Direct pressure will probably work for the majority of serious bleeding wounds and for those I like the SWAT-T’s 4” width which happens to be the width of a 4x4 gauze pad or a 4x3 non-stick pad. Apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding and then you get your hands back.
Self-adherent wraps apply some pressure, but with the SWAT-T you can dial it up to the point of constriction if necessary. Not sure a self-adherent wrap will get that tight without failing.
The CAT otoh is a dedicated tourniquet, if I decide to go with that option, my intent is no pulse below the TQ.
There are places on the body where no pulse past a certain point means you kill the patient; it’s really really bad form to kill the patient. For those situations, DP is the only way to go — think neck wounds.
WARNING & DISCLAIMER:
SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted
on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please
review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this
site.