Features:

  • Life saving equipment] - hemorrhaging is the leading cause of preventable death in tactical and non-tactical trauma situations
  • Patent pending finger hole design for better grip in mud, blood
  • No-curl tip - for the largest patients the no-curl tip resists pealing when water the extent of its length
  • Cold resistant technology - composite buckles designed to resist breaking in cold weather on impact
High Quality Alternative To A NAR CAT

I initially bought this to be strictly a practice/junk tourniquet but quickly realized that it's anything but that. The first thing I noticed when I got it was the Recon Medical business card taped to the package with the quote "That other's may live" on it. This is the Air Force pararescue motto, which makes me wonder if there is a former PJ designing these. Based on the design, it wouldn't surprise me. The fit and finish of this is top notch. Inspecting every thread on it, I was unable to find a single flaw. They claim to use kevlar thread for the stitching... comparing the thread to known kevlar thread as shown in my photo, I believe this is accurate. COMPARED TO A CAT Obviously, you all want to know how this compares to the industry standard CAT tourniquet, so some differences. -The first and most functional difference is the buckle only has one opening on it, compared to two for the CAT. I'm fine with this since I keep my CAT staged in this configuration anyway for one-handed application. However, it is possible that if you had to apply the Recon high on the thigh of an overweight person, the strap might slip. There is a white dotted line stitched onto the back side of the strap to indicate the minimum the strap should be drawn through to ensure a secure hold. I'm 6'/195lbs and with the tourniquet all the way up my leg, I could pull it through enough. - More important, the Recon tourniquet uses an aluminum windlass with knurling instead of the plastic one used on the CAT. The plastic CAT windlass is plenty strong enough (if you have a genuine one), but a common complaint was that it would be slippery when wet with blood/water/sweat/etc. The texturing on the Recon windlass is similar to what the SOFTT tourniquet has. - The tab on the end of the strap appears to be heat welded together, rather than sonic welded. However, I don't believe this is a concern since the internal tightening strap terminates before this point and is held by heavy kevlar stitching, where on the CAT the internal strap is held by the sonic welding - The length is identical to the CAT and the velcro used appears to be identical and seems to stick to itself as well as the CAT. Overall I'm very impressed with this tourniquet and am almost inclined to give it the edge over a CAT.

Easy to Apply. Durable.

I am in Law Enforcement and I have been carrying this Tourniquet on my vest for quite some time now. Luckily, I have not had to use it... Until this past weekend. I responded to a call of an accidental discharge, where an older gentleman had accidentally shot himself in the leg. My partner and I were first on scene, and saw the amount of blood. I was able to quickly apply this tourniquet and stop the blood flow. Shortly later, the rescue squad arrived, and they stated that the tourniquet was exactly what this man needed. Luckily the man didn't lose too much blood and is in stable condition. Unfortunately, I was without a tourniquet on my vest. Right when I got home I immediately found it again on Amazon and placed another order. This product is very practical and easy to use. Thus it deserves a 5 star rating.

This is a good North American CAT clone that I have personally put ...

First off, I use to be a PJ so I know medical gear and have used it in the field extensively. This is a good North American CAT clone that I have personally put through the paces in numerous active shooter classes I teach. It's not a cheap Chinese piece of junk which some reviewers have said. My guess is these folks have never compared the two side by side or even been in the field for that matter. I use the NA CAT in my department, but for my own personal use I save the money and use Recon Medical's tourniquet.

Critical item for officer/civilian safety

With the advances in body armor technology, and increasing use of body armor in general, the likelihood of surviving a center body mass hit from a handgun caliber weapon or edged weapon is quite high. However, bleeding-out from a from a bullet-strike or edged weapon cut - or ANY kind of severe trauma - on an appendage is still a major threat, with most people dying from traumatic hemorrhaging prior to reaching definitive care. Having a method to stop, or at least control post-injury bleeding is critical, and that is where this Combat Application Tourniquet - or CAT - comes in. This tool is THE most vital piece of equipment I carry on my duty belt, and it lives right at the front for easy access for me and anyone else that needs it. Having seen individual CAT's save lives in combat in Iraq, I DO NOT undervalue the necessity of this equipment. I will gladly attest to the quality of this CAT, and its ease of use (with proper training). I applied the TQ to my right biceps, and used my "weak"/non-shooting hand to actuate the windlass. Within 2 rotations, I had the windlass locked into position, and I was unable to detect a distal pulse at my right wrist. This CAT is EASILY the equivalent of other CAT's costing twice as much - so this means you can buy one for your duty belt, and one for your IFAK that is kept in the patrol car or POV... which I am going to do. I am extremely glad Recon Medical is bringing this critical item to the market at a very fair price point. Whether you use this in a tactical or non-tactical situation, you can count on this TQ to help save a life... And the life you save may very well be your own. Stay safe.

