A catheter insertion device for use with a catheter having a catheter tube and a catheter hub , the catheter insertion device comprising: a needle housing ; an insertion needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end and a needle transition positioned therebetween; and a needle hub operably coupled to the proximal end of the insertion needle and slideably coupled to the needle housing , the needle hub moveable between a ready for use position and a safe position; wherein in the ready for use position, the catheter insertion device is configured to be operably coupled to the catheter in a manner in which release of the catheter from the catheter insertion device is inhibited by a safety coupling , the safety coupling including an engagement structure having a nose configured to be positioned at least partially interior to the catheter hub and one or more external hub contacts configured to grip an exterior of the catheter hub , and an actuator cooperating with the engagement structure to cause the one or more external hub contacts to grip the exterior of the catheter hub ; wherein proximal movement of the needle hub relative to the needle housing from the ready for use position to the safe position: (i) causes the needle transition to shift the actuator of the safety coupling proximally to cause the engagement structure to release the grip of the one or more external hub contacts from the exterior of the catheter hub , (ii) positions the sharp distal tip of the insertion needle within the nose to shield and inhibit access to the sharp distal tip , and (iii) causes a needle lock of the catheter insertion device to lock the needle hub relative to the needle housing in the safe position. a needle housing ; an insertion needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end and a needle transition positioned therebetween; and a needle hub operably coupled to the proximal end of the insertion needle and slideably coupled to the needle housing , the needle hub moveable between a ready for use position and a safe position; wherein in the ready for use position, the catheter insertion device is configured to be operably coupled to the catheter in a manner in which release of the catheter from the catheter insertion device is inhibited by a safety coupling , the safety coupling including an engagement structure having a nose configured to be positioned at least partially interior to the catheter hub and one or more external hub contacts configured to grip an exterior of the catheter hub , and an actuator cooperating with the engagement structure to cause the one or more external hub contacts to grip the exterior of the catheter hub ; wherein proximal movement of the needle hub relative to the needle housing from the ready for use position to the safe position: (i) causes the needle transition to shift the actuator of the safety coupling proximally to cause the engagement structure to release the grip of the one or more external hub contacts from the exterior of the catheter hub , (ii) positions the sharp distal tip of the insertion needle within the nose to shield and inhibit access to the sharp distal tip , and (iii) causes a needle lock of the catheter insertion device to lock the needle hub relative to the needle housing in the safe position. <EOS>