STOP Buying Fake CAT Tourniquets

[@SkinnyMedic]

Buy from here: medicalgearoutfitters.com/collections/tourniquets-holders/products/gen-7-combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t

[@frankA0302]

SkinnyMedic: I have a fake, how do I get a free real one? 😂🤪

[@og8403]

SkinnyMedic any promo codes?

[@BackHomeGunReviews]

Is the recon medical tq good

[@johnsexsmith9298]

The Red Cross also sells them as well and St. Johns Ambulance.

[@ThompsonJosh98]

If you would ship to Canada I would but 300 dollars of gear off of you. But now I have to get it off of Amazon and hope that my Israeli bandage and cat are real

[@kevinlin7674]

I've read several paramedics unaware of carrying counterfeit CAT in the fields, and the windlass snapped while trying to stop the bleeding. There should be strict laws on counterfeiting medical products as this is a device that decides life and death.

[@AWDfreak]

Seriously. It's sickening that there are counterfeit, inferior-quality products out there designed to deceive those purchasing them as products designed to save lives but due to their lower quality will become a serious liability in a life-or-death situation.

[@crazyirishmedic9535]

kevin lin I am an EMT and had legit CATs fail on me, I know they were legit because they were direct from the the local military base.

[@SlimeBoy1231]

yeah, i agree, it makes me sick that people are counterfeiting something that is meant to save lives, this is not something to be taken lightly.

[@1617raerae]

I have some from the army as well and they look like they might be fakes. They say CAT on the back but on the plastic arm, they dont have CAT written on them.

[@celpa3151]

Yeah, yeah, more laws, MOAAR! Just let's stop using capitalism, no "more laws" needed.

[@loonytik25]

The problem here is two-fold. One - it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify a "fake" on Amazon. The seller states they are real, legitimate CAT tourniquets. The seller also changes on the same posting depending on stock. You could buy a real CAT today from Amazon and tomorrow the seller would be different and it would be a fake. Two - North American Rescue charges $8.00 ground and $12.00(2 day shipping) to ship that tiny tourniquet to my address. That alone will drive people to Amazon with free Prime Shipping. I realize price should not be a factor with your life but, in the real world people consider shipping cost. It should cost about $2.00-$4.00 max to ship that tourniquet.

[@SkinnyMedic]

I charge $29.99 with free shipping for a Gen 7 :-)

[@mangudai1987]

That's why you only buy from reputable dealers.... like skinny medic.

[@loonytik25]

Reputable dealers? You mean like North American Rescue, the ones who make the tourniquet? They sell on Amazon too: www.amazon.com/North-American-Rescue/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_3036997011?ie=UTF8&node=3036997011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=North+American+Rescue The problem here is stock. When a "reputable dealer" goes out of stock, Amazon automatically reverts to the next seller with stock. That seller may or may not be selling real CAT's.

[@mangudai1987]

Gotcha. So stop buying medical supplies on amazon.

[@jdmd4u]

It cost $2.68 to ship a 4 oz TQ. NAR is getting rich and has eliminated any competition, it doesn't cost $8 to ship a 4 oz product.

[@SkinnyMedic]

FYI I broke one of the fakes applying it to a manikin!

[@yadjekim]

Will you be able to make it to the gun show this weekend?

[@serenitysekhmet3155]

They actually have some good ones on Amazon. It's up to a person to do the research before buying. Everyone will have their own preference. We also have to look at a person's budget, do the research and get what you can afford, do not go broke people trying to keep up with the "rich and fancy" kits. Anything is better than nothing when your life is on the line. This coming from experience. I love your page keep it coming

[@gmaster45612374]

What experience do you have where buying an inferior product is justifiable when you or a loved ones life is at stake? The difference is literally life or death and we're talking about a $15 difference. It doesn't matter who you are anyone can scrape that together.

[@serenitysekhmet3155]

I am the daughter of two doctors, I myself am a Paramedic. We actually have a side project where we help feed, clean, and teach those who are less fortunate and some who are homeless, part of that teaching is medical, you will be very surprised at how many people can't get that up, so it does matter who they are and the budget. We teach how to get the job done with what they have and are able to purchase, like I said I like your channel but from experience I don't agree with if a person can't afford it they should go broker than they already are especially those who are homeless, we can just teach them different ways to get the same job done.