Awesome TQ

I love these TQ's. I have used similar TQ's, on actual casualties, many times in Iraq / Afghanistan. If Recon Medical wanted to improve upon one thing... I'd say add a thicker windlass. This one is fine but in my experience the windlass is the most likely point of failure. That said, the windlass on the Recon TQ is as strong as a CAT and more than adequate. I've already ordered 6 of these and will likely order another batch soon. On a side note... if you're new to carrying a TQ, remember the following: Place the TQ "high and tight" 2 is 1 and 1 is none (Murphy will show up the second you apply a TQ...carry 2 of them)

Great life-saving product!!!

Amazing, high-quality, reasonability priced! Awesome customer service!!!!! Being in EMS for 25 plus years I have seen my fair share of medical equipment and this is one to invest in, could save your LIFE!!! I used this device the other day when I was presented with a uncontrolled forearm laceration. I quickly deployed product and it controlled the bleeding quickly and effectively. I had another tourniquet applied, but applied this one to the victim so it could be turndown by the surgeon when needed. Thank You to the Recon Team for designing a great life-saving product!!!!

Great Quality and company provides training video on website!

Tourniquet came in just as expected. Quality band and velcro. The twist stick is durable and will get the job done (hoping i never need to use it in the first place) I keep this as a primary (1 of 2) TQ in my Trauma kit for expeditions and hunting. If you don't already i highly recommend getting one to leave in the car. You would be amazed how often an amputation or lesion to the extremities can happen in a bad car wreck you may witness on the roads. PLEASE go to the website provided on the card they rubber band to the order and watch the brief How-To Training video for this Tourniquet. I know it seems so simple and it is but there are a few small yet vital technics to know when applying a TQ. Remember, once it goes on NEVER take it off. Thats to be done at the hospital!

Not a CAT but it works.

While this is not a true NAR CAT tourniquet I absolutely would trust my life to it. I read mixed reviews and decided to try one on myself before packing it to rely on it. I followed normal directions and was unable to feel a pulse on my wrist when properly applied, which is the whole point of a tourniquet. I would absolutely also rely on this over someone's belt or a RATS tourniquet. In general I consider a tourniquet a one-time use for real world applications. If I have to use it on myself or someone else, I don't want it back. I will buy another. I carry one in my car and one in my range back since I shoot a lot and I sometimes shoot outdoors where a tourniquet could save someone's life if a real bad accident happened (which is fortunately very rare in this hobby).

It's no CAT, but it punches above its weight

Like I mentioned in the title, it's no CAT but it holds its own. We all can agree that we don't always have the money to buy the equipment we may want, and that's where this thing shines. At the price, what you're getting is great. An aluminum windlass, a solid plastic frame and windlass lock, Kevlar lined strap for added security, and an overall well engineered piece of first aid equipment that will be going in my range bag, vehicle, and home first aid kit. If you don't own one of these, seriously get one. You never know what may happen, and the saying, "I'd rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it" holds a heavy truth when dealing with these sorts of problems. Overall, I recommend this product!

They work.

I personally used one of these tourniquets to help save a life. We had a subject who was struck and pinned by a car causing a large amount of bleeding. I used one of these tourniquets on the subjects left leg to control the bleeding. My use, as well as the other officers use, of tourniquets are credited with saving the subjects life. I torqued the hell out of the windlass to the point where the other officer had to help secure it into the locking clip and it held with no issue. I trust these tourniquets with my life. I carry one on my person every shift and will continue to do so. The hole is also an added bonus when your hands are bloody and you need the extra grip.

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