Beyond Combat: Why Civilians Should Carry a Combat Application Tourniquet
Sudden calamities and catastrophes are a part of life. They are not restricted to the battlefield alone. On the contrary, they can easily strike just about any time, anywhere. That's why it is imperative to always be prepared for the unexpected. Here, one of the primary items in your emergency ‘bug-out’ kit should be the CAT—North American Rescue Tourniquet. Rest assured that this humble little device can literally mean the difference between life and perhaps certain death.
What’s a Tourniquet?
A tourniquet is a relatively simple mechanical device that has been designed for the specific purpose of staunching blood flow to the extremities of the body if there is any heavy bleeding. Once you apply the tourniquet correctly, you will be able to prevent the wounded individual from bleeding to death.
However, you have to place it correctly. That is, it must be securely tightened around the injured area from where the blood flows freely. The purpose is to slow the blood flow so that it doesn't gush out and cause cardiac arrest. As the tourniquet tightens, it slowly squeezes the large blood vessels in the affected part of the body. The more the pressure is applied, the slower the blood will flow out of the body. Eventually, it will decrease to a trickle. This way, an almost certain fatal injury will be squeezed off almost entirely, which will save the life of the injured person.
Most people who regularly go out in harm's way, such as soldiers on frontline combat duty and SWAT teams, regularly carry the CAT. That is, the ‘Combat Application Tourniquet.’ In case of severe injuries, the CAT will stabilize their comrades and keep them alive until they are able to reach a field hospital.
The CAT Tourniquet
This is a useful tourniquet system that has been designed to be used by even one hand, which means that a critically injured person can tend to their wounds even if there is no one else nearby. According to the renowned US Army's Institute of Surgical Research, it is one hundred percent effective at decreasing blood flow provided that it is used correctly. In a nutshell, it will prevent massive hemorrhaging from the injury.
Utility for Civilians
From earthquakes to hurricanes to car crashes and even violent crime, ours is an unpredictable world. If you have your CAT with you, you would be able to not only save yourself but others around you as well.
Why Choose the CAT?
Its effective windlass system has a free-moving band located inside. Once it has been secured, this band will provide the necessary pressure on the wound. When the bleeding stops, the windlass can be easily secured and subsequently locked into place. It will continue to maintain pressure on the injury till help becomes available.
The CAT combat application tourniquet is an essential requirement for every backpack and home first aid kit. In case of an emergency, it can save your life!