Three Alternative Tourniquets to the CAT and SOFT-W

While the combat application tourniquet (CAT) and the SOFT-Wide are two of the most common tourniquets on the market, they are not without their flaws. This video discusses the problems with these devices and gives three tourniquets that fix these issues.

[mordecai]

I've carried a SOF-T daily for almost 2 years now as a result of one of your videos, and I got one of the newer generations with the extra bracket. I love the thing, it's bulletproof, and I practice with a training duplicate like crazy, but that bracket was of incredibly poor quality-- it snapped after two or three uses. Just putting it out there that I wouldn't trust that bracket to maintain tension-- the triangle is what works, even if it's pretty hard to get the windlass in there. Thank you for everything you do, though, Prepmedic-- you've upped my knowledge where the average red cross course couldn't.

[DG-tmmg]

Great video. Thanks for taking time to make it. I would add one comment: a March 2020 study concluded that "both SAM-XT and CAT7 demonstrated a better pressure profile and hemorrhage control rate compared to SOFTT-W, with no significant difference between the two. The better outcome measures were strongly correlated to less slack". I haven't used any of them thankfully on myself, but I've had many who love the CAT and now the SAM XT. Keep up the great videos.

[statonpararescue]

Went into this saying “I can’t wait to rail this dude for saying anything other than a CAT”, but this was actually super informative and I’ll definitely add an RMT to my kit. I’ve used a water logged CAT before and it was less than fun, the RMT looks like a great backup/primary care TQ.

[mjminator]

In my opinion the SAM XT ist the best choice for a strictly civilian EMS Tourniquet. Especially over here in Europe, where we don't have that many providers with military background. It's quite unlikely, that we'd ever have to apply it to ourselves and most of us are familiar with the locking mechanism from the SAM Pelvic Slings. So you don't need as much training and you mitigate the Risk of applying to little pretightening force.

[pathardage]

I've started looking for a tourniquet for my personal woodshop in Portugal (retired over here). I really appreciate your video. Thanks.

[gadgetk]

Glad to see the Sam-XT has gotten TCCC approval, I picked one up about 4 years or so ago because I liked the added features over the CAT.

[jeremybernstein]

Great content, as always! I’m trying to help a friend make an IFAK for her family’s boat. This was one of the things I was hesitant about. Like you, I use the SOF-T and the CAT mostly and was looking for a maritime alternative. Thanks!

[trapper]

Just one i have come across i thought i would share, Tourniquet - RapidStop, seems to address a lot of the concerns raised here, especially the being able to get it past obstructions ones

[samscheinberg]

Very nice summary. I would reinforce two of your points. The most common cause of tourniquet failure is that tourniquets are initially applied with too much slack. The second most common cause is Velcro failure. The SAM XT was developed to eliminate slack and Velcro dependence. It solves both problems very well.

[lab-]

What i like to do with SOF-T's is to swing it like a lasso to tighten it enough to fit around my arm better. This makes it more convenient when I'm tightening it for real because I don't have a ton of slack to deal with. Maybe not very ideal in some tactical combat scenario, but I'm personally more likely to get injured in an accident than in combat/crime

[pineapplemedic]

Very informative as always. Will pass this newly acquired information onto SAR

[anthonymowl]

I know this is a late comment but a really great video mate. I always laugh at peoples comments that say they are not comfortable when we know if you’ve used one of these it’s pain or death and I know which one I’d choose. Once again great video and a subs defo been earned

[SlavkoRybak]

Just got my Omna ratchet tourniquete which I thought would be perfect for maritime and scuba application. And than saw your video) And yes, there's newer a perfect things. Very interesting, thanks.

[barnaclebill]

Excellent video Sam! Thanks for making us aware of these details, otherwise left out. 😁👍👍🇺🇸

[TheBlahblahblahhh]

Thanks for making these. Super informative as always.

[shatteredstiks]

I'm good with the SWAT T general use. The sof t wide is my favorite and we carry CAT T on the ambulance.

[goosed]

Have you seen the Snakestaff System ETQ Tourniquet? It is small and easy to carry. I am a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic and am an EMT/Paramedic Instructor. I will look into adding these to our equipment to teach.

[tankerforlife_]

Very Informative. Thanks for all you do.

[roland.j.ruttledge]

Fantastic, as ever, many thanks. I carry 2 CAT'S.

[urzu]

the only real issue I see with the ones that ratchet other than what he was saying is it looks like the handle for the ratchet mechanism is pretty small so it might be an issue if you have larger hands