Arterial hemorrhage from a limb can empty a casualty in minutes. The only thing that buys those minutes back is a tourniquet that goes on fast, holds occlusion, and works with the hand you have free — not a marketplace copy that snaps when it matters.
When the limb is pumping and you have one hand free, does the device in your kit actually occlude — or just look the part?
The C-A-T Gen 7 is the most-studied combat tourniquet in service. The windlass delivers the mechanical advantage to compress the artery against bone; the Single Routing Buckle removes threading steps so it goes on under stress and gloves; the wide band distributes force to hold occlusion through movement and transport. It is light enough to live in every IFAK and on every carrier.
Built To Work The First Time, Every Time
Single Routing Buckle
Fewer threading steps and faster application than earlier generations — built for stress, blood, and gloves.
Reinforced Windlass
Aggressive ribbing for positive grip when wet; the ambidextrous clip locks for left- or right-handed use.
Red Tip Technology®
Elliptical red tab gives tactile and visual confirmation the strap is routed correctly in low light.
2.7 oz / 1.5″ Strap
Light and compact enough to stage in an IFAK or on a plate carrier without bulk.
USAISR-Validated
Confirmed 100% effective at occluding arterial flow in upper and lower extremities by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research.
Genuine, Or It's A Liability
Search "C-A-T tourniquet" on Amazon or eBay and you'll find them for eight, ten, twelve dollars. Those are counterfeits — visually identical copies with weak internal bands, brittle windlasses that snap, and buckles that won't hold occlusion under real arterial pressure. They have failed on real casualties. A genuine C-A-T Gen 7 is not a $10 item, and on a device whose only job is to keep someone alive, the "deal" is the most expensive mistake you can make.
Every C-A-T MED-TAC ships is genuine North American Rescue — sourced directly from North American Rescue, never a third-party distributor or marketplace reseller. You receive the exact device the clinical data was built on. Guaranteed authentic.
Choose The Right Color
Black — 30-0001 — standard tactical color for military and LE; minimal visual signature.
Orange — 30-0033 — high-visibility for civilian, range, EMS, and public-access bleeding-control kits.
Blue — 30-0023 — training only; never load a blue trainer into an operational kit. All three are functionally identical and fully CoTCCC-recommended.
A Tourniquet Is Step One — Not The Whole Plan
A tourniquet controls extremity bleeding. Round out the rest of hemorrhage control:
The C-A-T Gen 7, Up Close
Genuine. CoTCCC-Recommended. In Every Kit.
Sourced directly from North American Rescue and shipped from a clinician-founded, veteran-led team.
Key Specifications
| Manufacturer | North American Rescue (Genuine C-A-T®) |
| CoTCCC Status | CoTCCC-recommended; U.S. Army standard since 2005 |
| Generation | Gen 7 |
| Weight | 2.7 oz |
| Strap Width | 1.5 in |
| Mechanism | Windlass with Single Routing Buckle, ambidextrous clip |
| Colors / SKUs | Black 30-0001 | Orange 30-0033 | Blue (training) 30-0023 |
When to Choose the C-A-T Gen 7
Available Variants:
- Tactical Black (SKU: 30-0001, NSN: 6515-01-521-7976) — standard field-issue color; DoD-authorized since 2005
- Rescue Orange (SKU: 30-0023, NSN: 6515-01-612-7129) — high-visibility for mass casualty events, EMS, public AED stations
- Trainer Blue (SKU: 30-0033, NSN: 6910-01-560-2972) — fully functional training version, visually coded for scenario use only; not for field deployment
- TCCC/TECC primary limb tourniquet — the CAT Gen 7 is CoTCCC-recommended and has been the U.S. Army's official tourniquet since 2005. If your protocol calls for a windlass TQ, this is the reference standard.
- Law enforcement and TEMS belt kit — the rigid windlass locks after a single spin; no secondary locking step. One-hand application under stress is achievable with trained technique.
- Stop The Bleed and public AED cabinet staging — the most-trained tourniquet in civilian BCON curricula worldwide. Bystanders trained on the CAT apply it correctly on the first attempt.
- DoD and government procurement — listed as Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army (NSN: 6515-01-521-7976 for Black). MED-TAC is SDVOSB-certified for set-aside procurement support.
- Mass casualty response — at 2.7 oz and packaged L 6.5" × W 2.4" × D 1.5", the CAT fits in every IFAK, ankle kit, and duty belt pouch configuration.
