Best Tourniquets for Trauma & Survival
Injuries happen. Traumatic injuries with blood loss happen. This type of injury can be deadly, and there are very few first-aid resources that can address it. The tourniquet has been around for a while and has been controversial. But over time, we’ve learned that the tourniquets are your best shot at survival when used properly. That is why it is important to have the best tourniquet available in your first aid kit trauma module. There are several options to consider when it comes to tourniquets, including cinching type, size, and versatility.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best tourniquets, tested each of them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a lightweight option, a durable option, and the best bands for phlebotomy. If you need a tourniquet that will stop the blood flow in an emergency, one of our picks will hold it all together.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
In this latest update of the best tourniquets, additional pictures have been added, and new selections have been made. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Tourniquet
CAT Gen 7
CoTCCC Approved, Small, and Easy to Use
A windlass with a lock makes cinching down the bleeding easy, even with just one hand.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
With the Gen 7 sporting a better windlass and buckle, the original Combat Action Tourniquet is slightly better. Pioneering the one-handed application and trusted by military forces worldwide, this tourniquet has earned its place.
Specifications
- Width: 1.5″
- Length: 37.5″
- Pressure Device: Polymer 5.5″ windlass
- NSN: 6515-01-521-7976
- Weight: 3.0 ounces
CATs are also the target of a huge number of impostors. You can find them online, in kits, and in stores, but they won’t be CoTCCC tested, approved, and are of inferior quality. Don’t skimp on lifesaving supplies- we’ve compared them head to head, and the quality difference is apparent despite the knock-offs weighing a quarter ounce more.
It’s usually easy to tell the real deals apart since they have ‘CAT’ stamped on the windlass and buckle, have the printing on the strap of the NSN, generation, and lot number, and have noticeably better nonwoven welding (won’t rip easily at fabric welds).
CAT Gen 8
The Combat Application Tourniquet is nearing its 8th iteration, with minor updates planned for the current version, the Gen 7 that was released in 2016. Gen 7 uses the same NSN as Gen 6, and Gen 8 will continue using that same number. Although the Gen 8 is near, it’s not worth waiting for if you need a dependable tourniquet.
With solid quality and a price that doesn’t break the bank, it’s easy to see how the CAT Gen7 Tourniquet is still the best choice out of all of the competition.
Best EDC Tourniquet
Snakestaff ETQ
Compact, Lightweight, and Effective
The ETQ shaves precious ounces off combat tourniquet weight, making it ideal for EDC.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The Snakestaff Systems ETQ is designed specifically for EDC use, which explains why it fits the role so well.
Specifications
- Width: 1.5″
- Length: 37.5″
- Pressure Device: Polymer 5.5″ windlass
- NSN: 6515-01-696-4522
- Weight: 1.8 ounces
It’s lighter than all other windlass tourniquet options, except for Snakestaff’s 1″ ETQ. We suggest the 1.5″ despite its higher weight because that extra compression area makes the tourniquet more effective and more comfortable.
Like most other combat tourniquets, the ETQ has already evolved and is on its Gen 2 model.
Pick up a Snakestaff Systems ETQ to complete your EDC medical loadout.
Upgrade Survival Tourniquet
SOF T Gen 5
CoTCCC Approved, High-Quality, and Durable
High-quality materials and ratchet precision make one-handed cinching, well… a cinch!
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Ratcheting takes the CAT one step further, significantly improving how easily you can use a tourniquet. You can operate this with the palm of a single hand- no finger dexterity is required! It also allows for precise mechanical pressure- easily increase or decrease pressure with the ratchet and release.
Specifications
- Width: 1.5″
- Length: 45″
- Pressure Device: Aluminum 5.5″ windlass
- NSN: 6515-01-696-4522
- Weight: 3.8 ounces
These have started earning a favorite status with EMTs all over the country. In stressful situations, you won’t know how well you’ll handle a wound windlass but ratcheting makes it simple for anyone. Plus, it’s not much heavier than a CAT.
