Donating blood

Medical and Healthcare
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Deeps
Posts: 5797
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:36 pm

Re: Donating blood

Post by Deeps »

They don't want my dirty contaminated blood, I had hepatitis when I was 5 and that's it apparently. Mrs Deeps donates from time to time, its something I would do if I could more out of 'duty' than anything else, I guess like most people I'm not overly fond of the notion of parting with the stuff.

Well done on doing though.
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Zunzuncito
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Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:07 pm

Re: Donating blood

Post by Zunzuncito »

I donate blood too but only on occasion just due to personal time constraints. I do find it absolutely wipes me out though (I'm on a little 'un) and I do have an occasional tendancy to pass out but other than that it's fine.

Anyone who is thinking of doing it and hasn't before i'd say definately go for it - my top tip would be through try and donate toward the end of the day. That way if you're like me and it knackers you out at least you won't have to feel tired all day.
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Decaff
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Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:59 pm

Re: Donating blood

Post by Decaff »

If you have an operation coming up, ask your consultant about doing a autologous donation, then you get back your own blood should it be required during your op.
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gamekeeper752
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 4:31 pm
Location: Wessex

Re: Donating blood

Post by gamekeeper752 »

both me and the missus donate and i'm well into my 70th donation now gold badge and all that. i intend to get to 100 donations, then i shall feel happy. luckily i'm a+ common as muck but to tell the truth i only do it for the free tea and bag of crisps
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sniper 55
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Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:49 am

Re: Donating blood

Post by sniper 55 »

I used to give quite often, but they wont take mine anymore as I'm on medication, I would otherwise... Anything for a cuppa and a biscuit... ;)
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Juno
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Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 8:37 am

Re: Donating blood

Post by Juno »

PreppingPingu wrote:Thanks for the post, it may just prod me into action.
That's what I was hoping for! :)
PreppingPingu wrote: Yes it is prepping. In a large scale event, we may need blood.
Arzosah wrote:I agree, it's a good prep for society as a whole, nice one :)
Thanks guys, glad people share my point of view :)

Interesting to see how many people actually can't give blood for one reason or another. The stat I read was that 38% of the population can give blood - I was surprised it was so low but this thread has given me quite an insight into why that would be!
Stasher wrote:I used to give blood, but now donate platelets - it's a far more civilised process!
I saw people doing that and wondered about it. Why do you say more civilised, is that because you end up with the same volume of blood (more or less) at the end of the process, so presumably you don't suffer the ill effects so much? I also wasn't sure how it compared to giving whole blood - is it as useful? Does it serve a different purpose?
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gamekeeper752
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 4:31 pm
Location: Wessex

Re: Donating blood

Post by gamekeeper752 »

heres a little bit of info for you all
According to the American College of Surgeons’ Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), hemorrhaging can be divided into four classifications of severity. The first class is the least severe, concerning a hemorrhage equal to or lesser than 15 percent of the body’s total blood volume. For reference, when a person donates blood, about eight to 10 percent of the body’s blood is removed. There are generally no symptoms of blood loss at this point, though some may feel slightly faint.

A Class 2 hemorrhage is a loss of 15 to 30 percent of blood volume. This is where symptoms of blood loss begin to manifest. “The body tries to compensate at this point with, among other things, a faster heartbeat to speed oxygen to tissues,” Alton said. “The patient will feel weak, appear pale, and skin will be cool.”

The next level of blood loss occurs with the Class 3 hemorrhage, which references loss of 30 to 40 percent of total blood volume. This could be around 3 to 4 pints of blood, for those keeping track. Blood transfusion is usually necessary with a hemorrhage of this magnitude, according to Alton.

“At this point, the heart will be beating very quickly and is straining to get enough oxygen to tissues,” he said. “Blood pressure drops. Smaller blood vessels are constricting to keep the body core circulation going.”

The final classification of hemorrhaging, Class 4, occurs when a person loses over 40 percent of their blood volume. A hemorrhage so severe requires immediate and major resuscitative help, or else the strain on the body’s circulatory system will be too great to survive. The heart will no longer be able to maintain blood pressure and circulation, Alton said, so organs will fail and the patient will slip into a comatose state preceding death.
Train hard,Fight easy, put the kettle on and make tea