There are several counterfeit medical devices on the market which resemble the C-A-T® Resources Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T). This includes those sold by online vendors on eBay and Amazon. Some of those counterfeits have catastrophically failed during actual life-saving applications.
The patented C-A-T® is a true one-handed tourniquet proven to be 100% effective by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research. Tests proved that the C-A-T completely occluded blood flow of an extremity in the event of a traumatic wound with significant hemorrhage.
The C-A-T utilizes a durable windlass system with a patented free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. A hook and loop windlass retention strap is then applied, securing the windlass to maintain pressure during casualty evacuation. The C-A-T's unique dual securing system avoids the use of screws and clips which can become difficult to operate under survival stress or where fine motor skills are compromised.
One side of the tourniquet has, among other symbols, a C-A-T logo with the outline of a cat and the National Supply Number NSN6515-01-521-7976. It is manufactured by Composite Resources and distributed by Authorized Distributors including North American Rescue, LLC - Greer, SC
Recommendations/Actions:
Use only C-A-T® tourniquets manufactured by Composite Resources and purchased from authorized distributors. Others may be counterfeit and may fail in use.
If you have C-A-T tourniquets you suspect may be counterfeit, replace them as soon as possible with the genuine devices. If a counterfeit fails, it can endanger a patient's life.
To ensure the authenticity of your Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), contact C-A-T Resources, LLC.
The authentic current issue GEN 7 C-A-T® has a clearly marked single routing buckle system and windlass.
When you use a counterfeit, you are trusting a life to an untested product.
The C-A-T® is the Official Tourniquet of the US Army. Proven to be 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper & lower extremities by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research.
Don't risk a life to a fake. Buy authentic items.
Authentic Gen 7 products have the C-A-T® trademark molded into the stabilization buckle and windless.
Authentic items should be clearly identified as "Combat Application Tourniquet®" or C-A-T®.
If the tourniquet buckle is missing the C-A-T® logo and outline of a cat with NSN or National Supply Number NSN6515-01-521-7976 you have a fake.
Authentic items should be clearly identified as "Combat Application Tourniquet®" or C-A-T®.
If your C-A-T® tourniquet is missing the C-A-T logo and branding shown above, you do not have an authentic Combat Application Tourniquet®.
You are risking you life and the lives of others when you buy counterfeit, fake and replica products.
eBay and Amazon are flooded with counterfeit and replica Gen 6 version tourniquets as shown here. They are often identified as "Combat Tourniquet" or false FDA approval claims.
Counterfeit items have catastrophically failed in actual emergency
Dishonest sellers offer counterfeit and replica Combat Application Tourniquets on eBay and Amazon in colors not offered in the authentic C-A-T® product line.
None of the items shown are authentic.
If the listing does not clearly state the item is a "Combat Application Tourniquet®" you are likely purchasing a replica.
This item sold on eBay is not an authentic C-A-T product.
Be wary of online sellers offering counterfeit look-a-like products in listings using the "C-A-T" trademark.
"Veteran Owned Business" adds no credibility to this counterfeit product seller.
Can you determine if this is an authentic C-A-T tourniquet from website listing photo?
If you can't, you should be buying authentic products directly from the manufacturer or authorized retailers.
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