When you’re a first responder, it’s not a question of IF it’s going to happen – but WHEN.
That’s where good equipment and training come in, so when WHEN happens, you’re prepared. Like a boy scout. Only more boss.
So let’s talk about being prepared. As an officer, I have made a concerted effort to carry some kind of tourniquet kit on my person for over ten years. Honestly, it hasn’t been easy to keep up with - mostly because technology has improved over the years, and we have been required to add more and more new gear to our duty belts (cameras, tasers, etc.). To make room, rarely used items, like bulky nylon tourniquet cases, got demoted from the belt to somewhere in the patrol vehicle. For a while, I rigged up a CAT (combat application tourniquet) on my duty belt with a complex system of rubber bands, but it was a pain in the ass and I didn’t have time to play MacGyver with it every time I took my equipment off.
I’ll be honest – I got lax about it and I frequently left it in the patrol car.
Then, a wake-up call: the Boston Marathon bombing.
An incident like that can (and should) get you thinking. What if? Would I have been prepared? Would I have been able to save a life? With my CAT way back there in the patrol car? Maybe… but maybe’s not good enough when someone’s bleeding out right in front of you.
After that introspection, the hunt was on. I needed a compact, easy to access, heavy-duty-yet-lightweight tourniquet case. Not there, but THERE for when I needed it.
That’s where good equipment and training come in, so when WHEN happens, you’re prepared. Like a boy scout. Only more boss.
So let’s talk about being prepared. As an officer, I have made a concerted effort to carry some kind of tourniquet kit on my person for over ten years. Honestly, it hasn’t been easy to keep up with - mostly because technology has improved over the years, and we have been required to add more and more new gear to our duty belts (cameras, tasers, etc.). To make room, rarely used items, like bulky nylon tourniquet cases, got demoted from the belt to somewhere in the patrol vehicle. For a while, I rigged up a CAT (combat application tourniquet) on my duty belt with a complex system of rubber bands, but it was a pain in the ass and I didn’t have time to play MacGyver with it every time I took my equipment off.
I’ll be honest – I got lax about it and I frequently left it in the patrol car.
Then, a wake-up call: the Boston Marathon bombing.
An incident like that can (and should) get you thinking. What if? Would I have been prepared? Would I have been able to save a life? With my CAT way back there in the patrol car? Maybe… but maybe’s not good enough when someone’s bleeding out right in front of you.
After that introspection, the hunt was on. I needed a compact, easy to access, heavy-duty-yet-lightweight tourniquet case. Not there, but THERE for when I needed it.
Eleven 10 RIGID tourniquet holder on 2" belt In my search, along came the Eleven 10 RIGID tourniquet holder. Slim, tough, adaptable. It was exactly what I was looking for, and now I’m going to gush about it:
Let's start with the material – Kydex. Lightweight, scratch proof, weatherproof – this essentially COP-PROOF material is what makes the Eleven 10 RIGID really hold up to the abuse of daily field wear.
But the best part about it is the size. The Eleven 10 RIGID is made specifically for a standard CAT, and is therefore only slightly larger than the tourniquet itself. The fit of the CAT in the RIGID is perfectly secure, and the compact size means it easily fits on a standard 2" duty belt.
And that brings me to the other really cool thing about the Eleven-10 RIGID.
You have the option to order it in several different carry systems – MOLLE, Tactical Tailor, Raven Concealment, and more. I ordered mine with the proven Blade-Tech TEKLOK system, which allows you to mount the equipment vertically or horizontally.
Let's start with the material – Kydex. Lightweight, scratch proof, weatherproof – this essentially COP-PROOF material is what makes the Eleven 10 RIGID really hold up to the abuse of daily field wear.
But the best part about it is the size. The Eleven 10 RIGID is made specifically for a standard CAT, and is therefore only slightly larger than the tourniquet itself. The fit of the CAT in the RIGID is perfectly secure, and the compact size means it easily fits on a standard 2" duty belt.
And that brings me to the other really cool thing about the Eleven-10 RIGID.
You have the option to order it in several different carry systems – MOLLE, Tactical Tailor, Raven Concealment, and more. I ordered mine with the proven Blade-Tech TEKLOK system, which allows you to mount the equipment vertically or horizontally.
As an added bonus, I realized the Eleven 10 RIGID would also work with the Safariland ELS system, provided I connected the female end of the ELS to the TEKLOK on my duty belt.
If you’re familiar with the Safariland ELS, you know the potential it gives you for instant versatility. Simply add a female connector to your belt, your bag, your vest, your whatever, and the male locking fork to your piece of equipment. In a matter of seconds and a quick squeeze, your gear can go from platform to platform.
If you’re familiar with the Safariland ELS, you know the potential it gives you for instant versatility. Simply add a female connector to your belt, your bag, your vest, your whatever, and the male locking fork to your piece of equipment. In a matter of seconds and a quick squeeze, your gear can go from platform to platform.
far left: Safariland ELS female locker on left, Eleven 10 RIGID with Safariland ELS male locking fork on right
center: Safariland single strap drop leg platform with QLS and ELS female plates
far right: Safariland Drop leg with 6004 holster and Eleven 10 RIGID attached
center: Safariland single strap drop leg platform with QLS and ELS female plates
far right: Safariland Drop leg with 6004 holster and Eleven 10 RIGID attached
Having the ability to apply these attachment systems to the Eleven 10 RIGID is a huge plus for guys like me, that switch between patrol and tac team duties regularly. While on patrol, I carry the RIGID on my duty belt just behind my radio. But while performing tac team duties, I use a Safariland drop leg setup. Now I can move the RIGID tourniquet holder from duty belt to drop leg in a matter of seconds.
Big props to the team at Eleven 10 gear. (<-- Seriously, check them out)
Now, there’s no excuse for me to be without a tourniquet on my person.
I consider myself prepared.
Are you?
Big props to the team at Eleven 10 gear. (<-- Seriously, check them out)
Now, there’s no excuse for me to be without a tourniquet on my person.
I consider myself prepared.
Are you?
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