Top Tourniquet Brands: Essential Picks for Reliable Emergency Care

When it comes to emergency medical equipment, selecting the right tourniquet is crucial, as it can be a life-saving tool in critical situations. With numerous brands available, each offering various features and designs, it is essential for medical professionals and first responders to choose the most reliable ones. Factors such as ease of application, durability, and effectiveness should be considered when making a purchase. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the best tourniquet brands in the market below.

Illustration of tourniquet

Best brands of tourniquet in 2025

CAT

The Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) by C*A*T Resources is a paramount innovation in prehospital care, proven to be 100% effective by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research and credited with reducing mortality rates due to extreme exsanguination by 85% since its introduction in 2005. The CAT GEN7 model features a single routing buckle, reinforced windlass rod, and patented free-moving internal band, ensuring faster application, decreased blood loss, and simplified training. It is the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army and is used by both conventional and Special Operation forces. The CAT has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 Greatest Inventions" by the U.S. Army and is recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Its design allows for true one-handed application and effective performance in all weather conditions. For more information, visit the Combat Application Tourniquet website.

SAM Medical

SAM Medical is renowned as a leading innovator in the production of high-quality tourniquets, particularly with their SAM XT Extremity Tourniquet, which is recommended by the U.S. Department of Defense's Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC). This tourniquet features TRUFORCE(tm) Buckle technology, ensuring precise and secure application. SAM Medical's products are designed for intuitive use, making them accessible to both emergency medical personnel and civilians. The company's commitment to engineering products that preserve life is evident in their innovative designs and user-friendly applications. With a focus on rapid and effective tourniquet application, SAM Medical continues to be a trusted name in emergency medical supplies.

SOF Tactical Tourniquet

The SOF Tactical Tourniquet (SOFTT) is renowned for its excellence in the field of tourniquet design and functionality, resulting from a 24-month research initiative that incorporated end-user research and laboratory studies. It features a true 1 1/2" constricting band, providing a wider compression pattern for increased patient comfort and arterial compression. The tourniquet's high-strength, lightweight alloy components ensure reliability, even in the most challenging environments, and it is approximately 15% lighter than previous models. The quick-connect, snap-lock buckle design allows for rapid re-routing of the band without rethreading, enhancing ease of use under stress. This design has been patented, reflecting its innovative and effective design. For more detailed information about the SOF Tactical Tourniquet, visit their website.

RATs

The RATs (Rapid Application Tourniquet) is recognized for its efficiency and ease of use, although it lags behind other brands like the CAT in terms of correct application rates, with only 11.8% of participants correctly applying the RATs in a study. It is made in the USA, features a vulcanized rubber core, and is designed for one-handed application, making it compact and suitable for everyday carry (EDC). Despite its lower success rate, the RATs is praised for its simplicity and versatility, particularly in pediatric applications. However, it requires practice to apply effectively, as noted by user reviews. The RATs tourniquet is a valuable option for those needing a lightweight and easy-to-use tourniquet. For more information, you can visit their official page: RATs Tourniquet.

SWAT-T Tourniquet

The SWAT-T Tourniquet, developed by H&H Medical and Safeguard Medical, stands out as a highly versatile and effective tool for controlling extremity bleeding, particularly in high-risk operational environments where it can be applied rapidly and with minimal training. It is notable for its ease of use, allowing application in seconds, and its multi-function design that can also serve as a pressure wrap, elastic wrap, sling, or to secure a splint. The SWAT-T has undergone rigorous testing, including over 5,000 cycles of 250% strain and extreme temperature tests, demonstrating its durability. Despite initial scoring issues in certain trials, revised data shows the SWAT-T scoring above 87.3% in some evaluations, surpassing other popular models like the CAT and SOFT Wide. For more information, visit the official SWAT-T Tourniquet page.

REEBOW Tactical

REEBOW Tactical, although not specifically recognized for tourniquets, is well-regarded for producing high-quality tactical gear, including backpacks and various other equipment. However, when it comes to tourniquets, brands like North American Rescue and Tactical Medical Solutions take prominence, offering products such as the CAT tourniquet and the SOF-T tourniquet, both tested and proven 100% effective in stopping blood flow according to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. These tourniquets are essential tools in emergency medical scenarios, providing reliable performance and complete hemostatic control.

NAR

North American Rescue (NAR) is renowned as one of the leading producers of tourniquets, particularly the Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), which has been the Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army since 2005. The C-A-T has been proven 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper and lower extremities by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research. This one-handed tourniquet is designed for quick and effective application, featuring innovations like the Single Routing Buckle for faster use and the Red Tip Technology for visual cues. The C-A-T is widely used by both conventional and Special Operation forces and has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 Greatest Inventions" by the U.S. Army. Its effectiveness and ease of use make it a critical tool in prehospital settings.

TMT

The Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT) is a highly regarded and CoTCCC-recommended device, known for its 2-inch wide pressure band that enhances hemorrhage control and reduces the need for secondary tourniquet applications. It has undergone comprehensive field evaluations, including successful Phase I through Phase IIIB evaluations by the Navy Medical Research Unit San Antonio, and has been fielded in over 140,000 units within US Military Units. The TMT received an 80.9% positive feedback from end-users, highlighting its effective design and ease of application. It is designed to eliminate unnecessary steps, such as pre-loading, and features a patented windlass clip that secures with a confirmatory click. With nearly 100 live uses, the TMT has proven its capabilities in various environments and conditions. For more detailed information, visit the Combat Medical website.

STAT Medical

STAT Medical is a renowned producer of high-quality tourniquets, contributing significantly to the global surgical tourniquets market, which is projected to reach USD 960.58 million by 2033 with a CAGR of 7.26% from 2024 to 2033. The company's products are favored for their reliability and effectiveness, particularly in hospitals and trauma centers, which accounted for the largest share of the market in recent years. The increasing incidence of road accidents and the growing number of joint replacement surgeries further drive the demand for STAT Medical's tourniquets. The Asia Pacific region, expected to grow at the highest CAGR, presents a significant opportunity for the company's expansion. With major players like Delfi Medical Innovations Inc and Stryker Corporation, STAT Medical stands out for its innovative solutions.

Recon Medical Tourniquet

The Recon Medical Tourniquet, although resembling the esteemed CAT tourniquet, lacks the critical endorsement of the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (Co-TCCC) and has been embroiled in a patent infringement lawsuit with Composite Resources, the maker of the CAT tourniquet. Despite its design similarities, there is no substantial scientific evidence to support its efficacy, and it has been criticized for lacking human volunteer testing and quality control issues, including delamination problems with devices manufactured in China. The device has been used in some commercial and educational settings but is not recommended due to the absence of rigorous testing. In December 2021, a jury found in favor of Composite Resources, leading to a permanent injunction against Recon Medical. This has resulted in Recon Medical filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Nevada. For more detailed insights, visit the Crisis Medicine website.