Tourniquets and bleeding-control kits: genuine, CoTCCC-listed, and how to avoid fakes (2026)

The American College of Surgeons' Stop the Bleed program says the number one cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding, and it teaches three actions anyone can learn: apply direct pressure, pack a wound, and apply a tourniquet. This page lists only tourniquets named on the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) recommended list, and bleeding-control kits built around them. Every spec is from the maker or the CoTCCC list, read on the date in each card's notes; we haven't used these ourselves.

By Tom Calder · Updated November 8, 2026 · 9 products, 8 of 9 price-tracked

Trauma kits and tourniquets compared for US households

Our picks

Best tourniquet 4.5

CoTCCC-listed tourniquets, plus a training tourniquet

C-A-T Gen 7

Tourniquet · C-A-T Gen 7 (on the CoTCCC list) · 1.5 in strap, windlass with clip and time strap, 2.7 oz

A genuine, CoTCCC-listed tourniquet for home or car

Researched

Check price →

Best bleeding control kit 4.5

Kits built around a genuine C-A-T tourniquet

NAR Public Access kit

Bleeding control kit · C-A-T · Tourniquet, 6 in trauma dressing, 2 wound packing gauze, gloves, shears, blanket

A home or car bleeding-control kit from the tourniquet's maker

Researched

Check price →

All 9 compared

Show

Item	Type	Tourniquet	Key contents (maker)	Price
1. North American Rescue C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet, Gen 7 Best tourniquet Tourniquet · C-A-T Gen 7 (on the CoTCCC list) · 1.5 in strap, windlass with clip and time strap, 2.7 oz A genuine, CoTCCC-listed tourniquet for home or car 4.5	Tourniquet	C-A-T Gen 7 (on the CoTCCC list)	1.5 in strap, windlass with clip and time strap, 2.7 oz	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The C-A-T Gen 7 is on the CoTCCC recommended list and North American Rescue calls it a true one-handed application tourniquet. It's light at 2.7 oz. The catch is fakes: North American Rescue says counterfeits have flooded the market and failed when needed, so buy from North American Rescue or a seller you can confirm is authorized, and compare it with a genuine one if in doubt. Best for A genuine, CoTCCC-listed tourniquet for home or car Good On the CoTCCC recommended list One-handed application (maker) Light: 2.7 oz Worth knowing Widely counterfeited: check the seller Useless without practice Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you haven't learned to use one yet: take a Stop the Bleed class, ideally before you buy.
2. SAM XT Extremity Tourniquet Tourniquet · SAM-XT (on the CoTCCC list) · 1.5 in strap, auto-locking buckle, 3.8 oz An easier first tighten 4.5	Tourniquet	SAM-XT (on the CoTCCC list)	1.5 in strap, auto-locking buckle, 3.8 oz	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The SAM XT is on the CoTCCC list and adds a buckle that locks itself once the strap is pulled tight enough, so you start winding the windlass from a snug fit. That can make it more forgiving for a nervous first-timer. SAM sells it directly, which is the simplest way to avoid fakes. Best for An easier first tighten Good On the CoTCCC recommended list Auto-locking buckle Fits limbs 5.5 to 35 in Worth knowing Heavier than the C-A-T (3.8 oz) Buckle works differently from the C-A-T: practice on it Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you've practiced on a C-A-T: stick with what you've trained on.
3. North American Rescue Public Access Individual Bleeding Control Kit (Basic) Best bleeding control kit Bleeding control kit · C-A-T · Tourniquet, 6 in trauma dressing, 2 wound packing gauze, gloves, shears, blanket A home or car bleeding-control kit from the tourniquet's maker 4.5	Bleeding control kit	C-A-T	Tourniquet, 6 in trauma dressing, 2 wound packing gauze, gloves, shears, blanket	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A compact kit built around a C-A-T tourniquet, with a pressure dressing, gauze for packing a wound, gloves, shears and an instruction card. Buying it from North American Rescue, the C-A-T's maker, takes the counterfeit worry out of the tourniquet. It's a bleeding kit, not a general first aid kit, so it sits alongside one. Best for A home or car bleeding-control kit from the tourniquet's maker Good Genuine C-A-T from its maker Pressure dressing and packing gauze Instruction card Worth knowing Not a general first aid kit Configuration varies by listing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if nobody in the home will take a class: a kit you can't use won't help.
4. STOP THE BLEED Enhanced Premium Personal Bleeding Control Kit (American College of Surgeons) Bleeding control kit · C-A-T (orange) · Store kit: tourniquet, QuikClot Z-fold, 4 in dressing, chest seals, gloves, shears, booklet (Amazon variants differ) The kit sold by the people who run Stop the Bleed 4.5	Bleeding control kit	C-A-T (orange)	Store kit: tourniquet, QuikClot Z-fold, 4 in dressing, chest seals, gloves, shears, booklet (Amazon variants differ)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The kit sold through the American College of Surgeons' own Stop the Bleed shop, which pairs naturally with the class. The store's Enhanced kit has an orange C-A-T, a QuikClot hemostatic dressing for packing a wound, a pressure dressing and chest seals, with the program's instruction booklet. Amazon sells it in variants, so check the contents on the listing. Best for The kit sold by the people who run Stop the Bleed Good From the Stop the Bleed program's shop Hemostatic dressing and chest seals (store kit) Genuine C-A-T Worth knowing Contents vary between variants Heavier than basic kits (2 lb) Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the cheapest genuine tourniquet setup: the Curaplex Basic or NAR Public Access kit covers the essentials.