[@cockerrocker]

Serenity Sekhmet good on you for all you do. However, I think you may be overthinking the premise a little. I'm fairly sure that anyone watching this video on KZbin, or buying tourniquets in general, is not homeless. There have been many reports of people buying these "fake" tourniquets and them failing. I believe he is speaking to all the people who have the means to purchase kits and equipment, but choose to go cheap on these. Honestly, if you were in a pinch, you'd use whatever you had right? I mean, I have a buddy with a $2,000 Tavor, but complains about how much a $30 tourniquet is. 😂

[@brandonsmyth765]

I own multiple real CAT gen 7 Tourniquets and probably 20 SAM XT Tourniquets (Which I think are superior to CAT). I recently ordered 5 "counterfeit" CAT gen 7 TQs from alibaba just to check them out. Honestly, they not only seem very similar to the CAT original TQ, but somewhat superior, the plastics are thicker and more durable. The windlass seems just as strong and I cannot break with while applying the TQ (trust me, I tried). I can break the windlass by bending it when I'm not applying it, but I can do that with a genuine CAT as well. I was trying to find other reasons why people hate on them so much, then I saw your video and decided to give this a try. The Chinese version is tight after 2 spins of the windlass just the same as the CAT. I want to believe everyone when they say these Chinese counterfeits are garbage (and I am sure a lot of them are) but I honestly believe the ones I have are just as good, if not better than the original. Based on what I see and what I have tested, I would trust my life to them.... Unless there is something I am missing?? I have seen a lot of videos comparing why they're garbage, but I just don't see it when I hold them in my hand. I very much think some people do buy garbage TQs from china, but I also believe you can get very good ones (just like any product). Personally I think most of this is propagated by this push for North Americans to believe everything made in China is garbage, and I don't think that's the case. The ones I have seem extremely legitimate and were definitely much cheaper. I can't get these to fail and I bet you can't either.

[@wickwien1835]

You almost convinced me. So a nice TIME stamp and 3 turns less makes 25 bucks, right?

[@zachlemon6818]

The windlass snapping on you would be the bigger issue

[@zocmedia1869]

Video was pretty thin on HOW to tell fakes, and reasons why fakes are bad. Is it the Velcro? the windlass? The tightening band? Need more meat to the info.

[@JoeDurobot]

*The video was pretty clear.He said it's hard to tell if it's a fake or not so buy from a trusted dealer, possibly directly from AR.* *The fakes are bad because they won't work and you will die, simple enough.* *The fake don't get tighter as you turn the windlass, you can turn it 5, 6, 7 times then they will break.* *They are poorly made of cheaper material.Not to mention they are stealing from the original company who invented the product.*

[@poet99999]

...but it didnt break

[@JoeDurobot]

*It would have after he turned it a few more times because it wouldn't stop the bleeding.* *Those fake ones are not designed to work like the real thing, they will get you killed.Period.* *But feel free to use them to save a few bucks.*

[@poet99999]

maybe it might have broke... guess we wont know. course if you over tighten anything it will break. too bad im not willing to spend $40 on one to intentionally break it

[@JoeDurobot]

*Skinny Medic reported he broke a fake one, you can find videos on KZbin of people testing fake ones and proving they don't work.* *They either break or just don't tighten as you turn the windlass, both situations would kill you.* *You can buy a real one directly from NAR for $30, this one wont break.* www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t *If $30 is too expensive for a life saving device you can get a SWAT T for half that price.* *Even a $6 TK4 will work better than a fake Chinese CAT and it will save your life.*

[@Roux-AtlasCreation]

college student here, I can't chew the idea of paying 30 bucks for a cat. I haven't bought one nor any of the fakes because those are clearly not worth the investment. my solution was to buy a swat t I can get em for $10-12 and outfit several kits. perhaps I have the wrong attitude about this, but if these people really gave a crap about people having good quality life saving tqs, then they would make them more affordable. they would sell more, I can guarantee that. thank you skinny medic, I appreciate the effort and work you put into informing us.

[@BrazBlue]

$30 is not a lot of money, look at the cost of combat gauze, its literally just gauze with some chemical on it. super cheap to make, yet stupid expensive. yet i bought both because I want to have it when I need it.

[@aidenbatista5986]

Try befriending a corpsman/medic that how I got a lot of gear in High school they always have supplies to spare and if you show a genuine concern they will likely give you a couple. IDK its just a though

[@TheTroopersCorner]

No offense intended but yes, you have the wrong attitude about severe hemorrhage control. Thirty bucks is a small price to pay to save someone’s life. A SWAT T is not a tourniquet, not even close, it’s nothing more than a device to keep pressure on a dressing & wont do much of anything to stop severe hemorrhaging from a deep artery or vein that has been lacerated.

[@dgd947a15fl]

@faultroy Maybe I'm misinterpreting you, but I don't think it's a good idea to teach people that makeshift TQs are a valid substitute for real TQs. Obviously being able to make a makeshift TQ is a great skill to know for a disaster where you need more TQs than you have with you. But knowing how to make a TQ out of a shirt and a stick doesn't mean you don't need to carry a real TQ.

[@nickgomez6272]

30 dollars to save your life, swat t's are supposedly not used in combat, plus the rubber ccN break, you need 2 hands to put it on. By a soft t , or a cat

[@ddmaddma-ml4zh]

Could you review recon medical cat tourniquet

[@andrewwaddel6377]

He’s he?

