Top 10 mistakes to avoid when you donate blood

Walk into any blood donation drive and you see only a handful of donors from a huge potential donor base. Call someone to donate blood in emergencies for a friend and you see people come forward but have too many questions in the head. Often people are worried about a lot of things when asked to donate blood. The one thing that tops this list is the concern "Will I be safe after donation?" or even "My friend fainted will I faint too?" etc and so on. Donors in most cases want that assurance of safety. Although much of the onus falls on the standard and quality of the Blood Bank staff, there is a lot more YOU as a donor can do to have a safe donation experience. Blood donation is indeed a simple and easy process once you ensure that the following mistakes are not committed:

Mistake 1. Not coming prepared: Preparation? Yeah. Essentially every donor needs to make he/she does some work on oneself before donating blood. And what's that?

• Having something substantial to eat in the last 4 hours.
• Sleeping well for 6 or more hours on previous night.
• Not having smoked in the last 2 hours
• Not having consumed alcohol in the last 12 hours.

And that's it. First mistake is avoided!

Mistake 2. Not filling donor form: Irrespective of where or when you donate you need to answer some questions. And where are they available? On the donor questionnaire form. Remember:

• Every question answered honestly takes you closer to a safer blood donation.
• Be free in giving information. The data in the form is absolutely confidential, it is to ascertain your fitness for donation.
• The form is available online at https://goo.gl/49ENir.

Fill up the donor questionnaire form and the second mistake is buried!.

Mistake 3. Not having enough water before donation: Water before donation? Yes.

• Having enough water (300 ml to 500 ml) in the 10 mins prior to donation is proven to reduce chances of donor discomfort post donation. Ensure that you have water (2-3 full cups) before proceeding for your medical examination.

This done, mistake 3 is killed.

Mistake 4. Not Disclosing Your Medical History: Disclosing the medical history and any medications you're on is important both for your as well as patient's safety. Remember:

• Inform the doctor if you're on medication.
• If you had undergone any surgery, dental extraction, ear or body piercing, tattooing you are not eligible to donate blood for six months.
• If you have taken any vaccination in the past one year please consult the doctor before donating blood.
• People who are on medication for hypertension or blood sugar are eligible to donate if their levels are under control. Do keep the medical officer informed about the same.

Now you have the fourth error avoided.

Mistake 5. Not being relaxed: A relaxed mind is your best bet for a pleasurable experience.

• Relax for the blood bag used is new and there is no reuse of the syringe. Relax for you have taken sufficient pre donation care to reach here.
• Relax, for even if it your first time, the BB staff do this everyday!

Relax and enjoy the experience:) throwing another mistake out of contention.

Mistake 6. Not taking care of yourself while donating: Self care during donation may sound odd, but really there is a lot you can do to help yourself as you give out those drops of life.

• Lie down comfortably with muscles relaxed and legs uncrossed.
• Talk out if the prick hurts.
• Keep pressing the sponge ball.
• Do not panic by the sight of blood.

Be assured by doing this you are eliminating a big mistake that people make during donation.

Mistake 7. Not resting after donation: You are inviting trouble home by waking up too early after having donated. Lie down there for a good 10 minutes. This will ensure normalization of blood flow in the body and ensures your brain gets enough blood to control yourself.

The bed is yours till you want it! Keep your arms folded and before you wake up, get the staff to put a band aid at the donation area. A good rest ensures another wrong step not taken.

Mistake 8. Not consuming refreshments: Who would want to turn down a free glass of refreshing juice? You get a juice and biscuits. Take them. If not your mind, your body needs them. Your body feels replenished and gives you a feeling that everything is fine. This also helps elevate your sugar levels that you lose by donating blood. Allow your body to signal that there is no error made by you in taking the refreshments.

Mistake 9. Not taking care later: Having prepared yourself before donation, taken care of yourself during donation, you are bound by continuity to take care after too.

• Make sure you eat healthy and take in lots of fluids.
• Avoid smoking for next 2 hours.
• Avoid alcohol consumption for the remainder of the day.
• No heavy physical and strenuous activities for the next 24 hours.
• No heavy weight lifting for the remainder of the day.
• Avoid driving immediately. Take a gap of at least 30-40 mins between blood donation and driving.
• If in discomfort, inform. Call us on 9480044444.

Self care here is another threat nullified.

Mistake 10. Not telling others about your experience: Perhaps the biggest sin is not telling your friends and others about blood donation. Having yourself gone through those 30 minutes of a beautiful experience, it's time you tell others how you feel.Make sure others too get a feel of this, encourage and motivate them and guide them to not make the same mistakes that you avoided by following this guide!

Also in case you have any problems come back to us in case of any problems, give us your feedback. You can always reach us at sankalp.admin@gmail.com or 9880132850!