Application: Apply 2–3 inches proximal to the wound (never over a joint). Route, tighten hand-over-hand, then windlass to cessation of distal bleeding/pulse. Lock. Note time on the white label immediately — use permanent marker, not skin marker.
Critical reminder: A tourniquet that does not produce discomfort in a conscious patient has not achieved arterial occlusion in most adults. Undertightening is the leading field error. Tighten until bleeding stops — not until it "feels snug."
C-A-T Gen 7 vs. Common Alternatives
CAT Gen 7 vs. SOFTT-W: Both are CoTCCC-recommended windlass tourniquets. The CAT uses a wide friction-buckle outer band; the SOFTT-W uses a metal ring-and-strap routing system with a metal windlass rod. The CAT is faster for upper-extremity self-application; the SOFTT-W's all-metal windlass is more durable in extreme cold where polymer can become brittle. For most users, fleet standardization is the deciding factor.
CAT Gen 7 vs. RATS (Rapid Application Tourniquet System): The RATS is not on the CoTCCC recommended list. For TCCC-protocol applications, specify the CAT or SOFTT-W. Elastic-constriction devices have not demonstrated consistent arterial occlusion in independent testing on adult lower extremities.
CAT Gen 7 vs. SWAT-T: The SWAT-T is a stretch-and-wrap elastic bandage useful for junctional and pediatric hemorrhage — not a primary windlass tourniquet substitute for arterial bleeds in adult limbs. Pair a CAT with a SWAT-T for junction coverage; do not replace one with the other.
CAT Gen 7 (Black/Orange) vs. Trainer Blue (30-0033): The Trainer Blue is fully functional but color-coded blue for scenario training. It is NOT for field deployment — confirm the color you are ordering. MED-TAC stocks Black (30-0001) and Orange (30-0023) for operational use.
CAT Gen 7 vs. CAT Gen 6: Gen 7 added reinforced strap routing and an updated windlass strap welding process (2025). Both remain on the CoTCCC list; Gen 7 is the current issue standard. If a vendor is selling Gen 6 as Gen 7, the difference is visible in the outer band seam construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a genuine North American Rescue CAT Gen 7?
A: Yes. MED-TAC sources exclusively from North American Rescue or authorized distributors. Counterfeit CATs are a documented field safety issue — they fail under tightening load. Verify authenticity via the NAR holographic label on packaging and the embossed 'C-A-T' on the windlass rod.
Q: What is the difference between Tactical Black (30-0001) and Rescue Orange (30-0023)?
A: Functionally identical — same Gen 7 construction, same field performance. Orange is high-visibility for mass casualty events, EMS staging, and public AED stations where rapid identification matters. Trainer Blue (30-0033) is also fully functional but is color-coded blue for training scenarios only — not for field staging.
Q: Can the CAT Gen 7 be applied one-handed?
A: Yes. It is designed for single-handed self-application. The friction buckle routes the band around the limb with one hand; the windlass turns and locks with the strong hand. Leg application is harder than arm application due to diameter — practice both during training. CoTCCC standard: one-handed self-application in under 60 seconds.
Q: How tight do I need to make it?
A: Tighten until distal bleeding stops and there is no palpable distal pulse. This will be painful for a conscious casualty — that is expected and correct. A tourniquet that causes no discomfort has not achieved arterial occlusion in most adult limbs. Mark the application time on the white label immediately using a permanent marker.
Q: Does MED-TAC offer volume pricing for unit or agency procurement?
A: Yes. Contact us for volume pricing on 10+ unit orders. We carry Tactical Black and Rescue Orange in stock. As an SDVOSB-certified supplier, MED-TAC supports government purchase orders and set-aside procurement. Email orders@tactical-medicine.com for terms and lead times.
Related searches: CAT tourniquet Gen 7, Combat Application Tourniquet, North American Rescue tourniquet, CoTCCC tourniquet, NAR CAT Gen 7, one-handed tourniquet, limb tourniquet, bleeding control tourniquet, IFAK tourniquet, Army standard tourniquet
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Available Options:
- Black
- Orange
- Blue
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 2.4 Inches |
| Length | 6.5 Inches |
| Height | 1.5 Inches |
| Weight | 2.7 Oz. |
| Dimensions | 37.5 Inches Open Length |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
