A tourniquet comprising: a base having first and second ends; a constricting band attached to and extending from the first end of said base ; a handle engaged with said constricting band ; and a tourniquet buckle assembly comprising substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame, including a frame member and a step member ; a self-cinching sliding arm transversely extending from a first side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame to a second opposing side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame , said sliding arm being configured to slide along the buckle frame; a buckle connector , including a hook member and a strap channel base member , said strap channel base member connected to said hook member and defining a central aperture, a loop engaged with said central aperture and fixedly attached to said base , wherein said step member is adjustably secured in a crescent trough of buckle connector and maintained in an engaged position by contact with said loop and/or an inner surface of the hook member , characterised in that said loop acts as a barrier to inadvertent disengagement of buckle as well as a means for attaching buckle connector to base . a base having first and second ends; a constricting band attached to and extending from the first end of said base ; a handle engaged with said constricting band ; and a tourniquet buckle assembly comprising substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame, including a frame member and a step member ; a self-cinching sliding arm transversely extending from a first side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame to a second opposing side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame , said sliding arm being configured to slide along the buckle frame; a buckle connector , including a hook member and a strap channel base member , said strap channel base member connected to said hook member and defining a central aperture, a loop engaged with said central aperture and fixedly attached to said base , substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame, including a frame member and a step member ; a self-cinching sliding arm transversely extending from a first side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame to a second opposing side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame , said sliding arm being configured to slide along the buckle frame; a buckle connector , including a hook member and a strap channel base member , said strap channel base member connected to said hook member and defining a central aperture, a self-cinching sliding arm transversely extending from a first side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame to a second opposing side of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame , said sliding arm being configured to slide along the buckle frame; a buckle connector , including a hook member and a strap channel base member , said strap channel base member connected to said hook member and defining a central aperture, a loop engaged with said central aperture and fixedly attached to said base , wherein said step member is adjustably secured in a crescent trough of buckle connector and maintained in an engaged position by contact with said loop and/or an inner surface of the hook member , characterised in that said loop acts as a barrier to inadvertent disengagement of buckle as well as a means for attaching buckle connector to base . <EOS>