[@Sarri71]

Good thing I watched this before buying a set of 3 for $15. Thank you!!

[@sydneyshaw6781]

These are the videos that I like on youtube. Very genuine, right to the point and none of the crazy clickbait graphics. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@marksoliman569]

Wow thank you so much, I bought a CAT Gen 7 off amazon for my personal jump bag (I’m an EMT) and after watching this video, I noticed that both the time stamp and back plate were off. I then applied it to my arm and got 4 good turns out of it. I now keep it to educate my squad on fake TQs and immediately bought a new one from NAR. Thank you so much for the info, you definitely just saved someone’s life!

[@AxiomsMedia]

have a look at the Recon medical one. please thanks

[@ChadHillPhoto]

Thats the one I just bought...hoping its not a fake.

[@mediumugly4322]

Chad Hill ... how do I put this, they are not CAT’s they aren’t advertised to be CAT’s they are a company of their own. Therefore it’s not a “Fake” CAT but a real Recon Medical Tourniquet. None the less to I think to answer your question no they are not CAT tourniquets

[@RubleInnawoods]

C BO recon Medical doesn’t make CATs they make CAT style TQs, but it’s a completely separate TQ. They’re very good. You made a good purchase

[@EBMisKing]

Ruble Medical not TCCC approved. Not worth buying

[@warriorgp4640]

May sound crazy, but you can enhance the quality of a cheap tourniquet by simply laminating the windlass with multiple layers of resin. I have done this and tested it for durability. It's almost as good as a steel windlass. Although I do have NAR, and Recon TQs, having some extras as backup is always ideal. I bought a pack of 10 cheap Chinese knockoffs for $40 and a can of resin for $10. Great vid btw

[@TheChaoschris]

You should advise that every time the cat tq is applied that the efficiency declines. Practicing over and over is going to wear out your ribbon inside.

[@jamesvatter5729]

I bought mine from Amazon, but it was supposedly from NAR.

[@COPPER314]

Until retiring last month I was a CLS/TCCC instructor for the CA guard. Most of our students were military and were issued their IFAKs. We had soldiers with fake CATs, fake combat gauze, fake needles, even fake shears. All issued to them. One class had 15 soldiers from the same unit that were issued fake CATs. Their supply sergeant was tasked with getting IFAKs for the unit and fell for the "30 CATs for $100" ruse on eBay.

[@crazyirishmedic9535]

sadly I have had issues with real CATs as well. The volunteer department I use to work for got a few dozen CATs from the local military base so we know they were real. Long story short we had 3 break on us in the next year (and we only used a few that year so it was like a 15-25% fail rate) so the medical director went so far as to prohibit the use of them by the department and we went back to the SOFT-T

[@RubleInnawoods]

CrazyIrishMedic i personally think SOFTs are superior. I’ve used them for so long and have never had an issue.

[@mamneo2]

Incroyable.

[@ThomasShue]

Why does the original need to cost $30 bucks? I get it, they want to get rich, but are you telling me its impossible for a company to source the same materials and build their own version that isn't from the original manufacturer but still works to stop the pulse/bleeding? I gave several from another company called RECON, they have an aluminum windlass and work fantastic. $15.00 each Just because they are not bade by the originator does not make them a FAKE tourniquet.

[@BunsAndGunsCalendars]

Pretty thin on why it's fake and how to tell a fake one. I like the posts but this was not really clear and precise. I'm a former SF Medic.

[@SkinnyMedic]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXuQdHyhYsqEj68

[@richarddisman8451]

I was trained with a piece of rope and a stick when I went though basic.

[@r1sabotage]

LoL dude who cares, moral is just buy from a reputable location, like straight from mfg...

[@ASPushkin51]

But still, what is the difference in reliability and functionality? A fake Gucci bag is just as functional as a real one. Could be even produced at the same Chinese sweatshop. Just during the night shift.

[@aegismediaservice5944]

So the issue is that you have to turn the windlass 2 more times?

[@joewalsh1054]

I work at a hospital and i had to do some continuing education stuff today and these tourniquets were one of the modules. I have never seen these before today and then this video shows up on my KZbin. They are reading my mind!

[@tacticaltrioadventure5224]

Sooooo they both works, just the real one works faster with a Chinese one works slower but it works right?

[@Prodigysportsman]

Ok...what about non-fakes that are similar to NAR CAT but aren't marketing themselves as CATs?

[@Joe.dirt7909]

Prodigysportsman Just buy the real deal and be done....

[@diabloclimber]

I would love to see a review of the Recon Medical GEN 4 Tourniquet, have not found a bad review and the price is insane.

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

He talks about fakes and clones in the video

[@trentonchambers7655]

What does number of turns have to do with being a fake, are the others more prone to break ?

