Give Blood

[Podblack]

Originally Posted by BlueDevil

As far as practicalities go I could well imagine that it would be difficult to find a suitable time slot since everyone will be wanting to maximise their time listening to the speakers.

As far as 'after effects' of giving blood goes it is usually pretty minimal. Most people get straight up afterwards, have a drink and some cheese and bikkies and then walk off without any problems. Fainting is not common for most people. Talking in tongues afterwards even less common...

Argh, I can attest to completely fainting and freaking out EVERYONE in a store... about twenty minutes after giving blood.

Luckily I was holding a flyer about blood donations at the time, as they were about to treat me for epilepsy!

[BlueDevil]

Originally Posted by Podblack

Argh, I can attest to completely fainting and freaking out EVERYONE in a store... about twenty minutes after giving blood.

Luckily I was holding a flyer about blood donations at the time, as they were about to treat me for epilepsy!

Actually it is not uncommon for people who faint to have a brief fit at the time. This is due to deprivation of blood flow to the brain which causes it to become irritable and fire off random electrical activity - a so called 'hypoxic fit'. Bystanders will sometimes just note the fit and assume an epileptic fit has occurred when in reality the real issue was fainting and the brief fit is secondary.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/106/9/1048.full

When someone has a fit secondary to fainting they generally recover quickly, whereas an epileptic fit usually results in a lengthy period of confusion/drowsiness/restlessness etc. There is usually other circumstantial evidence that helps distinguish the two as well.


Such fits can also occur in the initial phases of cardiac arrest for the same reason (oxygen deprivation to the brain). Beware the person complaining of crushing chest pain who suddenly loses consciousness and starts to fit! Chances are they were having a heart attack and have just gone into cardiac arrest. Stand by to do CPR!

Oooops...I think I have digressed a bit from the topic of donating blood! Todays first aid class has concluded.

[gruber]

gave blood today, nurse missed the vien first time and had to get it in the other one

[Mjt]

OK Grubes, you have inspired me and I have just signed up for my first ever donation on the 20th. Should I be nervous?

[Durro]

Nahhh, it's an easy process. A questionaire, a quick prick, then you squeeze a ball for the 10 mins it takes for the blood to empty out. They give you juice and bikkies afterwards and make sure you're not light headed before you leave.

I used to give blood both in Saudi and here, but I can no longer donate since a melanoma was discovered on my leg. I have to wait 5 years to ensure I don't spread any metastases to unwitting blood recipients (and to make sure that I survive as well).

[Mjt]

Doesn't sound too bad. I like juice and bikkies

[gruber]

OK Grubes, you have inspired me and I have just signed up for my first ever donation on the 20th. Should I be nervous?

the most painful part is when they prick ya finger to check your iron levels and getting on the scales

[Mjt]

I gotta get on the scales??? Can I keep my eyes closed?

[gruber]

probably just dont fall off

[Iseeyouthere]

I'd have to go get a check to see if I am able to give blood. Right now, I'm below average weight for people my age and height, so I may not be able to give due to medical safety reasons.

...I'm also terrified of needles...