Intended as an alternative to mounting a tourniquet with inferior shock cords, the Tourniquet Strap by Blue Force Gear allows the user to hang a tourniquet in a save and secure manner so that it is readily accessible.
Designed to be woven between traditional MOLLE/PALS webbing, the rigid milspec polymer baseplate serves as a backer behind webbing, while the dual elastic retention cuffs are placed between the 1” spacing between each MOLLE band.
The elastic cuffs themselves can accommodate a CAT tourniquet (or similar sized immediate aid device) or a single set of flexcuffs.
Throughout, the Tourniquet Strap utilizes TEX 70 bonded nylon threading for durability, and 6/6 nylon in the cuff material for added strength.
Specifications:
- Overall Size is .125″ (W) x 1″ (L) x 4.75” (H)
The Tourniquet Strap is available in Multicam (featured) Black, Coyote Brown, OD Green, Foliage Green, and Wolf Grey.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): At just $11.95 the Tourniquet Strap (TS) is an efficient means to secure a tourniquet external to any legacy MOLLE/PALS-enabled webbing. This is a formalized way to secure the item over more expedient or lesser secure means, such as shock cord or hook-and-loop strips. TacMed Solutions offers its Tourniquet Straps ($11.19) that is similar, but most manufactures offer tourniquet pouches/holsters as actual stand-alone products, not dissimilar from Blue Force Gear’s Tourniquet Now! pouch.
- Comfort – Average (3/5): From a comfort aspect, the TS was rather straightforward, and allowed the user to place a tourniquet (more or less) vertically in any comfortable position available, provided they are using the legacy of MOLLE/PALS webbing with 1” spacing. Unfortunately, using the TS on newer, laser-cut webbing didn’t have the same applicability, as that type of material lacks the spacing between the webbing to pass the elastic bands through. The TS can be placed on laser-cut webbing, but the elastic bands must parallel the MOLLE cuts and thus the tourniquet was only able to be positioned horizontally, and thus somewhat limited where it was placed.
- Durability – Good (4/5): Again straightforward, the TS comprises a durable polymer baseplate, and two elastic cuffs. The repetitive drawing and holstering of the tourniquet did not reveal any faults in durability, as it was unlikely that merely pulling the tourniquet from the strap would generate sufficient force to tear or otherwise compromise the any of the materials. The TS was a notable and definite improvement over using shock cord, which can tear, weather, or fray easily. Overall a very durable design for legacy MOLLE/PALS webbing.
- Functionality – Fair (2/5): From a functional aspect, the user needs to be cognizant of the TS design, and its need to be used on legacy MOLLE/PALS webbing with the 1” spacing between nylon bands. Because it is in that spacing that the elastic cuffs are intended to sit while securing the tourniquet. Newer laser-cut designs no longer have that spacing and thus the elastic cuffs won’t fit correctly, unless the TS is turned horizontally. Otherwise the baseplate slid easily under the nylon field, and the bands were quite effective in retention. In essence, the user only had to pull to deploy the tourniquet.
- Weight – Good (4/5): At a mere 16 grams (0.5 ounces) the Tourniquet Strap is a no-frills retention strap, and of such light weight one will hardly notice its presence. In comparison, other dedicated tourniquet pouches will weigh more simply because they involve more material – but not a sufficient amount.
Overall Rating – Average (16/25)
Product Link: https://www.blueforcegear.com/tourniquet-now-strap.html
The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.