[@frankbutta9344]

I just bought two Recon Medical CAT tourniquets from Amazon, and its aluminum windlass would not turn more than 2 1/2 turns on my arm (OUCH!), and two turns on my leg. I did cinch them pretty tight prior to using the windlass. They were $15 each. Love your channel! Thanks! P.S. I think I damaged the nerves in my arm...lol!

[@frankA0302]

Frank Butta: I also bought 2 Recon Medical CAT’s last week. $15, how do I know if they’re fake?

[@RubleInnawoods]

Sigfrank Recon Medical TQs arent fakeCATs, but they’re real RMTs. Don’t worry about Recon, their stuff is legit

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

@@RubleInnawoods Made in China and explicitly *not* approved by the CoTCCC. Those two things say quite a bit.

[@RubleInnawoods]

@@sharting.zogbot1229 you’re over one year late bud, your statement means nothing to me by now

[@doc6306]

I had TWO SoonHUA “Life Saving Tourniquets”, in a row, fail on the same patient. I finally used a CAT 5 from my IFAK. The first, the band between the windlass and plastic clip broke and the second, the solely plastic windlass snapped in half. I thought they were aluminum and some sort of steel core. Unbelievable! It took hours to identify the manufacturer. They came in kits purchased from an online store. They were all removed and replaced in less than 24hrs.

[@glacieractivity]

This is one of the scariest stories ever shared on the internet. When we think "TQ is needed" - to have it break is on top of any list of FUBAR. Pretty much all first responder life-saving can be improvised. TQ is not one of them (I have read 85% non-effectiveness for improvised TQ). We do improvise gauze stuffing. We do improvise chest-seals. We do improvise pressure bandages. We do not improvise TQ well. Things to not get from "third party brands" on Amazone: Climbing gear (harness, ropes etc). A 3-D printed gun (it will blow up in your face) and a tourniquet. For people on a budget - save on the cost of gauze with haemostatic agents in them. They are not really needed. And I doubt if they are actually worth the cost since it is the stuffing and the pressure who does the actual job. These powders/gels are not magical surgeons that close up bleedings. It is still stuffing and pressure that does the job (I sometimes fear action movies where someone "powders the wound" or push a compress the wound that miraculously returns the arteries and circulation into full operation within 15 seconds may make people with quickloth or whatever have a bit too high hopes of what their medipack can do).

[@MrJtlohse]

If you’re faced with an option where there is a fake tourniquet in front of you ready to go and a bandanna with a stick or pen which set up would you go for?

[@fsuboy75]

WOW! Never knew there were FAKE Tourniquets!! I saw them on Amazon for about 10 bucks and bought one not thinking the real ones were 30$$!! I had no idea.

[@sofloflow]

Damn it, looks like I gotta order some real ones!

[@percyjackson2800]

I still don’t know why the knock off is inferior or unsafe. Do they break, stretch, too short, too long, bad “Velcro”, flexible rod, weak windlass, weak buckle? What is it about it? You don’t really say that much about quality. Please no “my friend had a Chinese one and... do some testing, show results. I’m interested in knowing and I’m sure a lot more people are as well. Thank you skinny dude.

[@HelliDontKno]

Exactly.... I have a bunch of tourniquets that are not name brand and I bought a cat 5 to see the difference. Other than the markings, the strap that squeezes when you twist the wind. That part is a bit thicker. I put it on my leg and I don't feel a pulse at my foot.

[@TodaysAmericanCowboy]

scenario for fun just to see what people come up with: You are at a shooting range and have on your person an IFAK with trauma shears, 1 Israeli bandage, 1 pack of H&H compressed gauze, 1 CAT TQ, 1 NPA, a few pairs of rubber gloves, a roll of medical tape (or duck tape doesn't really matter for this), an emergency blanket, and some band aids. In you're truck (which is a 2 minute run away) you have a nice med kit with 3 of everything just mentioned plus 4 chest seals, and a few packs of burn ointment. A Man is double tapping at steel targets when 2 of his rounds ricochet and hit a man beside you, he falls on his back clutching his chest just to the left of the heart. You look him over quickly and find that he has no IFAK, has a blue tee-shirt, and jeans, he has been shot in the chest just left of the heart and is having irregular breathing, and in the right arm 3 inches below the elbow and it seems to have hit an artery, he also has a cut on the back of his head from a metal chair witch he fell on (not heavy bleeding but enough to mention) You call out cease fire to get the area safe. a crowd begins to form around you and one man says he knows first aid and CPR but doesn't have anything with him. Another man says he knows the victim and wants to help but doesn't know any first aid. (Have fun leave your course of action in the replys! If SkinnyMedic happens to see this i would love to hear his response!)

