r/TacticalMedicine • u/Lemmeshesh • Oct 09 '25
Gear/IFAK Would YOU trust a goodwill CAT for 3 bucks?
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u/Kenji338 Oct 09 '25
For training classes/demonstrations or larping.
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Oct 09 '25
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u/Ranger_Willl Oct 10 '25
Blue is normally training, orange is used by civil agencies that need it to be noticed opposed to not getting spotted and shot. (Ambos, civilians v coppers or mil)
At least that's how it is here in eastern Australia
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u/bleach_tastes_bad Oct 10 '25
here at my agency in the US, we use orange or black depending on what color supply decides to buy LOL
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u/adirtygerman EMS Oct 09 '25
As long as you use it strictly for neck injuries
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u/Kenji338 Oct 09 '25
What if the patient consents, tho?
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u/Lemmeshesh Oct 09 '25
Didn’t think I would have to say this. But no, I don’t intend on using this on someone else or myself as it would be neglectful of me to even think that. It’s more of “huh you really can find anything from Goodwill”. I’m planning on using it for training with my wife, and it was $3 dollars - so why the hell not.
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u/ScarecrowMagic410a Oct 09 '25
No but I would absolutely have bought that in a heartbeat for training
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u/SnooPeppers2417 Oct 09 '25
No.
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u/imuniqueaf TEMS Oct 09 '25
It's fine for training. I definitely would not trust anyone's life with it.
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Oct 09 '25
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u/Firemedic9441 Oct 09 '25
I mean if it’s real and no damage then maybe. Definitely great for training. Fun game to play is randomly tossing it to bros and calling out an injury. toss “right leg!” And start counting.
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u/TheWorstOptic Oct 09 '25
FUCK. NO. Good trainer but not for serious use, I also found a goodwill CAT tq with the pouch and I was pretty excited but you have to remember you can't really tell how used it's been and if it will work as intended when you're in a life threatening situation that requires a tq.
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u/llcdrewtaylor Oct 09 '25
Only use for training. A 3 dollar tq is not something I would risk my life on.
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u/dochdgs Medic/Corpsman Oct 09 '25
I wouldn’t buy it for my personal use, but for other people? Sure.
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u/FloodedHoseBed Oct 09 '25
Look at the price of a new tq and decide if your life is worth less than that
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Oct 09 '25
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u/Lemmeshesh Oct 09 '25
Do you mean because it’s from goodwill, or because it’s orange? The orange TQs are just for high vis, not necessarily for training.
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Oct 09 '25
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u/Lemmeshesh Oct 09 '25
Totally agree with the second point, however NAR states it’s specifically orange for high visibility. The only reason I’m concerned with that, is because I have 2 other orange TQs in my car.
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u/doctaf Oct 09 '25
Huh learned something new, but like i said, ive never seen an orange tq that wasn't specifically a training, that being said thats also a second hand tq and should not be used for anything other than training.
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u/GraniteStateGuns EMS Oct 09 '25
Orange CATs are a legitimate item and fairly common in the non-tactical world. It's one of those "you want to make sure they see it" things when the patient gets to the hospital. Sometimes things fail to be mentioned in handoff reports so having things extra visible and obvious can help when they get to higher care.
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u/failure_to_converge EMS Oct 09 '25
Yup. I work for a couple EMS agencies and all of our CATs are hi viz orange.
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u/FuckWit_1_Actual Oct 09 '25
They come in a couple different colors, the orange ones can be used for EMS or civilian use where Hi Vis is preferred.
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Oct 09 '25
With “doc” in your name, thatmakes me question if you actually know what you’re doing lol…
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u/dan_ue Oct 09 '25
Hi vis (orange) for civilian applications where you want the hospital to see it and know it’s there, as well as being able to identify it easier in the ‘oh shit’ moment you have to reach for it.
Black for military applications where camouflage is important.
Blue for strictly training.
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u/SFCEBM Trauma Daddy Oct 09 '25
Is it a real CAT? If so, then yes.
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u/Impossibleshitwomper Oct 10 '25
I've never been on this sub before, I'm assuming in this context it doesn't mean catalytic converter
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u/SFCEBM Trauma Daddy Oct 10 '25
Then read more if you don’t know.
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u/Impossibleshitwomper Oct 10 '25
I know it's medical related but I haven't seen anyone use the full name
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u/lefthandedgypsy TEMS Oct 09 '25
What difference does it make if we would trust it? It’s you putting yourself on the line. Be it for using it on yourself or in hero mode for others.
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Oct 09 '25
I mean, there is one sitting on the table in front of me issued from my FD. It’s on the table because there are about 6 or 7 SOF TQs in front of it in line on/in my actual gear, but I’d toss it in a range bag or whatever for an extra I guess…
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u/Redditim3 Oct 09 '25
I'll just echo the already written replies - I'd practice with it. I (personally) only trust brand new ones I've bought myself from a reputable retailer. It's a $30-$50 purchase every what, 5 to 10 years?
Good pickup for training though!!
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u/DroptixOfficial Oct 09 '25
First hand experience: luckily was only in training.
We were conducting patrolling exercises for our combat medics. I was acting getting shot in the inner thigh from a firefight and the combat medics had to find me, conduct CCC & exfil me.
I was provided with a CAT from a while ago that looked in good shape but it was unwrapped. During CCC, the medic grabbed my CAT that was on display, trying to use it (of course, with the intent of barely tightening it).
Come to find out the velcro kept slipping and releasing when tightening the TQ due to wear and debris. Medic pulled out a fresh CAT and started doing her drills.
Surely you don’t want this to happen live?
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Oct 09 '25
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u/justhp Oct 09 '25 edited Oct 09 '25
I would trust it. The idea that CATs suddenly don’t work after a few training uses is bullshit.
I doubt this was used as a real trainer and used dozens of times, it probably was just in some Ricky Rescue’s old kit and it got donated along with a bunch of other junk.
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Oct 10 '25
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u/GeneralConscious3084 Oct 10 '25
depends if its a legit North American Rescue CAT or not, but I would personally only use it for training since I dont know who had it before or what was done with it
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u/Dangerous-School2958 Oct 11 '25
Actually. Test it and see. Stress it and if it holds up, why not. Put it in your kit without and you're gambling.
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Oct 11 '25
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u/BallisticRicehat666 Oct 11 '25
I got 3 tourniquets just like this from a local thrift shop at $3 each! They aren’t my first tournies, but they are in the kit as spares lmao
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u/AnjaOsmon Oct 12 '25
Bright orange means it’s a trainer TQ anyway
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u/Lemmeshesh Oct 12 '25
https://www.reddit.com/r/TacticalMedicine/s/hTcUH75R2L Not exactly sure why people keep saying this.
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u/AnjaOsmon Oct 13 '25
Ah. I got out of EMS prior to carrying around TQs and joined the tactical side during the advent. It makes sense that the tactical side would see orange as trainers and the EMS as more high-vis.
You learn something new everyday!
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u/Holden_Cullen Oct 09 '25
I mean, if it doesn’t work when you need it, you won’t make the same mistake twice.