Do Tourniquets Suck? Alone They Aren't Enough for EDC

The popular CAT Tourniquet most recommended for every day carry

Is the tourniquet the single most important medical item in your EDC medical kit?

It seems like it's become the common belief among many concealed carriers, tactical shooters, and even first responders. Tourniquets have been heavily promoted as a must-have — often portrayed as the gold standard in trauma response.

But what if that assumption is… incomplete?

In a thought-provoking article titled “Tourniquets Suck for EDC: Carry This Instead,” Justin at Swift | Silent | Deadly challenges the prevailing wisdom — and he does so with serious real-world experience behind his words.Let’s break down his case, and why you might want to rethink your everyday carry (EDC) medical setup.

Who Is Justin? Why His Voice Matters

Justin isn’t just another gear reviewer or blog writer. His resume makes him uniquely qualified to speak to both tactical and civilian medical realities:

• Sworn law enforcement officer

• Practicing paramedic and Search & Rescue (SAR) team member

• Former Marine Raider- Former special operations instructor

• Former OGA contractor

• Author of Competent & Dangerous

• Host of Across the Peak Podcast

In short: Justin straddles both sides of the line — the hard lessons of combat, and the daily reality of civilian trauma response.

The Central Argument: Tourniquets Have Limits

Justin starts by making this clear: tourniquets are incredible tools — within their narrow purpose.

A properly applied tourniquet can save lives by quickly stopping major bleeding from an arm or leg. But that’s just it: they only work on limbs — and even then, only on certain types of injuries.

So what are tourniquets actually used for? According to Justin, their clinical indications include:

• Massive, generally arterial bleeding from an extremity

• Amputations above the wrist or ankle

• Multiple injuries on an extremity where individual treatment isn’t feasible

But what about the rest of the body? What if someone is shot in the torso, neck, groin, or face? Or suffers a wound that a tourniquet can’t compress?

Justin’s blunt assessment: “A tourniquet leaves literally every other base uncovered.”

Data Doesn’t Lie: Most Gunshot Wounds Aren’t Tourniquet-Eligible

Here’s where Justin really makes his point. Citing a 2018 Johns Hopkins study that examined over 437,000 gunshot wound cases:

• 57.4% of those injuries were to the thorax or abdomen.

That’s right — more than half of all civilian gunshot wounds are in parts of the body where a tourniquet can’t help. Not surprising since "center mass" is the largest and most preferred target on the human body.

Even some arm and leg wounds are too high (e.g., junctional areas like armpits or groins) for a tourniquet to be effective. And these are precisely the injuries most common in civilian active shooter or violence scenarios.

So if your entire medical plan revolves around a tool that can only help in a small percentage of injuries, Justin argues, you’ve got a dangerous blind spot.

From the Ambulance: Real-Life Use Is Rare

Justin notes: 'In five years of working on a 911 ambulance, I’ve only had to resort to a tourniquet one time.'

Most trauma he’s seen was better addressed with pressure, packing, or dressings.

Complications: Tourniquets Come at a Cost

Tourniquets can cause tissue ischemia, cardiac complications, or trigger full trauma team responses in hospitals — with major financial impact. In untrained hands, they can even worsen outcomes.

So What Should You Carry Instead?

Justin recommends the OLAES Modular Bandage (4") or a triangular bandage. These tools offer pressure dressing, gauze packing, coverage for head, groin, junctional wounds, and more versatility than a single-purpose tourniquet.

The Better Alternative: OLAES Modular Bandage

OLAES Modular Bandage Packaged

If you’re only carrying one item, Justin recommends:

🟢 OLAES Modular Bandage (4")

Why?

• Works on junctional wounds (neck, groin, armpit)

• Allows pressure dressing, wound packing, and splinting

• Even functions as an improvised chest seal

• More versatile, compact, and useful across real-world trauma scenarios

OLAES Bandage Contents

Don’t have one? Even a triangular bandage is more adaptable than a single-use tourniquet.

What This Means for the EDC/Concealed Carry Community

If you’re a responsibly armed citizen, this article is a wake-up call. Tourniquets are vital, but not enough.

• Train for multiple scenarios.

• Understand that trauma extends beyond limbs.

A Balanced View

Some experts still emphasize the speed and ease of tourniquet use — and Justin agrees they have a place. His concern is over reliance and blind spots in your medical plan.

Our Take at TSG Defense

Tourniquets are still vital — but not alone. Consider this:

• Most threats you may face involve torso or junctional wounds

• A versatile bandage or gauze is more broadly useful than a limb-only device

• If you carry only a tourniquet, you’re not really "prepared" — you’re just partly covered

• Trauma gear ≠ tactical cosplay. Your kit should reflect reality.

Final Thoughts: Respect the Perspective, Update Your Kit

At TSG Defense, we’re proud to spotlight voices like Justin’s. His battlefield and EMS experience show that medical preparedness needs versatility.

Read Justin’s full article: https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/olaes-bandage-carry-this-instead-of-tourniquet/#more-11861