I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never given blood. The closest I’ve gotten was when I went to the Great Hall at university where the mobile blood people were set up, stood in line for 15 mins and then rounded the corner, clocked an eyeful of all those people lying on those couches with tubes snaking out of their arms, and turned around and walked out again. Anxiety and cowardice, people!
I’ve had several blood tests in my life without freaking out. I weigh 147 lbs (67kgs) so I’m the right size. I have nice big veins. My blood pressure was 109/60 last time I checked. Never used IV drugs, never had unprotected sex, and so on. Spent a few weeks in England in the 80’s but that falls below the cut-off time-period.
So, yeah. Tell me what the experience is like. I like to be prepared. I want to seize the opportunity, next time I come across those mobile people, to get up on a couch and give some blood.
it’s easy. I’ve given 25 donations and the worst part about the experience for me is the queueing. You do feel a sharp prick when the needle is inserted but it doesn’t hurt very much at all, then you just lie there for a while. You even get a free cup of tea and a chocolate biccie or two.
I donate regularly at the Red Cross in Clarence Street, so I can describe the NSW Red Cross blood donation process:
- You fill in a declaration about various illnesses, sexual practices, travel etc.
- You get interviewed to see whether there are any special concerns.
- You have “pinprick finger” test done to check your haemoglobin levels.
- You wait around for a bit, and have a drink of fruit juice.
- You get taken into the donation area and lie down.
- The nurse asks you a few questions, just to double check your identity.
- Then the nurse takes your blood pressure, and swabs your arm.
- Then the needle goes in. It doesn’t really hurt - just a short, sharp prick.
- Then you lie there, squeezing a piece of rubber, encouraging blood flow.
- It usually then takes me about 8-10 minutes to fill the bag (470 mL).
- Afterwards, the needle is removed and a bandage applied.
- Then, if necessary, you lie there for a bit longer.
- Finally, you go out to the cafeteria and scoff down free fruit, cheese, bikkies, milkshakes etc.
There’s some useful info here.
Before I tested positive to a TB scratch test, I gave blood regularly. When I was young and foolish and inclined to do such things, I found that you could get drunk real cheap and easy after giving a pint. Also, at one blood bank there was a nurse that liked to come by and talk real provocatively to me. She was really hot.
Yeah, well, if the nurse was male and looked like Johnny Depp, I’d be there like a shot!
Thanks Cunctator for that link, it’s very informative. I live about 15 mins away from the Sydney CBD, so Clarence Street would be a good option for my first donation, especially since it’s a “permanent” blood donation centre.
I last gave blood a week ago. My technique is to not look when the nurse puts the needle in. It isn’t painful, just a little pinching feeling. While the blood is being taken I feel nothing (maybe boredom…) but it is over quickly. The needle comes out, the bandage goes on, you have a cookie and juice and that’s it.
I used to donate quite a bit. The actual donation is no big deal – just a little prick and some discomfort in the arm. Sometimes there is lightheadedness after donating – the best way I found to avoid that is to get a good night’s sleep before the blood drive. And don’t try to be a hero and walk out immediately – hang around and have some cookies and juice and let them watch you for a while.
The only pain you feel is the needle and afterwards you might feel a bit run-down. Make sure you take advantage of the free juice and cookies and take it easy for the rest of the day. The whole procedure is simple and safe. Plus, they type your blood! I found out I am O positive.
If you’re into this sort of thing, you should know that the instructions say “Eat heartily at your next meal”. Imagine - doctor’s orders!
I just went past the 5 gallon mark.
My 2 cents, eat before you go. Keeps you from getting lightheaded.
The lightheaded is part of the fun. Just take it easy, don’t get up too fast, and move slowly. But for me I get this 1/2 hour or so of lightheadedness that is a lot like being that “ideal level of slightly tipsy”
The last time I donated they couldn’t get a vein, so I had to drink a gallon of water. Make sure you are well hydrated before you go.
Not to rain on anyone’s great blood-giving experiences, but I have actually been asked not to try giving blood again. But then, I have the following to hold against me…
I have:
Bad veins, all deep and hard to find.
Abnormally low blood pressure that spikes massively when I am stressed.
