Tampons absorb non-life threatening blood leakage. They are not trauma equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
Tampons absorb non-life threatening blood leakage. They are not trauma equipment.

Not true, my life has been threatened more than once by someone wearing a tampon.

Lots of great advice. Couple of tidbits:

Absolutely do not buy a CAT from anywhere other than a legit medical supply or other type place.

The newest SOFTs are much improved from the older ones.

Chest seals are great, vented or not. Fastest I’ve seen a tension pneumothorax get evident was about 45 minutes. Vents may or may not work.

Israeli bandages are excellent, IF you have practiced with them enough. If not I’d recommend a simpler pressure dressing, like the North American Rescue trauma dressing, or TacMed Solutions’ olaes. Even with those, buy an extra to practice.

CAT is my preferred tourniquet, but that one Para linked is what the CAT should have been. Still, I carry mainly CATs because all my officers are most familiar with them, and have a Sam in my bag. I carry a SWAT-T as well. It can do a lot when space is a premium.

Hemostatics have their place, but I’d rather have $40 of cotton gauze than $40 of quickclot if I was bleeding to death unless I was hypothermic.

Several mentioned trauma shears. I also keep a blunt tipped knife with a seatbelt style blade on me. Actually won it in a karma here many years ago. It’s faster than shears.

I definitely second the tape to assist in tearing wrapping open. And if there are multiple layers of wrapping, removing the outermost. I learned that one the hard way.

Most importantly, good training is better than excellent equipment. With good training and your bare hands and things laying around you, you can do more than you’d believe.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
Tampons absorb non-life threatening blood leakage. They are not trauma equipment.

That would depend upon your perspective.

I just bought two CAT Gen 7 tourniquets from the company run by Skinny Medic (Youtube). They replaced two of the older generations.

I carry one in my cargo pocket as work (LEO), I have another in a small kit in my bag on the front seat of my cruiser. I have another small kit I have in my range back. I'm putting one in a much bigger kit I bought from Gall's.

Two CATS and a RATS the RATS is especially useful for young children and dogs. The CATS can break bones on youngsters if applied to tight. Otherwise the standard issue equipment and a pair of Leatherman trauma shears with seat belt cutter and window break.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
I prefer the SOFTT-W Tourniquet vs. the CAT

https://www.rescue-essentials....ration-4-tourniquet/

A SWAT-T is definitely good to have in your kit as well...Just in case

This is what I carry.

Well the price difference between the SOFFT and the CAT is basically neglible. Why choose one over the other? If cost is same does either stand out?

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
Well the price difference between the SOFFT and the CAT is basically neglible. Why choose one over the other? If cost is same does either stand out?

Cats are easier to self-apply, mainly. Other pluses and minuses, but negligible, between them. Either is excellent when combined with some solo refresher training every now and then. Including people frequently around you that could access them in a bad situation.

Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
I prefer the SOFTT-W Tourniquet vs. the CAT

https://www.rescue-essentials....ration-4-tourniquet/

A SWAT-T is definitely good to have in your kit as well...Just in case

SOFTT-W for putting on other people OR when it's exposed to light/sand/etc and isn't covered (like rigger banded to a rifle stock or on a PHLster Flatpack on a plate carrier).

CAT for putting on yourself, with the caveat that it needs to be covered (NA Rescue Ankle Rig, various kydex TQ holders)

SWAT-T is helpful as a low-profile EDC, part of your existing IFAK for additional casualties/bleeding, or first choice for pediatric casualties/canine officer.

We issue the SOFTT-W and is is a nice piece of kit. We've got several officers who've received Lifesaving medals since we started issuing blowout kits with tourniquets.

I keep a few SWAT-Ts around because they are simple and handy, but honestly they aren't great tourniquets. Better than a belt, but not as good as something like CAT or SOFTT.

Israeli bandages are good to have on hand, but I've started buying the OLAES Modular Bandage too keep in my trauma kits. It's the same basic concept as the Israeli bandage but adds removeable gauze in the pad that can be used for wound packing, a pressure cup to place over the wound to aid in compression, and has velcro stops on the rolled bandage to make it easier to handle under stress without it unrolling if fumbled. I keep one in my armor and several more in 4 and 6 inch widths in my bag in the trunk.