Hey everyone, Doc Miles at North American Rescue. Let's talk about how to properly carry and store your C-A-T® tourniquet.

The C-A-T® tourniquet doesn't have an expiration date as long as it's in good serviceable condition. So if you carry it exposed to the elements, the sun, the wind, the rain, the dust, then it's going to wear down and deteriorate more frequently. And you're going to need to replace that more frequently than you would if you carry it in a dedicated tourniquet holder.

RUBBER BAND

This is how a lot of us used to carry them in the military. Advantage here is that it's out, it's easily exposed and easily accessed. You can grab it with one hand. Rip the rubber band right off and place it on very quickly without it worrying about it getting hung up. Disadvantage is we had to replace these frequently, right? So every rotation you're grabbing a new C-A-T® and burning through them.

LCL / NYLON TQ

So some other options are to completely cover it in one of these. Like laser cut laminate or nylon ones. It also protects that hook and loop from catching on anything like shirt or any of your kit.

BUILT-IN TQ HOLDERS

We've also got some kits with dedicated tourniquet holders built in again, rapid access, but it's providing some coverage and protection.

PLATE CARRIER TO HOLDER

We've also got one that attaches to plate carriers like the rubber band option. This also leaves the C-A-T® exposed to elements and will require more frequent replacements.

RIGID TQ HOLDERS

And then you've also got rigid tourniquet holders. There's shirt protector on this one and then this one completely covers it up.

A lot of different options on there on how to carry it. Just remember the better you protect that the longer it's going to last and it's going to be there ready for you when you need it.