Tourniquets

What These Are Built to Handle

Tourniquets are designed to stop severe, uncontrolled bleeding from arms or legs when other methods fail or aren’t fast enough. They are most commonly used in traumatic injuries involving machinery, tools, vehicle accidents, firearms, or major falls — situations where blood loss can become fatal within minutes.

In real-world use, tourniquets are applied early, often before a full assessment is possible. That means they must be simple to deploy, effective when applied one-handed, and capable of maintaining pressure during movement or evacuation. The tourniquets in this collection are intended for emergency response, not minor injuries, and should form part of a broader bleeding control or trauma management setup.

Who These Are Commonly Used By

Tourniquets are routinely carried by frontline professionals and individuals operating in higher-risk environments. This includes paramedics, police, military personnel, and fire and rescue teams, as well as remote workers, tradespeople, and off-road or 4WD travellers.

They are also increasingly used by trained civilians who want to be prepared for serious emergencies at home, on the road, or in public spaces. If you are responsible for others, operate far from immediate medical care, or work with tools and machinery, a properly selected tourniquet is a critical part of your medical preparedness.

What Matters When It Counts

Not all tourniquets perform the same under pressure. When choosing a tourniquet, reliability and usability matter more than brand recognition.

• One-handed application: You should be able to apply it to yourself if needed.
• Mechanical advantage: Windlass or ratcheting systems must generate and hold sufficient pressure.
• Durability: Materials should withstand heat, dirt, moisture, and repeated handling.
• Retention under movement: The tourniquet should not loosen during casualty movement.
• Training compatibility: It should match what you’ve been trained to use.

Avoid novelty designs or untested copies. In a real bleed, there’s no margin for failure.

Common Mistakes We See

One of the most common mistakes is carrying a tourniquet but never learning how to use it properly. Incorrect placement, insufficient tightening, or hesitation can all render it ineffective.

Another issue is buying low-quality replicas that look the part but fail under load. Tourniquets are not the place to cut corners. We also see people storing tourniquets loose or buried at the bottom of a bag, making them difficult to access quickly.

A tourniquet should be staged, accessible, and something you are confident deploying under stress — not just something you own.

Questions We Get Asked

When should a tourniquet be used?

A tourniquet should be used for severe bleeding from an arm or leg that cannot be controlled with direct pressure or when immediate bleeding control is required.

Are tourniquets safe to use?

When used correctly, modern tourniquets are safe and effective. The risk of uncontrolled bleeding far outweighs the risks associated with proper tourniquet use.

Can civilians legally carry tourniquets in Australia?

Yes. Tourniquets are legal to carry and are commonly included in first aid kits, trauma kits, and vehicle emergency setups.

What’s the difference between a CAT and a SOF tourniquet?

Both are proven designs. Differences relate to buckle systems, windlass construction, and user preference. Training and familiarity are more important than brand alone.

How tight should a tourniquet be?

A tourniquet must be tightened until bleeding stops. This will be uncomfortable, but inadequate tightening will not control bleeding.

Do tourniquets expire?

While many tourniquets do not have a strict expiry date, materials can degrade over time. Regular inspection and replacement when worn or damaged is recommended.

Should I carry more than one tourniquet?

In some scenarios, multiple tourniquets may be required. Many professionals carry at least two as part of their trauma setup.