Giving Blood - AKA The Stupid Thing That I Did

[No Misses]

This Rocket Surgeon did something really stupid Saturday night.

I did my normal 3 tank trip on Saturday (Halloween).

After putting the boat away, I rushed home to get a shower and rinse my gear. You see, I had to be out of the house before sunset. I did not have any candy for the neighborhood creatures.

I made it out of the neighborhood with time to spare. I figured that I would grab some dinner and maybe a movie.

While checking movie times I noticed that they were doing a blood drive in the theater parking lot. I figured, hey why not, that will kill some time. Oh yea, the platelet donation that will kill 30 minutes right there. As I sat there, having my life blood drained from me, the thought struck me “THIS IS STUPID”. I am loaded with nitrogen, and here I am removing red blood cells. This can not be good for “off gassing”.

Sunday: I am fried. I get up, shuffle through breakfast, look at the lawn and decide that it can go another week before being cut. I spent the whole day on the sofa. Now, this could have all been in my head. But, I was draggin’ a$$. I did find the ambition to go online to DAN.org and see what their take on donating blood and diving would be. The short answer is, don’t do it.


http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.aspx?faqid=201
Diving Medicine FAQs
Diving After Donating Blood
Q:
If I donate a pint of blood how soon afterward is it safe to dive?

A:
Immediately following blood donation, the volume of circulating blood is reduced. Provided the donor eats and drinks normally, blood volume returns to normal within 24 hours. Diving within the first few hours after donating blood is not advisable because of the possibility that reduced blood flow could cause impaired inert gas washout after a dive, and thus an increased risk of decompression sickness. We have no reason to believe that it is necessary to wait more than 24 hours after donation before scuba diving.

[inventor]

No good deed goes unpunished. Good on ya mate, for the donation though.

[emt]

Sorry about the stamina drop; that does sound like a cool experiment. But, I don't think I want to be one of the subjects...

Also, the blood drive on Halloween sounds really cool. Did they have ghosts/skeltons/zombies/ etc. around the blood donation site???

[inventor]

Originally Posted by emt

Sorry about the stamina drop; that does sound like a cool experiment. But, I don't think I want to be one of the subjects...

Also, the blood drive on Halloween sounds really cool. Did they have ghosts/skeltons/zombies/ etc. around the blood donation site???

There's a horror movie in there somewhere.

[Lulubelle]

Good reminder thanks! And good for you for donating.

They won't take mine anymore.

[rednose83]

I never even thought that would be an issue. Thanks for bringing it up.

They won't take mine either- I'm anemic.

[Vlane]

Thanks for that heads up. I hate needles so I don't give blood but good to know still. Glad you're giving blood and can stand those damn needles.

[inventor]

Originally Posted by Vlane

Thanks for that heads up. I hate needles so I don't give blood but good to know still. Glad you're giving blood and can stand those damn needles.

I go completely bo bo at the thought of metal in my body (from childhood). But I still donate about once a year.

[John Yaskowich]

I plan on giving next Monday - whole blood donation #104. I've been a regular since my 17th birthday, less a couple of years when I was "deferred" due to travels to suspect locations.

[Lulubelle]

Originally Posted by John Yaskowich

I plan on giving next Monday - whole blood donation #104. I've been a regular since my 17th birthday, less a couple of years when I was "deferred" due to travels to suspect locations.

Personally, I think they should let go of the travel restrictions for blood donors. There are not enough donors to throw out a low risk group like this imho. I read up on this after my trip to China.

Vlane, get over it, suck it up and try to donate. Take a valium beforehand. Good think you won't ever have to give birth, eh?