How many times should the windlass rod be twisted when applying the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT)?

When applying the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT), the windlass rod should be twisted no more than three times. This is important to effectively occlude the blood flow in the extremity without excessive twisting, which could potentially cause additional injury or complications.

Twisting the windlass more than three times might indicate over-tightening, which can lead to tissue damage or necrosis in the area. The design of the CAT facilitates the necessary compression when twisted appropriately while allowing for a controlled and effective application. The instruction to limit the number of twists to three ensures that the tourniquet achieves the required pressure to stop the bleeding while minimizing the risk of harm.