If you are looking for the best of the best, pick up a TacMed SOF T Gen 5 for your trauma kits.
Best Disposable Tourniquets
Vakly
25-Pack, Latex-Free, and Disposable
Banded phlebotomy tourniquets still have their place in first aid emergency kits.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
While they aren’t designed for bleeding control, disposable elastic tourniquets still earn a spot in medical kits for blood draws, intravenous injections, and IV insertions.
Specifications
- Quantity: 25 bands
- Width: 1″
- Length: 18″
- Pressure Device: Elastic
- Weight: 7 grams (5.6 ounces total)
Their low cost and fast application make them ideal for controlled phlebotomy tasks. They have a great hold with a slightly texturized surface and are comfortable at their 1″ width. They are perfect for IVs and can help you find a vein faster than the other emergency tourniquets we reviewed above.
If you are looking for dependable tourniquet bands, pick up a Vakly Disposable Tourniquet 25-Pack for your medical kit.
Comparison Table
| Tourniquet | Recommendation | Price* | Width | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Gen7 | Best Overall | $32 | 1.5″ | 37.5″ | 3.0 oz |
| Snakestaff ETQ | Best for EDC Portability | $32 | 1.5″ | 37.5″ | 1.8 oz |
| TacMed SOF T Gen5 | Best for Durability | $34 | 1.5″ | 45″ | 3.8 oz |
| Vakly Disposable | Best for Phlebotomy | $8 | 1″ | 18″ | 7.0 g |
The Tourniquets We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several tourniquets that we tested: CAT, ETQ, m2, Rhino Rescue, EverReady, TacMed, Primacare, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We focused on combat, trauma, and survival tourniquets. We excluded pretty much every other type of tourniquet, like quick blood draw tourniquets, since they are not for emergency applications. Those are useful in certain situations- but did not fit our focus.
We’re always looking for new and better equipment, so if you have a survival tourniquet that you swear by, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can always get it in the next roundup and see if it makes the cut, and we can see if it will beat out our top picks.
Why Trust TruePrepper
Tourniquets can be lifesaving in the right hands, but anyone who uses one needs proper training.
I’m Sean Gold, and I was introduced to combat tourniquets during my time in the US Air Force. After my initial training on the CAT, I trained further to become a Buddy Aid train-the-trainer. I designed courses and trained airmen on how to stop hemorrhages with tourniquets, among other enhanced first aid topics.
I bought all of the tourniquets we tested, using measurements and data where I could. I use our top picks in my own kits and trust them with my life and those around me.
What to Look For
The best survival tourniquets have several important features to look for:
- Value
- CoTCCC Approval
- Cinching Function
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a reliable tourniquet that will help you tackle a worst-case bleed-out. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the tourniquets that set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a tourniquet shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Don’t overspend or overdo it. Budget according to your risk and your needs rather than just spending lavishly.
On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. If the windlass snaps off on the first use, it’s not going to do much good when you are trying to stem the bleeding.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like tourniquets. It’s better to diversify your preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value with not too high a price, which is where our top pick sits.
CoTCCC Approval
The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) is part of the U.S. military’s Joint Trauma System and is the standard bearer for tourniquet effectiveness.
If a tourniquet doesn’t meet CoTCCC standards, it doesn’t make its list. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the tourniquet is useless- you will just want to keep this in mind when you are planning your first aid kit trauma pack.
Cinching Function
The compression that a tourniquet can provide and how you apply that pressure is key to the main function of stopping the bleeding. There are a few methods with various benefits:
- Windlass – rotational compression from a CAT is pretty much the standard, can be done one-handed, and offers some variability.
- Ratcheting – ratcheting compression is relatively new for tourniquets, can be one-handed as well, and is very precise and powerful with pressure.
- Stretch Wrap – not CoTCCC approved, but very similar to medical tourniquets, it’s a stretch band meant to be wrapped tightly and tucked.
The size of the tourniquet band can also factor into the applied pressure since a wider width will distribute pressure over a larger area.