5. North American Rescue C-A-T Gen 7 Training Tourniquet (blue) Training tourniquet · Blue C-A-T Gen 7 for practice only · Fully working Gen 7, colored blue Practicing at home without wearing out your real one 4.0	Training tourniquet	Blue C-A-T Gen 7 for practice only	Fully working Gen 7, colored blue	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A working C-A-T in blue, so you can practice on yourself and your family as often as you like and keep your real tourniquet sealed and ready. Practice is what makes a tourniquet useful. Keep the trainer out of your kit so nobody grabs it in an emergency. Best for Practicing at home without wearing out your real one Good Practice freely Same feel as the real C-A-T Blue: easy to tell apart Worth knowing Not for emergency use Doesn't replace a class Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'd only practice once: a Stop the Bleed class gives you hands-on time with trainers.
6. North American Rescue Door Panel Vehicle First Aid and Bleeding Control Kit Vehicle bleeding and first aid kit · C-A-T (black) · Tourniquet, 4 in trauma dressing, compressed gauze, chest seals, minor-care bandages, CPR mask The car: bleeding control plus everyday bandages 4.0	Vehicle bleeding and first aid kit	C-A-T (black)	Tourniquet, 4 in trauma dressing, compressed gauze, chest seals, minor-care bandages, CPR mask	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A slim kit made to fit a car door pocket, with a genuine C-A-T, a trauma dressing and gauze for serious bleeding, plus a pouch of everyday bandages, burn dressing and a CPR mask. It's a neat way to keep both kinds of care within reach in the car. Best for The car: bleeding control plus everyday bandages Good Fits a door pocket Bleeding control and minor care in one Genuine C-A-T Worth knowing Small amounts of everything Listing color or SKU may differ Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you already carry a car first aid kit and only need a tourniquet: buy the C-A-T alone.
7. North American Rescue Eagle IFAK Belt or bag trauma pouch (IFAK) · C-A-T (black) · Tourniquet, 4 in trauma dressing, packing gauze, chest seals, gloves A go-bag, hunting pack or range bag 4.0	Belt or bag trauma pouch (IFAK)	C-A-T (black)	Tourniquet, 4 in trauma dressing, packing gauze, chest seals, gloves	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A small pouch that clips to a pack or belt and pulls open one-handed, holding a genuine C-A-T, a trauma dressing, packing gauze and chest seals. It's built for carrying on you rather than living in a cupboard. There's no minor-care kit inside, so pair it with ordinary first aid supplies. Best for A go-bag, hunting pack or range bag Good Clips to a pack or belt One-handed opening Genuine C-A-T Worth knowing No minor-care items Configuration varies Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if it's for the house: the Public Access kit is a simpler shape for a shelf or drawer.
8. Curaplex Stop the Bleed Basic Kit with C-A-T Tourniquet Bleeding control kit, vacuum-packed · C-A-T · Tourniquet, emergency bandage, 2 gauze rolls, 2 pairs gloves, shears, marker A sealed kit for a school, office or home 4.0	Bleeding control kit, vacuum-packed	C-A-T	Tourniquet, emergency bandage, 2 gauze rolls, 2 pairs gloves, shears, marker	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A vacuum-packed, tamper-proof bleeding kit from Curaplex, a brand of the EMS supplier Bound Tree Medical, with a C-A-T tourniquet, an emergency bandage and gauze. The sealed pack keeps it compact and shows if it's been opened. The page doesn't say which C-A-T generation is inside. Best for A sealed kit for a school, office or home Good Vacuum-sealed and tamper-evident From an EMS supplier C-A-T tourniquet Worth knowing C-A-T generation not stated No chest seal (see Intermediate) Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want chest seals: the Intermediate kit adds them.
9. Curaplex Stop the Bleed Intermediate Kit with C-A-T Tourniquet Bleeding control kit, vacuum-packed · C-A-T · Basic kit plus a pack of 2 chest seals The Basic kit plus chest seals 4.0	Bleeding control kit, vacuum-packed	C-A-T	Basic kit plus a pack of 2 chest seals	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The same sealed Curaplex kit as the Basic, with a two-pack of chest seals added for wounds to the chest. If you're buying one sealed kit for a car or workplace, the small step up is reasonable; for most homes the Basic covers the essentials. Best for The Basic kit plus chest seals Good Adds chest seals Vacuum-sealed C-A-T tourniquet Worth knowing C-A-T generation not stated Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you've never been shown a chest seal: the Basic kit plus a class is the better start.

