I have used a tourniquet a number of times in non-combat situations. Once was for a gun shot wound, one was for a suicide attempt and the remainder were for injuries of non-violent causations.

Tourniquets one of those things that when you need one, you really need one! As many have mentions CAT and SOF-T tourniquets are the standard for commercial tourniquets. You can't go wrong with either one, the only makor difference is the SOF-T has a metal windlass and the CAT's is plastic. That being said, I don't carry either of those.

My favorite tourniquet is the McMillian Tourniquet. Having used a all of the tourniquets mentioned in this post on a real patient (except the SOF-T, which I have used in training) the McMillian Tourniquet is as easy to use as the others and is much more durable than the others.

Now, the tourniquet I carry the most offen is the TK-4L, it is a pretty simple elastic design but it actually works. I have heard and read a lot of complaints about the TK-4 and the TK-4L but very few of those who don't like them have actually used them or tested them in a realistic tests. I would rather have a CAT or a McMillian, but you can't beat the TK-4L for size and price. These are cheap and compact enough to keep in just about any kit.