A tourniquet apparatus, comprising: a cuff for encircling and applying a level of pressure to a limb of an individual patient; a user interface adapted for selection by a user of a protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) from a plurality of protocol symbols (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) wherein each protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) is indicative of a corresponding safety protocol that specifies a plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) associated with a plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152) during a stored protocol time period, and wherein the user interface is further adapted to enable the user to adjust at least one pressure level or time of the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) and times indicated by the selected protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) within safe pressure limits associated with the selected protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d); a controller responsive to the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) and the plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152) specified by the safety protocol, after any adjustments by the user, and operable during the stored protocol time period for maintaining the level of pressure applied by the cuff to the individual patient near the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) at the plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152); a protocol hazard key adapted for manual actuation by the user to end the stored protocol time period at any time while the controller is operable if a hazard to the individual patient is perceived by the user; and a protocol safety interlock adapted to prevent selection of a second protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) by the user while the controller is operable. a cuff for encircling and applying a level of pressure to a limb of an individual patient; a user interface adapted for selection by a user of a protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) from a plurality of protocol symbols (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) wherein each protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) is indicative of a corresponding safety protocol that specifies a plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) associated with a plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152) during a stored protocol time period, and wherein the user interface is further adapted to enable the user to adjust at least one pressure level or time of the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) and times indicated by the selected protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) within safe pressure limits associated with the selected protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d); a controller responsive to the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) and the plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152) specified by the safety protocol, after any adjustments by the user, and operable during the stored protocol time period for maintaining the level of pressure applied by the cuff to the individual patient near the plurality of stored pressure levels (130, 140, 150) at the plurality of stored times (132, 142, 152); a protocol hazard key adapted for manual actuation by the user to end the stored protocol time period at any time while the controller is operable if a hazard to the individual patient is perceived by the user; and a protocol safety interlock adapted to prevent selection of a second protocol symbol (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) by the user while the controller is operable.