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Writer's pictureSasha

Color of CAT Tourniquet and Tips to choose

Updated: Oct 17

Tourniquet is one of the most important medical supplies for life saving. They are critical in preventing blood loss when a severe injury occurs and could determine if a wounded person lives or dies.

At the moment, there are different tourniquets available with varying levels of effectiveness. The US Army recommends the Combat Application Tourniquet, CAT. This is because the device has helped in reducing the mortality rate by 85% since its introduction in combat in 2005.

Faster application, effective slack removal, fewer windlass turns, and simplified training with single protocol application standards are features that make CAT essential. CAT tourniquets come in three main colors: blue, orange, and black.

This article explores the features and functions of each color.


Colors of CAT tourniquet

  • CAT Blue Trainer Version

This is a training device that enables instructors and trainees to have hands-on training and tourniquet application practice. Its blue color is used to distinguish it from other personal or operational life-saving devices. Normally it's used for first aid training.


  • CAT - Orange

In emergency situations, the orange tourniquet is easy to spot. Whether you are in urban or outdoor environments, bright orange color ensures it can be quickly found and applied.

  • CAT- Black

Black Tourniquet is a preferred option for military and tactical situations. In combat, law enforcement, black brings low visibility option. It suits dark uniforms or gear, so it doesn't stand out for give away your position.


How To Choose The Right Color

The color of CAT you opt for will depend on where you want to apply it. For training and practice, you can use the blue-colored CAT. However, for real-life applications, you’ll need the orange version, for military and police using you'll need the black version.


How to choose a tourniquet

TCCC recommended: The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) recommends several tourniquets, such as the CAT tourniquet, SOF-T tourniquets, they are all battlefield tested.


tourniquet


What else is essential for an IFAK

Tourniquet is one of the most important tools to save life in emergencies, but the life threatening wounds need more medical supplies such as chest seal, decompression needles. Click here to know more about the content of IFAK.


Conclusion

CAT tourniquets are safe, fast, and easy to use devices that offer various quality features that control life-threatening extremity bleeding. According to the US Army Institute of Research, it is 100% effective – which means it guarantees complete control of blood loss.

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