Giving Blood

[rhan101277]

Well I went today to give some blood for the first time. I know its strange, I want to help people but I get anxious when the blood pressure cuff goes on. Anyway my blood pressure was 175/95 and heart rate 124. They took it again after 5 minutes and it was still hosed. I explained I was nervous etc. maybe it will be taken so much during EMT class that it won't bother me.

Needless to say I couldn't give blood, due to my high blood pressure and high heart rate. You need a heart rate of under 100 to give blood. Hoping I can get over this during school.

 

[Hastings]

It's probably best.

I went to give blood to help a friend with a blood drive, and not only did the paramedic learn just how much it hurts to get your finger pr icked, but he also passed out right in front of everyone. Horrible. A million IVs given and taken, and I pass out. Agh. Embarrassing.

 

[mikie]

I try to donate regularly. My current record is 5:13 (min:sec) for a unit of blood. Never any problems except when I was over heated a few times (coming from work).

I hate those finger sticks (to check iron count (?))! I ask them to do that last out of all of their 'vitals,' in case I don't pass the temp or pulse, I don't need a little cut!

I asked them once what gauge they use...16 I believe.


edit: originally, I said "finger pri*cks" but apparently it's censored. So when I say stick, I don't mean like an IV

 

[Jeremy89]

I usually try to give as often as I can. Everytime I go, right before the stick, they say "you can turn away now" and I say, "no, I'm an EMT and nursing student so I don't mind". Well, apparently this made the lady nervous so she jammed it in, through the vein, out the other side and basically IM into my forearm!! OUCH! Then she pulled it out a little, but it had slipped out of the vein, causing a bruise so she just pulled it out and we called it a day. I can understand she was trying to get it over with, but I'd rather take the extra 1.5 seconds of pain, as opposed to the bruise I had to live with for the next 10 days.

To top it all off, she said "I can try the other arm, or you can just leave". I didn't want her going near my other vein so I decided to leave. Haven't been back ever since (2-3 mo's ago).

 

[mikie]

does anyone know their stick protocol? 2 attempts only? (1 per arm)?

What kind of training goes into their jobs? Are they phlebotomists (sp?) or just learned how to take a piece of metal and put in through the skin?

I learned through them that I'm A+ blood type...I never knew otherwise (kinda cool in my mind!)

 

[ulrik]

i am alittle afrid of needles, but only if there are going into me, i have no problem with giving them but if i need one for my life i suck it up, i only get nervous when a needle is a choice to me.

 

[csly27]

hmmm needles do not bother me so much giving or reciving. I have not gave blood. I used to donate plasma in AZ till I passed out one time,that was embarassing.

 

[mikie]

I try to donate regularly. My current record is 5:13 (min:sec) for a unit of blood.

Correction: my record is 5:23, my previous was 6:13. Getting my numbers confused! Hopefully I'll break it again next time! Maybe I'll make it down to a minute! Though, seriously, if I could do that in a minute, there is something terribly wrong!

 

[rmellish]

I had a good conversation with the supervising RN at a blood drive for the Indiana Blood Center. If I remember correctly, they get one attempt per arm, and only stick the AC.

Thats my issue with giving blood, I'd have no problem with it if they would use other sites, but all they ever *try* to hit is my Rt. AC. I have great veins and I honestly think that they send me to the newer Phlebs b/c I should be an easy stick.

They also tend to dig around, instead of removing the needle and simply trying another stick, because if they are not allowed multiple attempts per AC.