[@TodaysAmericanCowboy]

(My course of action in order) I would tell the victim's friend that my truck was unlocked as well as the location of the med kit and send him to get it, point at the first person i saw with a cell phone and get them to call 911 while i get out my IFAK, tell the man who knows first aid to hold pressure on the arm wound while i get out my H&H, and begin wound packing on the arm as soon as possible and hold pressure with my knee for 3-5 minutes while working on the chest seal with help for the man who knew first aid(which should be enough time for the victim's friend to return with the med kit) if wound packing didn't work i would use a TQ. if the victim's friend still wasn't back by then with the med kit i would attempt to make an improvised chest seal with tape and gloves and check his back for exit wounds, throw an emergency blanket over the victim if he was showing signs of shock and elevate his feet on something, use an Israeli bandage to tend to his head injury, and try to keep him calm and alert by talking to him and assuring him that paramedics were on the way.

[@patriotmaine1851]

Not to go against what your saying because I do see the difference, but they can both restrict blood flow though right? So wouldn’t you rather have someone who can’t afford a NAR CAT TQ, still buy the knockoff and have the capability to slow an arterial bleed?

[@Dero_milsurp]

fightFIRE withICE NAR CAT is $30. Save and get a real one.

[@MikeMikeActual]

I'm very glad I came across this video before I bought a tourniquet to wear while I conceal carry!! Very good to know the difference!! Thanks brother!!

[@joey_556]

What about the Recon tourniquet?

[@aleksfoxtrot8044]

The recon brand are pretty good. They have a metal windless. They dont try to pass off as NAR cats like the others.

[@haiwin224]

I know you are trying to help but really you need to brush up on your TC3. The windlass has to rotate 360 degrees to count as a single turn. On the fake CAT you only turned it 2.5 times which is less than the 4 complete turns required to merit reapplication of a tourniquet. Also while pain is a way to tell a tourniquet is working the only guaranteed way is to test a distal pulse on the affected limb. As long as a tourniquet (improvised or manufactured like a CAT or a SOF T) cuts off a distal pulse it means it works. While generally I agree to watch out for counterfeit products there is nothing magical about the CAT made by NAR. Any medic worth their salt knows that the plastic windlass of the CAT is prone to breaking. I've seen people bust the blue trianers at CLS classes I have seen EFMB candidates bust them at Camp Bullis. If you don't want the windlass to break buy a SOF T.

[@MrRjb954]

Bro a Tourniquet is a Tourniquet. Even though it's not the generic brand, it would stop the bleeding. The usage of a Tourniquet is a last resort tool. You should always check the Tourniquet to assure it is working properly, if it is a toy it will pop quickly. Only a fool would not inspect his or her purchases.

[@oomerimunni]

Buy your cats from a licensed breeder.

[@SuperUncleRyan]

There are actually ads for the cheap knockoffs under your video.

[@AWDfreak]

As far as I'm aware, two vendors that likely won't sell you a fake Combat Application Tourniquet would be North American Rescue (as mentioned in the video) and Chinook Medical Gear. I didn't realize that fakes were being sold. Thanks so much for uploading and spreading the word!

[@SkinnyMedic]

and Medical Gear Outfitters ... my company! ;-)

[@AWDfreak]

Oh, I'll add that to my list of medical supplies vendors.

[@traumamama2007]

I found fakes (made in China) on Amazon being marketed as NAR. Very nearly ordered some until I did a deep dive into the fine print info. Sure enough, “made in china”, and they weren’t cheap.

[@clyde44556]

I'm glad that I came across your channel. It's very educational and informative! I went through my two IFAKs and one of the two was a fake. I'm glad I came across it before I actually depended on it!

[@hugoarroyo4271]

What’s about a recon medical TANTQTourniquet?

[@traveller4790]

I was putting together my IFAK last month, and one of the things I bought was a CAT tourniquet. I had never seen one of these before since it came out LONG after I retired from the military in 1998, so I asked my son who is active duty Air Force Security Forces about it. He told me all about it and said I absolutely needed one in my combat IFAK that I was putting together. (I prefer to buy the contents separately rather than buy a pre-made kit.) So like the uneducated fool that I was, I went to Amazon and bought one for $14. Yeah, sure, the seller said it was a "real" and "genuine" CAT tourniquet, and I was thrilled when it arrived. Then, a few days later, I was cruising KZbin and saw a video about fake CAT tourniquets, and the poster demonstrated (as you did) the difference between the real ones and the fakes. He also showed close up views of the differences, and urged his viewers to check their CAT and see if it was real or fake. Well, I checked mine and you guessed it - I had bought a cheap Chinese fake. Needless to say, I was pissed! Since it would cost more than the CAT was worth to send it back and get a refund, I just threw the useless piece of Chinse crap in the trash, then went to North American Rescue and bought a real one. I examined it closely when it arrived, and the differences in construction were clearly apparent. Thanks for this video! Keep spreading the word, because those cheap Chinese pieces of shit are everywhere, and people need to know about it!

