Tourniquet

A tourniquet for a limb, comprising:

• an elongated band having a first end, a second end, and a central portion between the first end and the second end, the elongated band having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge extending between the first end and the second end, the elongated band defining an opening therethrough between the first edge and the second edge spaced from the first end but substantially nearer the first end than the second end, the opening configured for receiving the second end and the central portion therethrough so as to form a loop along the elongated band beginning at the opening and ending at a point on the elongated band passing through the opening;
• a gripping element at the second end of the elongated band, the gripping element extending at least substantially between the first edge and the second edge, the gripping element being more rigid than the elongated band so as to reinforce the elongated band during tightening of the band around the limb, the gripping element including a rigid member having a length sufficient to extend across the elongated band and past the first edge and the second edge;
• first co-operating fastener elements disposed along an upper surface and a lower surface of the elongated band located proximate the second end and substantially nearer the second end than the opening so as to assist in holding the elongated band in place around the limb;
• and
• second co-operating fastener elements disposed along the upper surface and the lower surface located proximate the first end so as to assist in holding the elongated band in a spiral-wound configuration with the second end in the middle and the first end on the outside;
• wherein at the first co-operating fastener elements and the second co-operating fastener elements each include respective matching fabric hook and loop fasteners.