The C-A-T GEN7 Combat Application Tourniquet is a small, one-handed tourniquet that completely occludes arterial blood flow in an extremity. Developed by North American Rescue and awarded as one of the U.S. Army's Top 10 Greatest Inventions, the GEN7 is the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army and has seen use by both conventional and Special Operations forces. Proven 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper and lower extremities by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research, the GEN7 weighs 0.15 lbs and ships in Black or Orange. It fits any standard IFAK or tactical medical kit.

Who this is for

• First responders and military personnel: the official U.S. Army tourniquet, used in austere and high-stress environments where fine motor skills may be compromised.
• Law enforcement officers: a compact, one-handed device that fits belt kits, plate carrier accessory pouches, and duty IFAK setups without bulk.
• Civilians building emergency or trauma kits: recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and proven in real-world trauma scenarios, making it the standard by which other field tourniquets are measured.

Compatibility with parent gear

The C-A-T GEN7 fits any standard IFAK pouch and integrates with plate carrier medical pouches designed for a single tourniquet. At 7 x 2 x 2 inches and 0.15 lbs, it packs into tight spaces without displacing other kit components. The Self-Adhering Band and Friction Adaptor Buckle accommodate a wide range of extremity circumferences, so a single unit works across different users without modification.

Function

The windlass system uses a free-moving internal band to generate true circumferential pressure around the extremity. Once tightened sufficiently to stop bleeding, the windlass locks in place with the Windlass Clip. A Hook-and-Loop Windlass Strap then secures the windlass for patient transport. The dual securing system deliberately avoids screws and clips, which can become difficult to operate under survival stress or where fine motor skills are impaired.

GEN7 enhancements over earlier generations include a windlass rod with twice the diameter and improved grip, a reinforced windlass clip with a highly visible security tab, and a writeable area on the tab to record application time. NAR's Red Tip Technology adds a red elliptical tip to help users locate and thread the band during application. The tourniquet is designed to perform in all weather conditions.

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

What does the C-A-T GEN7 work with?

The GEN7 fits any standard IFAK pouch and most plate carrier medical or utility pouches that accommodate a single tourniquet. At 7 x 2 x 2 inches, it slides into tight slots without forcing other kit items out. Contact us if you need confirmation that it fits a specific pouch configuration.

What makes GEN7 different from earlier C-A-T generations?

The GEN7 windlass rod has twice the diameter of earlier versions and an improved grip surface. The windlass clip is reinforced, includes a high-visibility security tab, and has a writeable area for logging application time. NAR's Red Tip Technology, introduced in this generation, adds a red elliptical tip that helps users locate and thread the band under stress or in low light.

Can this tourniquet be applied with one hand?

Yes. The C-A-T GEN7 is a true one-handed application tourniquet. The Windlass Clip locks the windlass without requiring a second hand, and the overall design avoids screws and clips that become difficult to operate when fine motor skills are compromised.

Is the C-A-T GEN7 approved or validated by any official body?

Yes. It is the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army, validated as 100% effective in occluding arterial blood flow in both upper and lower extremities by the U.S. Army's Institute of Surgical Research. It is also recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and was named one of the U.S. Army's Top 10 Greatest Inventions.

Does color affect function?

No. Both Black and Orange variants are functionally identical. Orange is preferred in training environments and by users who prioritize rapid visual identification during casualty care. Black is favored where low-profile gear color matching is a priority.

Can this be shipped to any state?

The C-A-T GEN7 is a medical device and carries no body armor shipping restrictions. It ships to all 50 states. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, the federal body armor statute, tourniquets are not classified as body armor, so no felony-conviction prohibition applies to this product.