[@brandonm1881]

Interesting, I've bought these tournis from Amazon and tested them several times, and they work just fine, just in case I'm going to test it again right now Result on arm: arms are 15' in circumference, and it took about 2 twists from a $12 tourni on Amazon so I'd trust it

[@tranpak9504]

How do you feel about those recon medical TQ's?

[@aj00311]

What do you think about the recon medical tourniquets ?

[@SlimeBoy1231]

isnt it dangerous to put a tourniquet on if you dont need it?

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

Would you recommend a tornequit by Recon Medical?

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

I just picked two of these up as well and had the same question

[@troubleinbound]

@@AlphaRomeoOneFive supposedly they're gtg. They're not CAT TQs, they're styled like them but they're not them if that makes sense. The aluminum windlass isn't going to snap and the buckles are allegedly really strong. There's a good video about them on KZbin somewhere, I can't remember the name off hand though. You made a good purchase, I reckon. You didn't buy a RATS.

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

@@troubleinbound Yeah I've seen a couple good videos on these as well. I'm not a medical expert by any means but I just did a video on them as well and they seem solid to me. All the reviews I've seen have been positive on them

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

Chinese-made clone and explicitly avoided by CoTCCC, which is why it isn't approved. $30 isn't a lot to save someone's life or your own. If you want an aluminum windlass, you can buy an SOFT-TW tourniquet instead.

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

@@sharting.zogbot1229 Cool thanx I really appreciate it.

[@kdingo6596]

Okay, I totally get quality. I need help understanding why two additional turns on a TQ is a big deal for a savings of 50%. I'm not trying to be confrontational. I'd like to know please.

[@SkinnyMedic]

It is not really about the two more turns ... the knock offs break ... the windlass or the buckle break under pressure

[@kdingo6596]

Thank you.

[@peteraugust5295]

Why not do a test series on those? As long as I dont see hard evidence, with a pressure gauge, I do not believe that the chinese ones are less sturdy.

[@Dero_milsurp]

Peter August there have been plenty of studies and videos on the fakes. I’ve seen them fail in person. There is no quality control. Some may work, some may not. That’s not something worth betting on when trying to save a life. Science doesn’t care about what you don’t believe. Neither does a dead patient.

[@peteraugust5295]

@@Dero_milsurp Right. Sciences believes in facts, which you did not bring up any :)

[@Dero_milsurp]

Peter August here is a perfect example. soldiersystems.net/2015/09/08/more-on-counterfeit-tourniquets-from-ctoms/

[@Dero_milsurp]

Peter August soldiersystems.net/2015/09/08/more-on-counterfeit-tourniquets-from-ctoms/

[@joerebekkahudson4120]

got mine from you so I'm not worried

[@paulcrane8524]

I know I've got two knockoffs but they also didn't claim to be a CAT TQ, I got mine of Amazon but they were call recon something or other. I agree with you a hundred percent, but if thats all you have can you make use of what you have?

[@jerrycanne6981]

You can try, better than nothing maybe. Use the fake to practice with and use a paint marker to mark it as practice only. Amazon will give full refunds for stuff like that.

[@crazyirishmedic9535]

Recon medical tourniquets are a brand of there own, they make great budget tourniquets with improved features over the CAT

[@Thunderbolt22A10]

Yeah the recon medic tourniquets. They're a brand of their own and are honestly an improvement over the NAR ones. It'd be good if the Skinny Medic would review them side by side.

[@crazyirishmedic9535]

I will be coming out with a line of videos on almost a dozen different types of tourniquets including the Recon Med ones in the coming month as part of my youtube debut lol

[@ReconMedical]

We have recently pull tested our tourniquets against the major name brands. Most broke at 650 pounds. The Recon Medical tourniquet with the added Kevlar broke at 740 pounds average. Just an FYI. We strive to create best durable lightweight and affordable tourniquet on the market.

[@DV11b]

Looking to replace one of mine, stopped an accident two days ago and ask if they where good on first aide the first thing out of their mouth was “do you have a tourniquet?” As a matter of fact I do. Thanks for the videos. I will check out your store.

[@idahomountainelk]

I just ordered my 2nd kit from you because I trust you to sell me a real one. Saw fake ones with a holster for like $12 or so. Too good to be true....

[@youmustvotenato]

I have several Amazon tourniquets. I'm the process of replacing all of them and converting these old fake ones to training only

[@mannycali334]

What's your take on recon medical

[@VPPAF]

perhaps you should disable ads on this video as youtube are showing eBay ads for cheap ones

[@johnnyvolvox2932]

I bought mine on amazon but its 100% real. Good thing it is because before purchasing it I had no idea there was so many counterfeits and that they were so difficult to spot. Great video.

