Giving blood

[Dave Abraham]

After a weekend dive trip my wife and I had booked an extra night in the hotel. After saying our goodbyes to the rest of the gang we retired to the bar where we met another diver and his wife. He had not been diving that week as they were on holiday together and wanted to spend the time together. We decided to book a table for four at the local curry house and off we went for our meal.

The poppadoms and starters were consumed without incident but half way through the main course the gentleman said he was going to the toilet. Shortly afterwards one of the waiters rushed to our table and told us our friend had collapsed outside.

We rushed to the door and helped him inside and sat him on a bench near the door. At that stage he was responsive but groggy and my first thought was heart attack or stroke but he didn't show signs of either. At that stage he took a turn for the worse, his head slumped onto his chest and he stopped breathing. I tapped his cheek a couple of times and called his name but he was now totally unresponsive and not breathing. I instructed one of the staff to call an ambulance and turned back to the patient. I lifted his head to open his airway and tapped his cheek and called his name again. I was just about to to move him to the floor and begin CPR when thankfully he took a breath and once again started to respond to my questions.

I held his head up to maintain the airway and monitored his pulse. He was still groggy and his breathing very shallow, his pupils were dilated but he was responsive and able to squeeze my hand weakly. Then the paramedics turned up and I handed over to them. During their primary assessment the patient once again slumped into a catatonic state and stopped breathing again. They rushed him into the ambulance and put him on O2 and a heart monitor but once again he started breathing after about 20 seconds. So he was whisked off to hospital.

The gentleman had a pre-existing medical condition of low blood pressure and had given blood earlier that day. The doctor summised that these two factors were the root cause but having the meal had prompted blood to be diverted to the stomach and the spices and beers had all contributed and caused a reduced blood supply to his brain.

A few hours later he was discharged from the hospital and we met him back at the hotel. He was visibly shaken but looked a lot better than he did as they put him in the ambulance. He was banned from alcohol for 2 days and told to take it easy. The following day he was back to normal but still only drinking water.

If this incident had happened underwater the consequences could have been very serious if not fatal. What I learned from this is if you are planning to give blood don't do it just before a dive trip. The effect is the same as dehydration so it will make you more vunerable to a bend. If your blood pressure drops you may go unconsious and risk drowning if your buddy doesn't spot the problem quickly.

I also learned that the EFR course is worth its weight in gold when faced with a situation like this. I didn't have to do very much, just alert the EMS and maintain the chaps airway but knowing I had the training to administer CPR if I had needed to was a very comforting feeling.

[Adrian Kelland]

Well done Dave.

[scuboo]

Well Done Indeed! That reminds me, my EFR needs renewing before November!

Glad to hear your friend was ok in the end!

[ShinyD]

I'm kinda surprised he was allowed to give blood with a pre-existing low blood pressure condition? I wasn't allowed to as I suffer occasional migraines and they told me giving blood can trigger one.

I have my EFR course booked at work for September 9th

[Dave Crampton]

Originally Posted by Southern_Dave

I'm kinda surprised he was allowed to give blood with a pre-existing low blood pressure condition? I wasn't allowed to as I suffer occasional migraines and they told me giving blood can trigger one.

I have my EFR course booked at work for September 9th

The problem with Giving Blood is its self certification, and most people convince themselves they are fine, contrary to Medical advice. Your usually questioned on the answers you have given but lieing is easy.



Well done Dave. Thumbs up.

[Eoin]

Well done that chap! Good to see that the EFR training helped in a situation like this.
I used to give blood, but now give platelets (and no, not small plates...). The question sheet is the same, but the blood checks are tighter. Low blood pressure would not let me donate, it just wouldn't work. Giving blood is easier, but the donor should know better than to try it with low BP. They are not helping.
My sister has low BP and tried to donate but fainted afterwards before she left the place.

[dry suit diver]

having more than a few pints the night before isn't good for you when giving blood either. contrary to what the nice vampires, sorry, little old ladies who stand outside say.

good work on the EFR. I have the whole 4 dayer to do in work soon as like a muppet I let my cert lapse.

[Frog]

Nice one, chamagne in honour of you this weekend.

[milldog]

Originally Posted by Dave Abraham

The gentleman had a pre-existing medical condition of low blood pressure and had given blood earlier that day. The doctor summised that these two factors were the root cause but having the meal had prompted blood to be diverted to the stomach and the spices and beers had all contributed and caused a reduced blood supply to his brain.


If this incident had happened underwater the consequences could have been very serious if not fatal. What I learned from this is if you are planning to give blood don't do it just before a dive trip. The effect is the same as dehydration so it will make you more vunerable to a bend. If your blood pressure drops you may go unconsious and risk drowning if your buddy doesn't spot the problem quickly.

I am sorry if this sounds bad it's not meant to be But i give blood and if i tell them I'm diving they wont allow me to give any,

But this is the best statement ever "If this incident had happened underwater the consequences could have been very serious if not fatal"

who in the diving area gives blood has a hot curry and then goes diving? it's like saying I got wazzed last night and drove home, passed out due to the booze and threw up .......luckly someone was there to put me on my side, "If this incident had happened underwater the consequences could have been very serious if not fatal"

Good for you to do the first aid bit but it's not really a diving issue

Graham

[Gav]

The position on diving is that they will defer a donation if you intend to dive within 24 hours. On my last two donations I remember seeing this point and being thankful I was diving 48 hours later!