CAT Gen 7 Tourniquet

Despite the proven effectiveness of the Combat Application Tourniquet® from North American Rescue (NAR), the new C-A-T® GEN7 goes even further to make it more convenient and faster to use. All six components of the Combat Application Tourniquet® have been redesigned and improved on the C-A-T® GEN7.

What is the CAT Gen 7 tourniquet?

The CAT Gen 7 is a modern military tourniquet designed for rapid control of arterial bleeding on the battlefield or in emergency situations. It is widely used by military personnel, tactical medicine medics, paramedics and TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) instructors in NATO countries, including the USA, Great Britain and Canada, and now in Ukraine as well.

Recognised as the best prehospital tourniquet in a supplement to The Journal of Trauma (February 2008), the patented C-A-T® (Combat Application Tourniquet®) is a true one-handed tourniquet with 100% effectiveness confirmed by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research.

During testing, the C-A-T was proven to completely stop blood flow in a limb in cases of traumatic injury with severe bleeding.

The Gen 7 CAT model features a reliable rod mechanism (windlass) with a patented internal moving band that creates true circumferential pressure around the limb. Once tightened sufficiently, the bleeding stops and the rod is locked in place. A hook-and-loop securing strap is then applied, which holds the rod and maintains constant pressure during casualty evacuation.

The patented C-A-T® tourniquet, with its signature red tip and unique band-within-a-band design, has been the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army since 2005.

The innovations used in the C-A-T® are protected by U.S. Patents No. 7,842,067 and 7,892,253.

Advantages of the original CAT Gen 7 tourniquet:

• Certification by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC)
• Reinforced hook-and-loop fastener that holds securely even in wet conditions
• One hand — fully capable of self-application
• Compact size for carrying in a pouch, on body armour or on a belt
• Visual application time indicator (white time strip)
• Durable construction — retains its shape in wet, dusty and freezing conditions

Who is it for?

The CAT Gen 7 tourniquet is a must-have for AFU and Territorial Defence personnel, assault unit troops, sappers, combat training instructors, as well as civilians taking tactical medicine courses or travelling to high-risk areas. Its effectiveness has been proven both in training and in real combat conditions.

Applying the tourniquet

1. Positioning:

Apply the tourniquet to the injured limb 5–7 cm above the site of bleeding. If the source of bleeding is not visible, place the tourniquet as high up the limb as possible.

2. Tightening

Tighten the tourniquet firmly by pulling the end of the strap. Secure the self-adhesive band around the limb. The tourniquet must be tight enough that the tips of three fingers cannot fit between it and the skin.

3. Stopping the bleeding

Twist the rod (windlass) until arterial bleeding stops completely and the peripheral pulse disappears.

4. Securing

Lock the rod in the clip. Then pass the remaining strap through the clip and over the rod. Secure everything with the white band.

5. Marking

Write the exact time of tourniquet application on the white band.

6. Preparing for evacuation

Once the tourniquet has been applied, prepare the casualty for transport.

How to tell an original CAT from a fake?

We supply exclusively original CAT Generation 7 tourniquets from North American Rescue. Fakes are often found on the market and may cost less, but they do not occlude arteries properly, which can cost a life. The original has: a crisp embossed NAR logo, quality plastic, a strong hook-and-loop fastener, and the correct font on the time strip. Avoid replicas — choose a proven product.

*Fenton Pharmaceuticals - the official UK distributor of products from North American Rescue.