Unfortunately, I've heard many say, "I'll just use a belt."
Not good.
Patients often bleed out from just using a belt.
Instead, buy several CATs (Combat Application Tourniquet's).
The CAT is a life saving tool that has been proven in combat. You can learn to apply it in minutes and to put it on in seconds.
In that Golden Hour, it keeps a patient from bleeding out before they can get medical attention to the wound.
Many police, fire fighters, EMTs, and other first responders keep a CAT on their belt, in the car, and at home to help staunch bleeding.
Patients often bleed out from just using a belt.
Instead, buy several CATs (Combat Application Tourniquet's).
The CAT is a life saving tool that has been proven in combat. You can learn to apply it in minutes and to put it on in seconds.
In that Golden Hour, it keeps a patient from bleeding out before they can get medical attention to the wound.
Many police, fire fighters, EMTs, and other first responders keep a CAT on their belt, in the car, and at home to help staunch bleeding.
Keep a CAT on your sun visor in your vehicle so you can reach it quickly if it turns over on the road.
Here is a good description of the tourniquet from North American Rescue.
https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html
"Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army
Proven to be 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper & lower extremities by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research
NEW Single Routing Buckle for faster application, decreased blood loss, effective slack removal, fewer windlass turns, and simplified training with single protocol application standards
Includes reinforced windlass, stabilization plate, windlass clip and writeable windlass security strap
Featuring North American Rescue's signature Red Tip Technology® elliptical tab providing added visual clues during application
https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html
"Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army
Proven to be 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper & lower extremities by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research
NEW Single Routing Buckle for faster application, decreased blood loss, effective slack removal, fewer windlass turns, and simplified training with single protocol application standards
Includes reinforced windlass, stabilization plate, windlass clip and writeable windlass security strap
Featuring North American Rescue's signature Red Tip Technology® elliptical tab providing added visual clues during application
It has been tested and proven effective and was listed as the best pre-hospital tourniquet in the February 2008 supplement of The Journal of Trauma
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. Tests proved that the CAT completely occluded blood flow of an extremity in the event of a traumatic wound with significant hemorrhage.
The Gen 7 CAT utilizes a durable windlass system with a patented free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. A hook and loop windlass retention strap is then applied, securing the windlass to maintain pressure during casualty evacuation. The CAT’s unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival stress or where fine motor skills are compromised.
The patented Combat Application Tourniquet® (C-A-T®) featuring the proprietary red tip design and the mechanical advantage of a band within a band has been the Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army since 2005.
The CAT Tourniquet uses a durable windlass system with a patented free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. A hook and loop windlass retention strap is then applied, securing the windlass to maintain pressure during casualty evacuation. The tourniquets unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival."
The CAT Tourniquet uses a durable windlass system with a patented free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. A hook and loop windlass retention strap is then applied, securing the windlass to maintain pressure during casualty evacuation. The tourniquets unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival."
