ASA TECHMED One Hand Tourniquet Combat Application for First Aid + Trauma Shears (Orange)

These should be absolutely necessary in first aid kits in the home and especially in vehicles.

I ordered this ASA Techmed tourniquet to serve as a trainer, specifically as an inexpensive stand-in for the original CAT tourniquet on which this is clearly based. As of the date of this review, the actual CAT in currently the "Gen 7" design, which uses a single pass-thru buckle design, and I've seen CAT copies/clones that appear (without stating in writing) to share this design. ASA Techmed doesn't state that their TQ is of a particular generation (some reviews and answered questions state "Gen 7") but this one seems to be the same or similar. The included shears are the same as found in numerous other kits.That being said, the instructions refer to a two-step process of routing the band first through an inner buckle slit and then an outer buckle slit, which seems nearly impossible under even practice conditions, as the sewn-on end of the band is already permanently affixed to the inner slit, leaving virtually no room to feed the other end through. On top of that, the velcro adds enough thickness and rigidity to the band that I certainly couldn't get it through. I don't have experience with earlier generations of the design - I'm basing my comparison on the Gen 7 CAT included in North American Rescue trauma kits and similar - but either the ASA Techmed instructions are for a different generation/design than what you actually receive, or the TQ design simply doesn't allow for application as described in the instructions. This isn't a problem if you already know how to route the band, but for a first-time user who is attempting to follow the provided instructions, struggling (and ultimately failing) to pass the band through two buckle slits when only one pass-thru is possible could cost them critical time in a lifesaving scenario.Aside from that, the actual quality is debatable. It didn't fail in an initial test right out of the box (not to intended tightness) so I can't criticize the durability of materials, and the CAT-derived design is a proven one in terms of function, but the windlass in particular is different; it is a different design than the CAT's windlass, and is plastic rather than the aluminum used by some competitors.Overall, I would still use this for training purposes, disregarding the instructions for first-time users. In a real emergency, it wouldn't be my first choice, but neither can I rate what might happen under extreme circumstances. It's a highly derivative product selling for roughly one-third the price of the original CAT, so whether or not it fits your needs is a personal choice. In the future, I would be inclined to go with something at an in-between price point.

It's a good little kit would have liked to seen a little bit stiffer trauma shears but I do like how thin they are, and the tourniquet does work

Both feel sturdy. The scissors can cut a seat belt, which I had to do. The tourniquet feels good quality.

I was skeptical when I purchased these but I was very impressed when I received it. They are a high quality and the price point is amazing. I spent 10 years as a Police Officer and 4 years in the Army. I’ve been deployed to Iraq, went to several Combat Live Saver courses I’m the Army, and my Police Deparmtent spent a lot of money sending me to several specialty tactical trauma courses. I’ve used tourniquets a lot. I have bought multiple of these sets. Tourniquets save lives and scissors are needed to get to bare flesh to apply them. Buy this.

Not the most top notch product in quality but for 8 dollars it is well above it’s quality in comparison to price. This product will work. Considering I have extensive training with tourniquets and I will tell you for 8 dollars, buy it! actually buy 2 or 3!!! Plus scissors also, come on what are you waiting for.

Great combination. I keep it in the car with my pocket mask. Yes, I have used all of it at least once. Must live in a bad neighborhood. I am a former Paramedic and Emergency Nurse. Visibility is superb!

An essential for first responders