I’ve been reading that people prefer the CAT to the SOFTT. One of the reasons stated was that the CAT was easier to apply. After watching demonstration videos of each, I am leaning towards the SOFTTW, since it has a quick attach buckle rather than the double threading/velcro the CAT requires. It seems the SOFTT buckle would be faster under stress. Does anyone have any input? I searched on the topic, but most of the threads are over a year old, and I wanted impressions about the most current design of each TQ.
I’ve never handled either, though. I’m doing research for my first purchase.
I just had a class from Pelham Tactical located in Bloomington In.,for GSW treatment. We used both of the tourniquets. listed as well as the Swat T. I preferred the Swat T for it’s simplicity, and the CAT was second. On my gear, I carry both at this point. But for it’s cost and ease of use and carry, I think it is hard to beat the Swat T.
If I remember correctly, I had a hard time applying the SOFT-T to myself with one hand, so my preference is for the CAT.
However, the CAT has it’s own set of problems–first, the windlass is plastic, so I have heard reports of them breaking while trying to wrench down on a bleeding extremity. Second, the TQ is also velcro based, so again, reports of the velcro getting clogged up and failing to function absent use of the tri-glide. Finally, the velcro can get bumped loose, causing the TQ to stop functioning as it should.
On balance, in my humble opinion, the SOFT-T should be the superior TQ. The aluminum windlass, plus the method of securing the strap (a metal clamp with a screw on it, versus velcro) seems more secure than the velcro of the CAT. I have both on my kit.
I don’t think it really matters. I have both. In most all cases, either one will be completely sufficient.
It’s much more important that you have one available and know when/where/how to apply it correctly. Pick one (or buy one of each - they aren’t that expensive), get proper training on it’s use and then purchase an extra for training only. You’re likely to be just as proficient with one as the other, so long as you’ve trained with it.
I personally prefer the CAT since its faster to apply one handed. I prefer the SOF-T for putting on someone else’s thigh for something like a femoral bleed since they are a little more durable.
The downside of the CATs being plastic is somewhat misleading. The CAT (and all tourniquets to my knowledge) are designed to be one time use. People training with their carry tourniquets weakens the windlass. Buy a blue trainer to train with and keep the black ones for carry.
Also, tape the shit out of them after they are locked in the clip and they won’t come lose. That’s how we’re trained as 68Ws.
My old preference is the CAT for ease of use one handed primarily. I got to play with the new SOFTT-W a couple of months ago. When it comes time to get new TQ’s, we will be adding a bunch to the kit, to supplant the CAT’s. What I prefer on the SOFTT is being able to unhook the buckle to wrap it around a larger extremity, like a thigh. With the CAT you have to either slide it over or un run the nylon through the buckle, then rethread.
I outfitted my entire team with SOFT-T’s two years ago and they don’t have any issues with them. I will say this though, the 2nd generation SOFT-T’s that I saw, only had one single triangle to hook the windlass. Myself and a another Trooper friend of mine had some issues using it because the windlass never seemed to be close to the triangular “windlass catch”. We tried multiple times and both had the same issue.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t buy the 2nd gen SOFT-T’s if I had to do it again, but I would have to have some more hands on time with it. In that regard, at this time, my first choice would be the 1st gen SOFT-T, then the CAT, then the 2nd gen SOFT-T.(just my personal opinion)
The SWAT-T is nice, I was in on the initial evaluations on it. I do carry one because they are cheap and pretty easy to use but I do think the SOFT-T and CAT are a little better for the task. You can get the SWAT-T on one handed but it takes a little creativity. I am also not a big fan of the length. It’s just too much getting in the way in a stressful situation, IMO. Again, I carry one in my SWAT gear and my personal car kits, but I look at them as secondary or backup TQ’s as I’m also carrying multiple SOFT-T’s.
I carry a CAT simply because it is what I am familiar with. It goes on with one hand very well and serves the purpose it was built for in that it can get very tight, very quickly. Good enough for me.
Here’a link to a study done by the U.S. Navy on a variety of tourniquets tested by active duty personnel. It gets a bit more technical than I could comprehend but the tables listing the results in various categories, whether subjective or objective, were easy to understand for a common Joe like me. Just to point out the study was put out 5 years ago. I’m sure some of the tourniquets have been improved upon based on the results of this study. I see that there is now a 3rd Gen. of SOFT-T’s out that addresses some of the shortcomings that came out in this testing. The CAT did very well along with the surprise results of the tension type TK-3s and TK-4s. Hope this doesn’t put you to sleep! LOL http://www.gohandh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/TQKREPT2007.pdf
I prefer the CAT…pre load it through the buckles when you store it. I believe the current offerings no longer use a plastic windlass. I was issued a SWAT TQ and can not find any positive reviews of it. One MD writing an article stated something to the effect that it was junk and did not work reliably.
CAT is the way to go.
There is a reason its the only Tourniquet that SOF Personnel use.
You can easily use it on your self if you ever(god forbid) have to.
Some CAT’s have a place to write the time on it which is rather important to some people. I would guestimate the time its on.
In my experience with both, I personally must go with the SOF-T, and here is why:
My unit’s SOP is to carry a TQ attached to the left shoulder of your plate carrier. After extended periods of time in direct sunlight, the plastic windlass can obviously become brittle and snap easier when you apply a large amount of force to it (such as actually applying it on someone) I’ve seen 4 CAT TQ’s windlasses snap when being applied in the past 5 months. Granted, the breakage cannot be blamed on brittling in sunlight, they could have been mishandled, cracked from being beat up, chemicals spilled on them or a lot of other reasons why they failed.
The velcro loses it grip after repeated exposure to wetness obviously. A big reason why you should always go through both slits on the buckle when you are able to. You can mitigate this somewhat by keeping the velcro clean.
As for the SOF-T, I like the fact that it’s metal and webbing, that’s it. ( although I don’t recall if the retaining rings for the windlass are plastic or not…) In timed drills under perfect conditions there was little to no time difference between a CAT and a SOF-T, applying to yourself or someone else.
I have used the CAT and it works great, I never used the SOFTT-W, but after looking at the video I’d like to go and try one out. I like the fact that they can be connected for those big guys with heavy duty kit (like a MOPP suit).
I’m gonna walk over to my supply and see if they have some
I go back and forth between the SOF-T and the CAT, and have had good luck with each in CONUS pre-hospital EMS. Students in training seem to prefer the CAT however for its simplicity, and echo that after use as well.
Both work but the SOFF-T is a little better if you have to go apeshit on a thigh. They’re also a little heavier. For an IFAK that you’re going to be hiking around with or otherwise using on the move I’d take two CAT tourniquets for about the same weight as a single SOFF-T. Be sure to get the newer ones with red on the pull tab and a white securing band. For a car bag or range bag first aid kit I’d use two SOFF-T ideally, but there’s nothing wrong with CAT tourniquets for both.
This has been a great read, I have actually been debating the very same recently and ended up purchasing both TQs to help facilitate me forming my own opinion hands on. I am currently leaning towards the SOF-T for the fact that I like the method of retention with the rings better than I do the velcro of the CAT.
i was instructed that the soft-t-w is better for legs. this proved true when i tested it. the wider straps, beefy windlass, and more forgiving single d ring windlass lock in a better position allowed for easier application.
the cat was very good on arms, but the rat was better.
when using the cat on a larger limb, when winding down the windlass the strap would cinch into the area where the windlass resides and cause the windlass to angle on every turn, one turn away from the locking c ring, next turn toward the locking c ring. this could totally be a lack of experience issue, but i didn’t have the same problem with the soft-t-w.
