What are you guys using to hold/attach tourniquets?
I started using thick rubber bands which would eventually dry-rot. The obvious benefit of using rubber bands is the free-99 price tag. I own a few the BFG Tourniquet NOW attachments, but didn’t take any with me this trip.
This pic is a couple years old; rubber bands only lasted about two months before they started to dry-rot.
Currently, on my PC, I’m using the simple hook & loop pistol/mag plate that came out of a Diamondback Tactical E&E Bag. I tightened the cummerbund a little and attached the Velcro plate to the Velcro on the cummerbund. I actually prefer this to the Tourniquet Now because the tourniquet can be either completely torn off the vest on the holder but also more easily slips out of the larger band.
Reaching it with both hands are easily done.
This is my current configuration I have been using fort the past six months:
I’m also using an RE Factor Tactical Tourniquet Holder, which is essentially a plate that mounts to a belt and has elastic straps. One thing I like about this is how easily I can grab the flap, tear up, and the tourniquet pops out.
Their site shows it mounted to loop Velcro on a vest, but I prefer it on my belt since I have the vest part taken care of. Eventually I may try one on my vest.
I have been trying to stay away from stuff like the MARZ Tourniquet Pouch because it’s “another pouch” and it’s bulky.
What are you guys using, what do you do(Mil/Civ/LE/PMC), and why do you like it?
I’m curious, what do you do?
You have what looks like marpat and multicam, and I’ve never seen marines rock multicam.
I’m not a high speed operator, but I had one tourniquet on my right shoulder pocket and one on my left calf pocket. I figured that way they’re relatively close to where I’d need them. Mil, mostly did convoys and force protection.
I use a BFG TQ now or rubber bands. I like rubber bands because there isn’t too much holding onto the TQ while at the same time the retention is pretty good. I’ve been looking to get the Mayflower TQ holder, more durable than rubber bands yet just as low profile.
I use 2 of the BFG TQNow holders. Mainly because I got sick of replacing rubber bands. The RE holder seems nice, how has the velcro held up of usage in shitholeastan?
Very well actually. I have only had mine for a month, but some guys I work with have had them for a few months at least.
I would have thought vehicle seats would have undone it at least once by now but it’s stayed in place and kept the TQ secure.
One in my med kit on my belt and one in the kangaroo pouch of my APC (behind my mags, I’ve got my mags in pouches on the flap, leaving the roo pouch open). I can probably fit another one somewhere on the cumberbund with a BFG TQ holder without interfering with my other gear, but I feel pretty covered as it is.
I keep some in the cargo pocket of my pants for work, one on the outside of my DARK Angel medical kit on my APC, one attached to the front of my mags on my APC via a Blue Force Gear holder, one horizontal at the top of the APC via a 4:1 Consulting holder, one attached to the top of my 4:1 Consulting/EGL war bag via a 215 Gear holder, and 2 more in the bag.
I just kept one in each BOK/IFAK (belt and chest rig). You might consider one of those velcro strips sold in packs everywhere that are meant for bundling the wires of your entertainment center or stereo together.
I was using the tourniquet holders from Mayflower but they flopped around a bit much for my liking so I rigged one out of shock cord and a grenade cord lock that’s wound through the molle on my vest. Easy and cheap solution that so far has worked well.
I have found with the strap-style (bungee cord, elastic strap, etc) that to work reliably, it is too loose that the tourniquet begins to work its way free during regular movement. Any tighter and the cords, straps, whatever have a snaring effect on the tourniquet, which is not reliable. In addition, I prefer a little protection from the elements to ensure reliable application when the time comes - and who knows when that will be. Therefore, an enclosed pouch of some sort that is easy to access and deploy the tourniquet each and every time is my preference. The LBT-9022 is a good piece and has grown popular. I myself use a hip bag, fanny pack, whatever you call it for my entire first aid kit. One zip from either hand and two tourniquets are stacked vertically right there for easy plucking. I also carry one in a cargo pocket if my pants worn at the time have them.
The windlass-holder goes in first. Pouch covers almost all the Tk, which keeps any velcro from getting fouled by any flotsam/jetsam, but still has enough exposed to grab and pull out easily. No zippers, snaps, or Rubicks cubes to defeat to get to it. Never fallen out, in 3 years of various activity.
A single-cell 10-Speed takes up two columns of PALS, though. Undesirable for some folks. Understand the “another pouch = ick” aspect, too.
The 'roo pouch on my PC holds 3 mags, and I have a 3-cell 10-Speed atop that. Tk goes in the middle cell, so I have one on my centerline and accessible with either hand, and is readily visible for others to see…plus I can add two mags to the outer cells if I need to, or a laundry-list of oddball items. If they’re empty,they flatten completely out of the way. I stole that from another cat with a JPC like yours, set up the way I described; mine’s a Mayflower APC, works just as well. Understand that such a setup may not be your cup of tea, just wanted to describe what I finally settled into, and why…
My 2nd Tk goes in the nutsac/fag-bag I use for med stuff, these days, but I’ve also used 10-Speeds to store odd items on either a pants- or war-belt. Some folks worry about the durability of the elastic, but that’s not been my experience, and the ONE time I had stitching come undone, they practically tripped over themselves replacing the thing.
Never thought about that. I left all my 10-speeds home this trip.
I’ve got an Ares Armor “Tactical Hip Bag” on order for the same purpose. Currently I wear aSO Tech Go Bag Mini around my abdomen between my pistol belt and PC. It’s huge though, but packed full of essentials.
