The North American Rescue Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) is one of the most popular tourniquets on the market today. Recently NAR announced the delivery of the Generation 7 (G7) C-A-T tourniquet with advancements to make this incredible life-saving tool even more proficient.
The ability of a tourniquet to stop catastrophic hemorrhage, especially arterial bleeding, is well documented. Far from the crude methods of 100 years ago, modern tourniquets are proven life savers, and combined with TCCC techniques have proven to be over 95% effective in saving lives even on the rough terrain battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
G7 C-A-T Tourniquet
The North American Rescue C-A-T tourniquet has been an excellent choice in serious hemorrhage control for years. Compact, easily carried, wide strap with easy pull tab, windlass clip, and a velcro windlass strap all make the C-A-T one of the most versatile tourniquet selections available. Recent battlefield experiences have shown that a properly applied tourniquet can keep a critically wounded soldier alive for up to 6 hours without risking tissue damage from the constriction.
The new Generation 7 C-A-T tourniquet has an improved bi-lateral windlass clip, making locking the windlass in after tightening easier and more secure. The windlass strap is strong and has been changed in color to gray for easier identification in the field – especially in low light conditions. The windlass itself has been increased in diameter for added strength, and has additional ribbing for greater grip. The single routing buckle allows for a tighter pull on the strap, reducing the number of windlass turns for occlusion. A stabilization plate with beveled contact bar provides structural integrity that minimizes skin pinching. This is particularly important for proper occlusion, and to avoid long-term injury from application.
C-A-T® Gen 7 Requirements Driven Enhancements:
- Single Routing Buckle
- Decreased blood loss
- Effective slack removal
- Fewer windlass turns
- Simplified training with single protocol application standards
- Windlass Rod
- Increased diameter
- Enhanced strength
- Aggressive ribbing
- Improved grip
- Windlass Clip
- Bilateral beveled entry
- Rapid windlass lock
- Bilateral buttress
- Added strength
- Windlass Strap
- Sonic welded to clip for constant contact
- Color changed to Gray for tactical considerations (Black C-A-T Only)
- Stabilization Plate
- Reinforced, beveled contact bar
- Minimized skin pinching
- Red Tip Technology®
- Featuring NAR’s Red Tip Technology® with a red elliptical tip
- Added visual clues for application
- Free-moving Internal Band
- Patented band within band
- True evenly distributed circumferential pressure
Special C-A-T G7 Features:
- Awarded as one of the “Top 10 Greatest Inventions” by the U.S. Army
- Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army
- Used by both conventional and Special Operation forces
- Proven 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper & lower extremities by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research
- True, one-handed application tourniquet
- Quickly controls life-threatening extremity bleeding
- Recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)
- Designed to perform in all-weather conditions
- Cost-effective
- Standard Issue to U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard
- Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,842,067 and 7,892,253.
C-A-T G7 Dimensions:
- Length – 6.5″
- Width – 2.4″
- Depth – 1.5″ (with windlass clip)
- Open Length – 37.5″
- Weight – 2.9 oz
- MSRP – $29.99.
BlueSheepDog Thoughts
The BlueSheepDog Crew have been proponents of officers carrying a tourniquet on their duty gear for a long time. We are huge supporters of the TCCC training program, and highly recommend officers obtain their own personal tourniquet if they are not issued one by their department. With life-threatening incidents a part of the job, it is imperative that officers prepare for the worst and be ready to help themselves.
Though there is some movement by Fire and EMS personnel to respond into “warm” zones of an active threat situation, those agencies National Standards still reflect a “hold in place until scene secure” mandate. Knowing the vast majority of medical first responders are not going to come help you in an emergency situation, should be all the motivation you need to keep critical trauma care nearby.
The life-saving ability of a properly applied tourniquet cannot be understated. Arterial bleeding, or severe venous bleeding can drain enough blood out in just one minute that could not only cause unconsciousness, but death. Most humans have between 5-7 liters of blood in their system, and the arteries pump up to 3.0/liters of blood per minute (out and back). Without having a tourniquet on you person you are a statistic if critically injured. Carry a tourniquet. The C-A-T G7 tourniquet is an excellent choice. Though a metal windlass would be preferred, the increased size of the G7’s windlass makes the C-A-T’s polymer windlass a strong contender.
FROM NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE
When we began work on the C-A-T® GEN 7 we considered every element that defines a tourniquet designed for combat use. We challenged ourselves to find the best, most forward-looking way possible to enhance performance and maximize application success. But we didn’t do this alone. Leveraging input from after action reviews, researchers, material scientists and you, the end-user, we were able to create the most advanced C-A-T® to date. Every component of the C-A-T® GEN 7 is optimized for performance and reliability.
The C-A-T® GEN 7 has a single routing buckle system that (1) allows for extremely fast application and effective slack removal (2) Simplified training with single protocol directions for all applications.
The patented C-A-T® is a true one-handed tourniquet proven to be 100% effective by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research.