## Common ground
All options refer to first-aid tourniquets, devices used to control severe bleeding by applying pressure to a limb.
## Options at a glance
**3920.99 – Plastic material**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed primarily from rigid or semi-rigid plastic components.
- **Typical examples:** Windlass-style tourniquets with plastic handles and bands.
- **Best fit when:** The tourniquet relies on a plastic mechanism for tightening (e.g., a ratchet or windlass).
**4008.21,4014.90 – Rubber**
- **Defining trait:** Made mainly from flexible rubber or elastomeric materials.
- **Typical examples:** Simple rubber band tourniquets used in basic first aid.
- **Best fit when:** The primary pressure element is a stretchable rubber band or tube.
**6307.90 – Textile material**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed from woven or knitted fabric (e.g., nylon, cotton).
- **Typical examples:** Military-style tourniquets with fabric straps and a tightening buckle.
- **Best fit when:** The main body is a fabric strap with a rigid or mechanical fastener.
## Key differences
| Feature | Plastic | Rubber | Textile |
|------------------|---------------|----------------|----------------|
| Material type | Rigid plastic | Flexible rubber| Woven fabric |
| Primary function | Mechanism | Elasticity | Strap support |
| Common use | Tactical/medical | Basic first aid | Field/emergency |
## How to choose
- Is the tourniquet made of a hard or rigid plastic part (e.g., windlass, buckle)? → 3920.99
- Does it rely on stretchy rubber for pressure? → 4008.21,4014.90
- Is it primarily a fabric strap with a buckle or clip? → 6307.90
## Overlaps & pitfalls
A tourniquet may combine materials (e.g., textile strap with plastic buckle), making it fit multiple codes. In such cases, the **main functional material** determines classification. If unclear, prioritize based on the component that applies pressure or defines the device’s operation. No option is inherently more accurate—choose based on the dominant material in use