An intense phobia of needles.
A dislike of medical environments (which lends to more stress).
So why did I give blood? Well, because it is the Right Thing to Do ™. I have never been one to let my phobias conquer me, so I sucked it up, stepped into the blood mobile, and rolled up my sleeves. At first, the nurses where afraid that my blood pressure was too low…then I saw the needles, and it shot up. They stabbed me over and over in my right arm, but couldnt get a vein, then tried the left arm, then went back to the right arm. Finally, they found a vein that would work, and I filled the bag in about a quarter of the time it took my wife to fill hers (she gives regularly, btw), and then I was moved to the recovery seat at the front of the bloodmobile.
The next thing I remember is someone shouting, someone slapping me, and the whole world vibrating. Apparently, I passed out and went into convulsions. When I finally came to, I had temporary amnesia (I honestly had no idea where I was, or who these people were standing around me, including my wife). Thankfully, it only lasted a few minutes, and then I was fine, but very woozy. The nurse there explained that my blood pressure, which had shot up so high from the stress, had essentially bottomlined when I was recovering.
They also explained that reactions like mine are extremely rare, and that, thankful as they were for me donating, I should probably consider simply volunteering to pass out cookies and juice at future drives.
I take it you’ve never had blood drawn for a lab test either?
Donating blood is highly commendable, so I don’t want to scare you off. However, while getting the needle in is usually no more painful that a quick pinch, it can be quite a bit more unpleasant if the phlebotomist has trouble finding a vein or getting the flow to start. I only tried to give blood once because they just couldn’t get a vein to flow. When I get blood drawn for a test, they have trouble getting a vein more often that they do for most people. Still, even this is not all that uncomfortable and the only lasting effect I’ve ever had from this is occasionally a little bruising.
Well it certainly isn’t pleasurable… 
I’ve been donating blood for some 14-15 years now… I try to donate once a year at least. I HATE needles… so I just don’t watch.
It feels like the needle is pushing against your skin once the blood is flowing… discomfortable to me… but not painful. Usually its all done in 10 mins max. Its the waiting that is boring.
Once you've donated blood... take things easily that day. Don't rush to drive... take your time to rest right after donating. I feel a bit "slow" for an hour or two at most... by the next day I don't even remember I "lost" some blood.
Overall I think every citizen that is able should donate blood... I do it because it right. An added bonus to men... is that regular donors seem to have fewer heart problems. Losing blood "cleans" up things a bit ?My $.02, also drink plenty of water or juice the whole day before you donate. Drink 'till your pee is colorless. Your blood will be a little thinner and come out better and you will keep your blood pressure up. Drink a lot after you give too. And eat things with sugar as a snack and eat some good, red meat at your next meal. I also tend to get a little cold while giving, so maybe bring a sweater you can drape over yourself.
It feels … WEIRD … I’ve only done it once. I swear I could feel that little machine PULLING the blood out of my body.
I have a weird kind of phobia about my veins etc but I never have problems with needles or anything. The worst part about donating blood was all the waiting around, especially if you’re nervous or impatient like me!
But that feeling of the blood coming out of me was very yucky … I haven’t rushed back. If my blood type were uncommon then I would of course do it, but since it’s a super common type, I have managed to convince myself that it’s not necessary for me to put myself through that discomfort.
Selfish … I know …
If you have a reasonably good technician, the needle stick won’t bother you. The worst discomfort I’ve had is a feeling something like a mild muscle strain. I’ve never had any sensation of the blood coming out at all.
A couple of times I’ve gotten so light-headed that things started to gray out for me. Just tell the staff immediately if you start to get woozy and they’ll lower your head, put cold compresses on your forehead and coo over you like a doting grandmother. The feeling passes quickly.
I’ve been donating for 35 years, and the most painful part for me is when you have to pull the bandage they put on your arm off. Though I suspect you don’t have the hair problem.
Two slight pricks, one when they draw blood from your finger for the test. You don’t feel anything when the blood is flowing, and nothing when they take the needle out. I have good veins, and I always finish faster than anyone else.
Two other good things - they tell you not to exert yourself too much, and I get a card back with my chloresterol level, which is always way low.