[@haimchapaev]

Dude, i already ordered on Amazon when I stumbled on this video. Sure enough got 2 fantastic tourniquets from Recon Medical. Great reviews and all. They just arrived and I gave one a try. Well, long story short I am glad I decided to try. It's a piece of garbage. I did 6 turns and almost destroyed the damn thing. So glad I found out now and not in the field. Returning this crap in a hurry!! Buying yours now.

[@danialmeeker7456]

Is recon medical a good brand? I bought a two pack of gen 3 for about 25-30. I didnt realize there were fakes until after I bought them.

[@rios199476]

Danial Meeker their good

[@RubleInnawoods]

Recon Medical is great. They aren’t fake CATs, they don’t pretend to be CATs

[@jimmykellemsRVTranport]

If it stops bleeding who cares whether it's a 30 dollar CAT or a 7 dollar CAT?

[@gregchamberlain7554]

I was concerned about chinese copycats recently when I purchased RATS TQs. I had no idea they were being copied with a version that was way inferior to the originals. But in the process of searching for more info I ran across someone that explained what the watch out for from the packaging down to the TQ itself. So I ordered 3 from a company and waited until they arrived.I still had a bit of concern however, since I have found that some chinese companies are using US locations to ship from so they look like a US based business. They arrived and were in fact original manufacturer items from a reseller in Florida. But if I didn't have the knowledge I might of never know what to look for, or even worse wound up using a fake that might fail.

[@piotrkluska8836]

Genuine CAT cost 30$, the same chineese tourniquet cost 4$. I have both, and I see no differences beetween them. This is only tourniquet if it is more expensive you buy less items, then you secure less wounds. Chineese produce good CAT "fakes", good quality and cheap.

[@jeffreythompson2287]

After watching your video I discovered that one of my CAT tourniquets is fake and one is genuine. Have one more in the vehicle kit to check. Bought them all on Amazon at different times. Thank you. I will be buying some gear from you for this.

[@Joe-bm4wx]

Please do a review on Recon TQs. They're half the price, and just as good of quality, if not better.

[@rios199476]

Joey Kendrick their better in my opinion

[@RubleInnawoods]

Edgar Rios agreed

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

It's a Chinese clone. Come on.

[@loveforever5687]

but the point is that it still works.

[@SkinnyMedic]

no they break under stress

[@geo0711]

What are your thoughts on the Recon Medical brand tourniquets with the metal winless?

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

Garbage chinese-made clone of an American design that's not even approved by the CoTCCC. If you want an aluminum windlass get a SOFT-TW.

[@PracticallySquared1]

I was going to buy one from eBay but after watching your video I ordered one from your store. As your shipping is included! Thanks!!

[@SkinnyMedic]

Thank you!

[@forrestsecord7743]

On the video with the sucking chest wound, you ended the video with turning the victim on the side that wasn't wounded, my training was to turn victim on injured on side so as not to collapse good lung which is right

[@donaldcooper4330]

Dude you can use either one of those, I have used them several times, the ones that came off Ebay works fine, it don't matter if you have to turn it twice or 5 time's as long as they get tight and hold

[@ripinpepperoni6782]

If you have more rotations its better because you get more fine adjustment to not harm yourself

[@skipskipper99]

Looks like the fake ones will work just fine. I have a few real and fake and both seem to work great in practice first aid.

[@andreashauschild5101]

Actually, for people that are not that strong, a longer windup is easier to use. So in some cases the 4 to 5 rotations versus the 1.5 to 2 rotations is a better choice. We could see that you, a relative average strength male had trouble with completing the 2nd rotation on the real one. A person with less strength, or even their own injuries may not be able to do this, where with the longer windup they would.

[@imurhucklberry3496]

Andreas Hauschild very good observation, this guy is a bait and switch salesman . Fake news

[@TheShoelaceBandit]

I get where you are coming from on making sure you buy a quality product. That being said I have several real CAT tourniquets and also some "fakes". Both by the way are made in China. The fakes are functionality identical to the the CAT tourniquet. CAT certainly could bring cost down to make the decision easier.

[@ravenstarver1360]

Actually NAR CAT tourniquets are made in America. You can check their website.

[@jirinafrankova166]

I got a friend and you cant explain it to him, no matter how hard you try, that he should not buy the Chinese just to save some money. He does not care... he says, there is no difference, only the price. :-( And I have showed him your videos.... A real case reported in the news that someone used a fake tourniquet and some guy bleed out because of it, could help better for some people.

[@iancornell141]

Rider you can't fix stupid

[@jerrycanne6981]

When they win that Darwin Award it's fixed.

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

Honestly a tourniquet is not rocket science. Make a few yourself from stuff in a craft store and hardware store.

[@iancornell141]

Dave Smith or spend $30 for a combat proven Tourniquets that will not fail. how much is your life worth?

