A self-loosening tourniquet cuff for optimization of tourniquet time comprises an inflatable bladder, an elastic self-loosening tether and an inelastic safety tether. The bladder has a length between first and second ends sufficient for the bladder to encircle a patient's limb and overlap itself. The elastic self-loosening tether has an elastic member non-releasably attached to the bladder near the first end and a securing member non-releasably attached to the elastic member and adapted to releasably attach to the bladder when overlapped to establish a first bladder overlap length. The elastic member is adapted for stretching to establish a second bladder overlap length less than the first bladder overlap length. The inelastic safety retainer retains the bladder around the patient's limb near the second bladder overlap length when the bladder is inflated to a pressure sufficient to stop the flow of arterial blood into the patient's limb distal to the bladder.