Preparation before donating blood
· Donors must get enough sleep the day before donating blood
· Donors must be in excellent health and not taking any antibiotics
· Donors must eat prior to donating.Donors must refrain from eating high cholesterol food such as steamed rice with chicken, coconut milk, fried and sweet food, etc. These foods will make the color of the plasma turn into a blurry, opaque white, whichcannot be used.
· Donors must drink 3-4 glasses of water followed by fruit juice, milk, and sweet drinks to increase the amount of blood flow in the body. It will also help protect side effects after the donation such as weariness and dizziness.
· Refrain from drinking alcohol 24 hours prior to donating blood.
· Refrain from smoking before and after donating blood for 1 hour so the lungs can produce good blood.
During the donation
· Donors are advised to wear a shirt that doesn’t have tight sleeves and can fold up above the elbow 3 inches.
· Choose the arm where the Black blood vein is clearly visible. This way, the blood will be able to flow constantly into the bag. The area of the skin that is punctured should not have rashes or bruises. If you are allergic to the antiseptic like alcohol, please inform the nurses.
· Donors must be calm, not afraid, or scared.
· Donors must not chew gum or candy while donating blood.
· During the donation of blood, donors should squeeze the rubber ball constantly to let the blood flow. If donors have abnormal conditions such as dizziness, symptoms of fainting, numbness, please inform the nurses in the area.
· After donating blood, rest on the bed DO NOT IMMEDIATELY GET OFF because this may cause dizziness that can lead to fainting. Rest for a while until you feel better then consume food and drinks provided.
After the donation
· Donors are advised to drink the water provided and drink more water than usual for one day.
· Donors must refrain from going into saunas or exercising that produces a lot of sweat. Donors are also advised to reduce the work use of the arm that was punctured for 12 hours after donation.
· Donors must not rush to get up, please rest until you are sure that you are normal again. If there is any dizziness or symptoms of fainting, please inform the nurses immediately.
· Do not be surprised if blood comes out of the puncture wound. Use your other hand to press down on the bandage, put pressure and lift the arm up high for 3 to 5 minutes. If blood is still coming out, please see the doctor or the nurses.
· Donors must refrain from climbing up to high places.
· Donors are advised to consume food with iron and take the medications given once a day until finished.