniquet and allow the strap to be wrapped around the limb rather than pulling it over the extremity. The Velcro strap of the C-A-T tourniquet can also be slid over the extremity before tightening or can be opened and routed through the attached single-opening buckle.The C-A-T and SOF tourniquets have a windlass that can be spun two to three times to do the final tightening of the strap. The straps for both must be maximally tightened before the windlass is tightened. Some recommend that the straps be tightened to the point that one cannot pass three fingers under it, and all slack must be completely removed before the windlass is tightened.The C-A-T and SOF have a latching mechanism for the windlass. The SOF has a triangular-shaped ring, and the C-A-T has a C-shaped latching cradle. The C-A-T tourniquet keeps the windlass from popping out by using a nylon/Velcro cover that is secured on top of the cradle once tightening is completed. Both to...
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