The North American Rescue Combat Action Tourniquet is a critical piece of medical gear. The CAT is a windlass style, quick application tourniquet that has been fielded by the US Army as well as the US Marine Corps. It is recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and is a top choice for law enforcement as well as EMS.
This tourniquet is designed to be a small, lightweight way to fully occlude bleeding of a limb.The CAT uses a quick Velcro strap to wrap around the extremity and a rotating windlass to tighten the strap. The strap is long for extra large legs, and has a quick lockdown bar for self and buddy application. It folds fairly flat and is compatible with most dedicated tourniquet carriers.
Because of the popularity of this item, the buyer must be cautious of counterfeits. The current generation is gen-7 and should only be purchased from an authorized dealer or directly from Nprth Americam Rescue.
While the tourniquet can be improvised, it is far better to have this dedicated piece of equipment with you.