The Tourni-Kwik 4 (TK4) Tourniquet is designed to stop severe hemorrhage due to traumatic injuries from gunshot wounds, improvised explosive devices, edged weapons and other forms of trauma. In April 2007, the Navy Experimental Diving Unit conducted research titled, "Evaluations of Self-Applied Tourniquets for Combat Applications, Second Phase" in which they evaluated the efficacy of 13 tourniquets. This report is available for free online. Read it and come to your own conclusion regarding which tourniquet is best. The tourniquets were evaluated according to eight parameters which are detailed in the report. According to the report, "The tourniquets were divided into three categories according to their mechanisms of actions: windlass, ratchet, and stretch retention. Windlass types operate via a twisting action in which a bar is looped through the tourniquet material and twisted. Ratchet types function by a one-way locking device that pulls itself farther along a toothed track as the mechanism is actuated. Stretch-retention devices operate on the elastic properties of the device and are typically wrapped several times around the extremity." The TK-4 is a stretch-retention tourniquet.
According to Doppler Flow Measurements the TK-4 showed 80% no flow in the upper extremity and came in 7th out of the 13 tourniquets tested. For the lower extremity the TK-4 rated a 54.17% no-flow on the lower extremity and came in 6th out of the 13 tourniquets tested. The goal is to get as close to 100% occlusion of arterial blood flow so that the patient does not hemorrhage to death. For me, the TK-4 does not perform at a level that is satisfactory. The study uses other tests to measure efficacy but when you look at overall performance the TK-4 fails to perform at a level that I would depend on it if my life was in jeopardy. Based on my analysis and data from this study as well as others I would instead choose a Combat Application Tourniquet, C-A-T, which is the tourniquet that I use in my first aid/trauma kit.
The C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet, C-A-T, is an excellent, must have, and highly recommended addition to your first aid kit. The C-A-T Tourniquet has been researched and proven to be effective. When faced with a catastrophic injury to an arm or leg from a traumatic event with significant arterial bleeding then this tourniquet is a reliable and necessary piece of gear that has saved many lives. This tourniquet is fast and easy to apply one handed, under stressful conditions, and is combat proven on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Time is of the essence when faced with a serious injury with significant bleeding requiring immediate and effective control of bleeding. This tourniquet can literally be the difference between life and death.
Based upon research from the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) Battlefield Tourniquet Recommendations Issued July 28, 2004:
"The Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) was effective 100% of the time in quickly and effectively occluding arterial blood flow in both the upper and lower extremities in all trials...Pain scores (pinching and circumferential) were dramatically lower with the C-A-T than any other strap-style device evaluated."
Research after this 2004 study has come to the same conclusion. Hence, the Combat Application Tourniquet should be a part of any serious first aid kit or medic gear. Get this tourniquet and be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Overall, I do NOT recommend the TK-4 tourniquet and instead recommend the Combat Application Tourniquet, C-A-T. The CAT is definitely a bigger tourniquet but performs better than the TK-4 which is smaller, more compact, and convenient to carry. But, in a worst case scenario such as a major life-threatening hemorrhage I want a tourniquet that will work. I recommend the CAT.
This is an excellent item to have in any first aid kit. It's like super glue for the skin. It's a marvelous adhesive doctors use which allows the skin to bond to itself, eliminating the need for stitches. This will be great in an emergency situation.
