Original Special Operations Equipment (OSOE) has one of the most extensive lines of medic pouches on the market. In this review, I’ll be taking a look at 2 of their tourniquet (TQ) pouches – the Deployable TQ Pouch and the TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch.
Overview
Both pouches, like all OSOE gear, made from 1000D Cordura Nylon. They feature red webbing that visually indicates them as pouches that are carrying medical components and to visually indicate where to pull on the pouch to access the contents. Both pouches are designed to fully cover the TQ while also allowing it to be deployed quickly. These pouches are designed to mount via MALICE clips or similar.
The Deployable TQ Pouch is a vertical pouch that is suitable for carrying full size TQs like the CAT and SOF-T. It takes up only a single vertical column of PALS webbing and can be mounted on as few as 2 rows or as many as 3 rows of PALS webbing. It closed via hook and loop along its entire height and reinforced with a snap. You simply pull the webbing tab to deploy the TQ.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch also mounts vertically to a single column of PALS webbing. It needs only 2 rows of webbing to mount. It is closed via a hook and loop secured flap with a webbing tab. When the tab is pulled, it lifts the flap and raises the TK-4 tourniquet out of the pouch. It is a clever design.
Observations from Use
Both pouches performed well which is to say that they held their cargo without drama. You can’t ask much of a TQ pouch other than it holds the TQ securely and allows quick access which both pouches did.
I like the slim profile of the Deployable TQ Pouch. It is the kind of pouch that you can always find room for on your gear. I use it on my belt or mounted high on the front of a plate carrier. One the belt, it is slim enough to fit between other gear, out of the way but accessible. On the plate carrier, it is slim enough to ride next an admin pouch or unobtrusively up on the high, front of the plate where it can be reached easily with either hand.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch is a versatile and compact pouch which is fitting because the TK-4 itself is very compact. The TK-4 is not as fool proof as a full size TQ, but I own a ton of them because they are effective with some training, very affordable, and extremely compact. This pouch is a great compliment to the TK-4.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch’s compact footprint makes it right at home in the same places as the Deployable TQ Pouch but also offers some additional functionality like the ability to be strung onto a sling. I like to keep mine on the static portion of my Blue Force Gear VCAS sling so that I always have a TQ on my rifle. This is a very handy pouch.
Wrap Up
These OSOE TQ pouches secure and protect the tourniquet well and still allow fast, easy access. They are compact enough to be mounted in a number of different ways. Like all OSOE gear, they are overbuilt and should serve you well for a lifetime. Check out the OSOE line of medical pouches.