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Take the class first, and buy genuine

A tourniquet only helps if you know how to use it. ACS Stop the Bleed courses typically last no more than 90 minutes, are usually free (ACS says to check with local instructors in case there's a fee), and end with hands-on practice on pressure, wound packing and tourniquets. Then buy genuine: North American Rescue says counterfeit C-A-T tourniquets made in China have been flooding the market and failing when needed, and SAM Medical warns that bargain-priced products on auction sites may be fake. Buy from the maker or a seller you can confirm is authorized, and be wary of no-name 'tactical' tourniquets that copy the look.

Before you buy

Only buy a tourniquet that is on the CoTCCC recommended list, named exactly

For example 'Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) Gen 7', 'SAM Extremity Tourniquet (SAM-XT)' and 'SOF Tactical Tourniquet – Wide (SOFTT-W)'. Look-alike products with similar names aren't the listed device. Elastic wraps such as the SWAT-T aren't on the list.

Avoid fakes.

North American Rescue says C-A-T tourniquets are only made in the United States, so a C-A-T that ships from overseas is a warning sign. If you're unsure about one you own, NAR suggests comparing it with a genuine one and contacting them. SAM Medical says if a deal seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

On Amazon, check who the seller is: the same listing can be sold by several sellers.

The maker's own store or an authorized medical distributor is the safest source.

A kit adds what a tourniquet can't do

A pressure dressing and gauze for wounds you can't put a tourniquet on, gloves, and shears. Chest seals and hemostatic dressings are in larger kits; learn to use them before relying on them.

Keep a trainer separate.

North American Rescue sells a blue C-A-T for practice so the real one stays sealed. Never use a training tourniquet in an emergency.

Where to keep one: in the home first aid kit, the car and any hunting, hiking or range bag.

A bleeding-control kit sits alongside a general first aid kit; it doesn't replace one.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →

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Common questions

Which tourniquets are recommended?

The CoTCCC list names, among others, the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) Gen 7, the SAM Extremity Tourniquet (SAM-XT), the SOF Tactical Tourniquet – Wide (SOFTT-W), the Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT) and the Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet - Tactical (RMT-T; the list notes RMT civilian models aren't recommended). This page only lists tourniquets named on it.

How do I avoid a counterfeit tourniquet?

Buy from the maker or an authorized dealer, check who the Amazon seller is, and distrust bargain prices. North American Rescue says genuine C-A-T tourniquets are only made in the United States; SAM Medical says bargain-priced SAM products on auction or airsoft sites are suspect.

Where can I learn to use a tourniquet?

Take an ACS Stop the Bleed course. ACS says most last no longer than 90 minutes, there's typically no charge, there's no minimum age, and the hands-on skills part is in person.

Is the SWAT-T a tourniquet I can rely on?

The SWAT-T is a stretch-and-wrap elastic band. It isn't named on the CoTCCC recommended tourniquet list, so we don't list it here.

What are the basic Stop the Bleed steps?

The federal Stop the Bleed course (USUHS) says to make sure it's safe, have someone call 911, use a tourniquet for serious bleeding on an arm or leg, and apply pressure for bleeding elsewhere. A class shows you how.

Sources (6)