IMHO the SOF-TW is a bit harder in a one handed application. ( you applying it to your own arm) compared to the CAT. but the solid aluminium windlass bar on the SOF-TW wins it for me. I’ve ended up snapping a couple windlass bars on the cats over the years ( gen 4-5-6 and 7). ( I am a military medic that has been deployed to Afghanistan and train with these items on a regular basis)

both are COTCCC approved and you really can’t go wrong with choosing either. only thing is proper storage and having a dedicated training TQ and not using the same training TQ for real life stop the bleed application.

SOS24 said: ↑
This is one reason to ensure that the CAT is purchased from a reputable medical supplier, because there are numerous counterfeits that are made with inferior materials.
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All of my TQ’s have been acquired through my medical supply system and the companies that they order from is reputable. But I have occasionally seen them fail ( so far probably around 8 in my career in medicine so far) the majority of the failures were seen in training. I only had 1 fail on me in the field in a real situation. And I think the person who applied it didn’t tighten the TQ enough before using the windlass. But on a good day I also carry multiple cats and a couple SOF-TW regardless

SOS24 said: ↑
I don’t doubt that some of the real haven’t failed especially if training ones used multiple times or ones that were carried in extreme temperatures or sun, but it is a lot less likely to fail if it is an authentic one. Some counterfeits have even showed up on the military.
https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/afghanistan/counterfeit-tourniquets-make-their-way-downrange-1.109797
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During my tour back in 2010-2011, the failures I’ve witnessed were due to improper storage on the casualties vests as well as improperly pre-tensioning the TQ before spinning the windlass. Most of the failures I also witnessed were either self aid or buddy aid applications and not from myself or people that were TCCC qualified

twin63 said: ↑
Could you elaborate on this? I’ve seen TQ’s attached to vests and belts with rubber bands and wondered if there could be issues with them being exposed. Is it best to have a dedicated TQ holder?
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There are definitely issues with this. Depending on the environment your in your TQ will wear out faster. Take Afghanistan for example. With the sand as fine as icing sugar getting pelted around all the time, this will clog up the Velcro of a CAT as well as will work it’s way into the actual band that the windlass is attached. Then factor in the sun weathering the actual material is also something to be considered as well ( even LEO should consider this)

The recommendations regarding mounting TQ’s on plate carriers or belts are that they are kept in a pouch that will help protect from the elements And any other crap around you.

Now that being said. I can’t remember where I read those recommendations but this is what I’ve been doing since my deployment and haven’t had a failure in a situation where I would actually be relying on that TQ to stop an extremity bleed. The failures I’ve seen in the last couple years have all been in a training environment ( some were brand new TQ’s and some were used over and over a couple hundred times.) I keep 2 cats on my vest inside my front line pouch as well as a surgical airway kit, combat gauze, needle Decompression needles, bandages, and 2 NPA and triage cards. As a quick 30 second save a life and move on instead of taking off my led bag

maillet282 said: ↑
There are definitely issues with this. Depending on the environment your in your TQ will wear out faster. Take Afghanistan for example. With the sand as fine as icing sugar getting pelted around all the time, this will clog up the Velcro of a CAT as well as will work it’s way into the actual band that the windlass is attached. Then factor in the sun weathering the actual material is also something to be considered as well ( even LEO should consider this)

The recommendations regarding mounting TQ’s on plate carriers or belts are that they are kept in a pouch that will help protect from the elements And any other crap around you.

Now that being said. I can’t remember where I read those recommendations but this is what I’ve been doing since my deployment and haven’t had a failure in a situation where I would actually be relying on that TQ to stop an extremity bleed. The failures I’ve seen in the last couple years have all been in a training environment ( some were brand new TQ’s and some were used over and over a couple hundred times.) I keep 2 cats on my vest inside my front line pouch as well as a surgical airway kit, combat gauze, needle Decompression needles, bandages, and 2 NPA and triage cards. As a quick 30 second save a life and move on instead of taking off my led bag
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Your comments make me think of a CAT on a police officer’s belt I saw not that long ago. The CAT was in a kydex holster that left the top half exposed. The CAT was so sun bleached from being exposed that the black looked grayish and the red tab was no longer red. I remember thinking that I hoped he never had a need for it to save someone’s life, because I wouldn’t be surprised if it failed.

It’s hard enough convincing some officers they need to shoot / rotate out and refresh their duty ammo once in a while.

FiaOlleDog said: ↑
Carrying (and protecting from the elements) a TQ: ITS offers their “TourniQuick Rapid Tourniquet Deployment Pouch” which also provide very quick access. It says it “Holds All Current Versions of the C-A-T® or 1.5″ wide SOF®TT-W Tourniquet”.

It’s about the price of a CAT/SOFT-TW TQ itself, and may not be feasible in civil environments – but for LEOs and similar persons it could be a good option for their on-duty EDC. IMHO.

(Disclaimer applies: I’ve nothing to do with ITS, other than listening to their podcasts, and don’t get any benefit mentioning above product. As I carry my TQs in EDC bags/backpacks I’ve no need yet for above product).
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Never actually have seen or manipulated that specific Pouch but after watching the videos and reading the item description. IMHO I find that it’s too bulky. If a pouch to have attached to the shoulder strap of a back pack. Otherwise it seems like a descent set up as long as you install the TQ in there properly.