[@wkat950]

One big EMS system bought some tourniquets that turned out to be fake. I'm with the old-traditional outfits and government surplus resellers (who actually buy from DRMS versus being a "hunter" store with Chinese junk). Or... ask a larger, reputable EMS provider.

[@SkinnyMedic]

Happened to my department too

[@wkat950]

I lucked up on some at a DRMO reseller in a warehouse. He apparently got them when some IFAKs were deemed by the military to be "end of life". He had been to some auctions at nearby bases so I figured they were the real McCoy. Find a guy like this if you can.

[@ben9183]

Thank you for making this video. I almost ordered a fake 5 pack of tourniquets off of Amazon for $26.00. I'm sticking with the $53 NAR gen 7 CATs.

[@Tqtrpiypuu]

There should be a special place in hell for the kind of person that makes fake tourniquets.

[@SkinnyMedic]

Right!

[@KosukiFire]

Besides CAT by NAR. THE ONLY other one id ever trust is Recon Medical, I have personally used them. They are half the cost of NAR and same quality. Ive had LEO and Medic friends use them and they saved life's and not 1 failed.

[@kencreppin2146]

Your link doesn't ship outside the US. What is a Canadian option if you would know?

[@augreich]

I bought I Gen 3 from Recon Medical. It works just as well as the North American. I locked it down after 3 turns! But it you want to send me a Gen 7 id be happy cause I only have 1 right now. Thanks

[@scott.j1]

thanks for making this. this helped make me choose the 30 buck gen 7 one from amazon. but how do the cheaper 16 dollar Recon ones have such good reviews? 5 stars, nearly 3000 reviews

[@owenruth325]

Obviously the Gen 7 is a better tourniquet than a fake but say all someone has is a fake at the time of injury, would you still use it? Is a fake better than nothing?

[@hzjhk]

Explanation is so unclear. The number of turn of the rod doesnt mean anything. When we had our first aid and cpr-c class, the legit tourniquet kit we used has four turns, yet another one we bought from Amazon only has three turns. It was 20 bucks and I was extremely skeptical about it, until the times me and my friend tested it for fun expecting it to break, it didnt. If it is tight enough and super durable, it is good enough. Even without a legit tourniquet kit, using fabric and just a pen works the same.

[@Dero_milsurp]

Mark J first aid/ cpr student versus an experienced paramedic.....who’s more credible?

[@timschaefer3652]

Being a complete newbie, I was not sure I could see the differences you were pointing out?

[@schirard]

Just ordered 4 from you Thank You for the information....

[@SkinnyMedic]

Thank you!

[@OutdoorGearAddiction]

you vaguely pointed out the different in the "time" font as being fake but didnt actually show us the tag differences on the fakes vs the real McCoys.... I'm looking to purchase with an amazon gift card.

[@Artix902]

I buy a bicycle helmet that costs a bit more than the $20 ones because my head is worth more than $20. Same with these TQs.

[@denvervanhauwaert6995]

So you just have to twist it more.

[@TanoMac73]

I fail to get the point.... two turns versus five turns? The bottom line.... do all get the job done?

[@SkinnyMedic]

They also have a habit of breaking

[@thomasbroadbent619]

Is a fake one better then not having one at all

[@fook-joby-den6172]

@Skinnymedic-Just received my order from your website of a few of cat-7’s,5x8 van quest fat pack loaded kit, and assorted goodies to have extras of items included. Very pleased with brand names, fair prices& fast shipping. Just wanted to say, thank you & I’m a satisfied customer who when I need another kit, You’ll defiantly get my business again.

[@Nevernotalone]

Can you show more tips on spotting fakes

[@michaelalan6459]

My old lady yelled at me for buying "rubber tubes".

[@atrlsu1234]

This is the description to the product i bought off amazon.. is it legit? (Tourniquet - (Black) Recon Medical Gen 3 Mil-Spec Kevlar Metal Windlass Aluminum First Aid Tactical Swat Medic Pre-Hospital Life Saving Hemorrhage Control Registration Card 1 Pac)... sold by recon medical....

[@ChadHillPhoto]

I too am trying to find out...post if you find anything. I will too. Thank you

[@imurhucklberry3496]

A belt works, so stop panicking

[@RubleInnawoods]

ImUr HuCKLbErrY no it doesn’t.

[@RubleInnawoods]

Recon Medical makes great TQs! They aren’t CATs and don’t pretend to be CATs

[@RubleInnawoods]

C BO recon Medical is good

[@rmarques82]

Does a belt + square knots + lag bolt is better than a fake one?

[@trigrrug]

Fakes work just fine. The only problem is if you're paying $30 for a knock off.

[@patriotmaine1851]

Ray Mack I agree and even if the fake is all you can afford, you can still restrict blood flow with it. Better than not having anything. It’s much worse trying to improvise one in an emergency.