SWAT-T and CAT Tourniquets Compared

The SWAT-T and CAT are both effective, commercially available tourniquets. Each is designed with features that make it better suited for certain situations. Understanding these differences will help you select the right tourniquet for your kit.

Severe bleeding demands fast, decisive action. Using the right tourniquet correctly makes the difference for life and limb. Knowing how the SWAT-T and CAT perform ensures you are prepared and confident before an emergency arises.

What Is the SWAT-T Tourniquet?

The SWAT-T tourniquet is a flexible, wide rubber tourniquet designed for extremity hemorrhage control. The name stands for Stretch, Wrap, and Tuck, which describes how it's applied. Its elasticity allows it to compress tissue and restrict blood flow when wrapped tightly.

The SWAT-T serves multiple purposes in emergencies. It acts as a pressure dressing over a wound to control bleeding. It stabilizes and supports an injury when used to secure a splint.

Pros

These points show why a SWAT-T is useful for a range of emergency situations:

• Intuitive stretch-and-wrap method suits untrained users
• Works as a tourniquet, pressure dressing, or splint strap
• Fits a wide range of limb sizes, including children and pets
• Comfortable for extended wear when applied correctly
• Compact, flat, and lightweight, making it easy to carry in a pocket or small kit
• Lower cost compared to other commercial tourniquets

Cons

Some considerations to keep in mind include:

• Slower application, averaging about 40 seconds for both arm and leg applications
• Requires two hands, limiting self-application of the tourniquet
• Elastic design makes it harder to judge the correct pressure without training
• Performance typically decreases in cold or wet environments, including when it's covered in blood
• Not formally recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC), though it is still used by many EMS providers

What Is the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT)?

The Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T®) is one of the most widely used tourniquets in military, law enforcement, and emergency medicine. It's designed with a strap and windlass system that quickly tightens to stop blood flow. The design makes it effective for severe extremity hemorrhage, where rapid control is critical.

Pros

These points highlight why first responders and military personnel rely on a CAT:

• Fast and intuitive application for trained users
• Windlass design allows secure one-handed tourniquet application, averaging 12 seconds in self-aid
• Proven 100% effective at stopping arterial blood flow in self-application trials (p. 3)
• Easy to visually confirm proper tightness
• Durable materials ensure the tourniquet holds up during application
• Recommended in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines
• Widely used in military and emergency medicine
• Trusted standard for police departments and first responders

Cons

There are a few drawbacks to the CAT, including:

• Requires prior training to use correctly under stress
• Bulkier than a SWAT-T
• Limited to hemorrhage control, with no multi-purpose functions
• Higher cost than other commercial tourniquets
• Counterfeit versions exist, so sourcing from trusted suppliers is essential, along with knowing how to check for a fake CAT

SWAT-T Tourniquet vs CAT: Key Differences

Both the CAT and SWAT-T commercial tourniquets stop bleeding, but they work differently in real-world situations. Seeing them side by side helps to clarify when each is the stronger choice in a given situation:

• Application Method: The CAT uses a windlass system that locks in place for consistent pressure. The SWAT-T relies on stretch and friction, which gives it versatility but requires more time to secure.
• Self-Aid vs Assisted Use: The CAT allows true one-handed application, making it suitable when the injured person must treat themselves. The SWAT-T works better with two hands and is often applied by another person.
• Professional vs Civilian Settings: The CAT is built for combat casualty care and rapid response. The SWAT-T fits civilian emergencies where versatility and portability are more important than speed.
• Arterial vs Venous Bleeding: The CAT is proven to stop arterial bleeding by delivering higher occlusion pressure. While the SWAT-T is effective for arterial bleeding as well, it can also be used for less severe venous bleeding when applied in such a way as to not cut off circulation, serving well when bleeding is less severe or when a pressure dressing is needed.
• Kit Role: The CAT serves as the primary hemorrhage-control tool in most bleeding control kits. The SWAT-T often rides as a secondary option because it doubles as a pressure dressing and splint strap.
• User Training: It requires training to learn how to apply a CAT tourniquet correctly under stress. The SWAT-T’s stretch-and-wrap method is more intuitive, but users still benefit from hands-on practice to ensure proper tightness. With both tourniquets, practicing before an emergency leads to faster, more effective application.

Which Tourniquet Should You Choose?

The best tourniquet depends on your role, environment, skill level, and the type of bleeding you encounter. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found thatcivilian prehospital tourniquet use was linked to a six-fold reduction in mortality for patients with peripheral vascular injuries. This underscores the importance of having the right tourniquet readily available.

CAT vs SWAT-T

The CAT is ideal for users in situations with a high risk of injuries resulting in arterial bleeding. This includes military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and others operating in high-stress or tactical environments.

The SWAT-T is better suited for situations where portability and versatility matter more than speed. This includes civilian settings such as homes, schools, everyday carry kits, and outdoors or wilderness activities.

Training and Practice

Practice is essential for either tourniquet. Repetition builds muscle memory, enabling you to apply one quickly and correctly under stress. As Dr. Pedro Teixeira notes, “The ideal person to apply that tourniquet is the person who can do it the quickest immediately after the wound is identified. That scenario is the highest chance for the patient to survive.”

Equipping your trauma kit with both tourniquets gives you flexibility and coverage for a wider range of situations and users. To dive deeper into how many to keep in your kit, check out our guide How Many Tourniquets Should You Carry?

Emergencies Don’t Wait—Neither Should You

Tourniquets save lives! Having one ready when bleeding starts is critical, but it must be applied quickly and correctly. The right tool in the right hands makes the difference between survival and tragedy.

Owning one is not enough. Whichever tourniquet you choose, practice until the application becomes second nature, so you give aid without hesitation under pressure. Stocking your kit with a dependable SWAT-T or CAT tourniquet (or preferably both) ensures you’re ready to act when it matters most.