Thank you for the link. You might also be interested in this study if you didn't already know:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26630092
That RAT seems to carry quite a bit of drama not related to the question of its effectiveness.
https://www.itstactical.com/medcom/m...tccc-approval/
https://havokjournal.com/nation/when...ther-veterans/
I found the first of the two links in Greg Ellifritz's blog, which was listed among many many others when it comes to competing products.
https://www.activeresponsetraining.n...like-a-zip-tie
Ultimately I think I'd argue it the same way I might argue a choice of pistol: if you know how to use it, practice with it consistently, and take it to training, then that's what matters more. For example, in the IFAK refresher I mentioned earlier, our instructors (Glen Stilson and Adal Lopez) did teach us how to use TK4s while pointing out that it used elastic, required considerably more strength and dexterity that certain situations would not be likely to afford, but that they believed it was more effective than the CAT or SOFTT-W on pets and children.
That somewhat conflicts with what Mr. Ellifritz says in that blog entry, but the TK4 did come with the mini kit I keep in my lunch bag along with a CAT. I probably won't be using it on myself and I probably won't be in a situation that ends up with me using up all the other TQs I have, but it doesn't take up that much more space and I have learned how to use it to the point that it does cause lack of perfusion and also a certain universal facial expression when it's tight enough.
Also, I remembered there was a search function and found this older thread:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....ATS-tourniquet