If you need a tourniquet but have run out of CATS and no other commercial tourniquets are available, what should you do?

Creating an improvised tourniquet is the correct approach when you have exhausted your stock of commercial tourniquets like CATS and no other options are available. An improvised tourniquet can be made from common materials such as strips of cloth, bandages, or even a sturdy rope. The essential function is to apply enough pressure above the injury site to effectively halt blood flow from a limb, which is critical in preventing excessive blood loss and stabilizing the patient until professional medical assistance can be obtained.

Using direct pressure only may not be sufficient in severe cases of hemorrhage, particularly if arterial blood flow needs to be controlled. Waiting for professional help without attempting to manage the bleeding can be life-threatening if the injury is serious. While using a belt could potentially work, it lacks the ability to create the necessary pressure and can be difficult to secure properly. Therefore, improvising a tourniquet allows you to take immediate action to protect the victim’s life effectively.