Originally Posted by
SeriousStudent
Two of the better tactical medical trainers are Caleb Causey of Lone Star Medics and Kerry Davis of Dark Angel Medical. I have trained with both, and Caleb is a friend. Most of the people in this thread either know them or have trained with them.
Neither recommends the Recon TQ or the RATS. In fact, it's pretty entertaining to listen to them discuss both items.
When you have 18D's, Ranger Medics and SAR Corpsmen saying "avoid", I tend to do exactly that. I have SOFTT-W tourniquets in my bags, along with a couple of CATS. I prefer the SOF model based on extensive practice sessions under a stopwatch, and used one on someone that ND'd into their leg at a CHL course.
He failed to qualify, by the way.... I knew someone would ask.
As a flight paramedic, I used a lot of TQ's "back in the day". I'm no longer current, so I respect people like TCCC.
Add to the fact that the folks at Recon blatantly ripped off other people's work, and I see no reason to reward that.
The advice to avoid shopping for TQ's on Amazon and eBay is good. As warned, there are tons of Chinese counterfeits in both venues.
If people want to use a bootlace and a stick; well, good for them. But it's NOT a good idea to pass them off as a recommended course of action. I've used a dishtowel to try and staunch a shotgun wound. But "possible" is not the same as "preferred".
Edit to add: If you want to go shopping, some vendors that I personally use are Tactical Medical Solutions, Rescue Essentials and Austere Provisions.