During a recent visit to Tac Med Solutions I got a chance to check out the newest version of the SOF Tourniquet or SOF-T as it’s commonly known.

There are multiple specific improvements to this tourniquet which I’ll cover in detail, but overall, these changes in material construction result in lighter weight and an easy-pull action for smooth and quick self-application.

Here’s a breakdown of the updates:

Performance Compression Band

Completely redesigned webbing maximizes compression during the application process. At a true 1.5” width, the new performance material glides through the Rugged Buckle for quick, snag-free operation and minimizes loss of pressure over time after application.

Rugged Buckle

Engineered to remove excess slack in a single fluid motion, the buckle’s shape stabilizes the Performance Compression Band at any angle of engagement. The new Rugged Buckle is an advanced, lightweight composite design with superior strength over previous versions.

Slack Indicator Wedge

Stitched into the Performance Compression Band below the windlass, the contrasting wedge offers a visual confirmation you have pulled all excess slack from the band. This is a critical step for proper tourniquet application and results in less windlass rotations required to reach occlusion.

High-Strength Aluminum Windlass

Machined from a single aircraft-grade aluminum bar stock, the 5.5” windlass features signature conical ends and grip-friendly texture for consistent torque. Its anodized finish minimizes impacts from environmental elements for durability in any scenario.

Reinforced Tourniquet Retention Assistance Clip

Conveniently holds the windlass in place until you can secure it into the Tri-Ring Lock – even under extreme lateral loads. The Tourniquet Retention Assistance Clip (TRAC) provides steady handling during tough applications and enhances control for one-handed maneuvers.

Tri-Ring Lock

Complete the tourniquet application by securing the windlass into the Tri-Ring Lock. It can easily be manipulated with just one hand and prevents the windlass from shifting during patient movement.

Time Tag

Document when the tourniquet is applied with no interference to the device securement mechanism.

Colors

Offered in a variety of colors: Black, Rescue Orange, Trainer Blue, Tan and Red for the American and Canadian Red Cross.

To be clear, although this is the fifth update to the SOF Tourniquet, previous versions still work. You can still use them with confidence and don’t have to replace them. This newest version just has improvements based upon years of use and material updates.

Any one of these improvements would have been welcome, but combined they make the tourniquet easier to properly employ and increase confidence that it will remain properly applied even during patient movement.

Get your SOF Tourniquet at www.tacmedsolutions.com/SOF-Tourniquet.

During a recent visit to Tac M’s ed Solutions they presented me with this Critical Event Individual Kit. It’s a very cool very of an IFAK, but what makes this particular one so interesting is that they made it while I was there touring the facility. One of our first stops was to their dedicated R&D department where they cook up new ideas and make short runs of custom products. They showed me their laser cutter and talked about how they were starting to integrate laser cutting more and more into their softgood designs.

After lunch, they presented me with this kit which features the SSD logo laser cut into the Black pouch and contrasted with MultiCam Black. They didn’t even ask me for a vector file of the logo. They went out on the web, found it and converted it into a format they could use on their cutter.

When I got it, I was pretty amazed, but once I opened it up, my smile became even wider. After all, the whole purpose of a pouch is to carry and I wanted to see what they had stuffed it with. Created as part of Tac Med Solutions’ NFPA 3000 compliant TacMed Critical Event Response System, the pouch include internal panels that can be adjusted to fit your exact equipment loadout and attaches to your vest or belt via PALS compatible straps.

They offer standard load detailed below, or you can specify contents.

Contents:
1x Signature Series OIFAK Pouch (Black)
1x SOF® Tourniquet Gen 4 (Rescue Orange)
1x OLAES® Modular Bandage (4″, Flat-Packed)
1x TACgauze Wound Wrapping Gauze
1x HALO Chest Seal (Vented, 2-pack, IFAK Size)
1x Trauma Shears (5.5″)
1x TacMed™ Combat Casualty Card
1x Sharpie (Black)
3PR Nitrile Gloves (Black, Size XL)*

Even with all of that, there’s still some room to spare so for my kit, they added something extra, the RISE (Rigid Immobilization System for Extremities), which I think is the coolest product launched during this year’s SHOT Show on Demand.

It is the most compact splint I have ever run across. It can be configured as a straight splint, 90-degree splint, or pelvic binder by using a windlass or ratcheting tourniquet with the available cutout slots. As you can see, it will still fit into most individual first aid kits, including all standard military-issue IFAKs. It’s also radiolucent, blood and chemical resistant.

This version of the Critical Event Individual Kit won’t be offered for sale, it was just a demonstration of their capability. Unfortunately, this custom service won’t be available for individual purchases. However, Tac Med Solutions will integrate custom logos for unit and agency orders (minimums apply).

www.tacmedsolutions.com/Critical-Event-Individual-Kit

*I’m going to swap the gloves out because it can be difficult to discern blood from other fluids with Black gloves, particularly in the dark.