Fake Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT's)

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Originally Posted by clodhopper

I am not trying to be an ass. BUT.... the video you reference does not answer my question. The only thing close was his test that the original needed only 2 twists while the fake needed 5. That doesn't tell me it wont be serviceable, but rather difference in application/use.

I get it. It is important to support quality providers, and there are many fanbois of having the best of the best. I am not LEO, paramedic, etc. EVERYTHING I purchase has to pass through the cost/value matrix as my money isn't endless and I have much more to purchase than just a fancy top end first aid kit.

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I watched another video recently of a guy applying fake CATs to his own leg. They all broke before they could be applied correctly. I'll try to dig it up.

EDIT: link to more info and video.

Soldiersystems.net/2017/03/27/caveat-emptor-counterfeit-tourniquets-remain-an-issue/




https://vimeo.com/67103253

As I said in my previous post: (Page 1 #10)

We (Other TCCC instructors and I) played around with 5 from Amazon:

• Weaker plastics - while using one we bent the windlass rod after a 1.5 turns, had one where the rod locking clip just bent out of the way from the pressure. Another where the clip broke and one where the buckles broke under pressure.
• Velcro - not sewn properly, started to peel off during use
• Windless Strap - wasn't actually running the entire length or snapped as seen in the video.

I had the privilege to train with the guys from North American Rescue and they had a suitcase of "off brand" CATs and they all broke under conditions that the real deal held up to.

It's $30 for a CAT, I get it. But it's a crap shoot on the fakes.

You might get lucky, we had one fake that we couldn't break. But it was from the same batch/seller as the ones we did break. You won't know until it's time to use it.

I don't know, $30 is about what I spend on a trip to the liquor store, and always less than what I spend on a tank of gas. I understand that fakes are half the price, but when the top price is only $30, I can't really justify the regular monetary litmus tests I would usually use.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clodhopper

I am not LEO, paramedic, etc. EVERYTHING I purchase has to pass through the cost/value matrix as my money isn't endless and I have much more to purchase than just a fancy top end first aid kit.

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We are not talking about "a fancy top end first aid kit" but about a very important single component that anyone can learn to use to save themselves or another persons LIFE. I find it pretty sad that for the price difference of two bad fast food meals someone could find themselves saying to a person bleeding out....... Sorry dude ! My crap fake CAT- T just broke on you but I did save a FEW DOLLARS !!!

The chances of me having to use my ccw pistol in a defensive shooting are probably around the same as having to use a tourniquete, still, I would prefer my one Glock over two Hi Points any day.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Beating a dead pony, So how about purchasing the lesser cost item and testing it full strength, if it busts send it back. Find a lesser brand that functions and go with it. Pain in the butt, I know.

Anyone have a REAL one bust during use?

I'm more prone to buying quality items, but when it comes to the first aid kits and items, I would like to have one for every vehicle or every person or both. That adds up to a lot of $$'s.

Are they made by Geico, or The General?


I jest of course. I have legit CAT included in the IFAK's I purchased.

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

Beating a dead pony, So how about purchasing the lesser cost item and testing it full strength, if it busts send it back. Find a lesser brand that functions and go with it. Pain in the butt, I know.

Anyone have a REAL one bust during use?

I'm more prone to buying quality items, but when it comes to the first aid kits and items, I would like to have one for every vehicle or every person or both. That adds up to a lot of $$'s.

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Looking around amazon the knock offs are going for about $14, so we are talking about $15-16 extra to have a real/good one.

I'm finding it really hard to believe that we are having three pages of discussion over $15....15 [Censor] dollars. A movie ticket? A run to McD's? Starbucks? To risk finding a "good" off brand? Really!?!

I'm done [Mad]

9/10 Funeral Directors recommend fake CAT's. 1/10 works part time as a paramedic.

Eta: Those into saving $10-15 might consider also getting some knock-off NPAs:

https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB17D89K...ws-in-bulk.jpg


Needle Chest Decompression money saving idea: scour the local SHARPS bin for used syringes.

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Originally Posted by rfizzle

Looking around amazon the knock offs are going for about $14, so we are talking about $15-16 extra to have a real/good one.

I'm finding it really hard to believe that we are having three pages of discussion over $15....15 [Censor] dollars. A movie ticket? A run to McD's? Starbucks? To risk finding a "good" off brand? Really!?!

I'm done [Mad]

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Get over yourself. Sorry we are taxing your sensibilities. Sure, we are talking only 15 effin dollars, until you look beyond your own self and think that other people may be buying for more than just themselves. Personally, I am looking at buying 8 or so. Your piddly little $15 difference just became significant dollars for me. See why I am trying to get a better understanding on the whole situation? So far I have only heard that the lower dollar ones sometime break, but that could be ruled out by testing it, and since it isn't a sterile or one-shot item, certainly test it. Probably a good thing for training if not just to verify the product. Oh, and the other reason not to buy a knock off... "Ya effin tightwad, its only 15 bones ya f*cktard!" yeah, that is a good reason all by itself.

Sheesh.