Size & Weight
The profile of a tourniquet is usually pretty small. Even still, ounces can matter when you are packing mobile survival kits. It can be easy to overload yourself by packing gear without checking out the weight first. If you do this, you can easily end up with a bag you won’t be able to lug more than a few miles.
You also want to be able to access the tourniquet quickly. Tourniquet holders and mounts can make this easier, so you don’t have to dig in your kit to save a life.
Versatility
There are only a few accessories that help tourniquets, but being able to write the application time on the tourniquet itself is always nice. If the tourniquet doesn’t have one, you’ll need to mark the forehead beyond just the ‘T’ for the tourniquet.
Tourniquet holders, as we mentioned above, are a popular item that can reduce the tourniquet deployment time. This helps save lives when seconds matter.
How to Use a Tourniquet?
A tourniquet should only be used in life-threatening emergencies when bleeding cannot be controlled through other means, such as direct pressure or elevation of the wound. Here are the steps for using a tourniquet:
- Locate the wound: Identify the source of the bleeding and the location of the wound.
- Position the tourniquet: Place the tourniquet around the limb, 2-3″ above the wound. The tourniquet should be placed on the side of the limb closest to the heart.
- Tighten the tourniquet: Use the tourniquet’s tightening mechanism to constrict the blood flow to the limb. The tourniquet should be tightened until the bleeding stops.
- Secure the tourniquet: Once the tourniquet is in place and tightened, secure it in place with a knot or clip to prevent it from slipping.
- Mark the time: Once the tourniquet is in place, mark the time on the tourniquet or on the patient’s skin to indicate how long the tourniquet has been in place.
- Seek medical attention: Call for medical help or transport the patient to a hospital as soon as possible. It is important to get medical attention as soon as possible because leaving a tourniquet in place for too long can cause serious damage to the limb.
Warning: Improper use of a tourniquet can cause severe damage and be life-threatening. Training is highly recommended, such as a Stop-the-Bleed or Combat Lifesaver course.
It is important to note that using a tourniquet is a last resort and should only be used in life-threatening emergencies. If a tourniquet is not available, you should still try to continue direct pressure and elevation of the injury.
PrepMedic has one of the best video demonstrations on how to use a tourniquet:
Who Needs a Tourniquet?
Tourniquets are not completely necessary in several kits, especially if you are untrained on how to use one.
They are essential for:
We suggest them in your standard first aid kit:
Have them easily accessible or staged in a spot where you can quickly pull them out and use them quickly when seconds count.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival tourniquet is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Navein, J., et al. (2003). The Tourniquet Controversy. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care. Volume 54. Issue 5. Pages S219 – S220. (Source)
Fitzgibbons, P. MD, et al. (2012). Safe Tourniquet Use: A Review of the Evidence. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Volume 20. Issue 5. Pages 310 – 319. (Source)
Welling, D. MD, et al. (2012). A Brief History of the Tourniquet. Journal of Vascular Surgery. Volume 55. Issue 1. Pages 286 – 290. (Source)
Conclusion
Being able to combat lifesaving first aid skills is great for self-sufficient survival, and if you can take one course to learn something new, this would be the one we suggest. First aid is always an invaluable skill, and leveling up your skills to address traumatic injuries can make you that much more prepared for disasters.
If you pick up one of our suggested tourniquets, make sure you are familiar with it and know how to use it. Get trained in trauma first aid and understand basic lifesaving procedures. You don’t want to encounter a survival situation fumbling with new gear.
Here are a few related articles our readers have also found helpful:
- The Best Sting Relief for First Aid and Survival
- The Best Emergency Food Bars for Prepping and Survival
- Survival First Aid Kit Guide, Gear List, and Checklist
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
Prepping Your Way
No judgement and no imperatives. Prepare the way you want to with the trusted source millions of modern preppers have relied on.Our newsletter fires out every Monday where you can expect:
- Practical prepping guides and tips
- Thorough survival gear reviews
- Noticeably absent spam and popups
- < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
