Giving blood - someone faints

[laurentwink]

What do the nurses shout out when someone faints?

[Panic Button]

Timber!

[laurentwink]

very funny! no its something like "code red" or something?

[johnlambert]

They dont shout anything, they woyuld simply put the faintee in the recovery position and carry out obs

[havinmysay]

funny u should say that my friend always faints, she is pregnant and had to have some bloods took yesterday luckiy she had them done at home and when she fainted the midwife were really shocked and was shouting her name and gently slapping her face

i fainted once when i were pregnant and getting out of the primark lift......how embarrasing

[4getmenot]

They dont they just let you lay down to recover, usually you're on the floor by that time anyway :-)

[laurentwink]

yes they do shout something to warn the other nurses. but i dont know what!

[Sasha13]

Do you mean faint (which is relatively minor and easily recovered from) or do you mean when a patient collapses due to something more serious??

[laurentwink]

when they minor collapse from giving blood like momentarly.

[Sasha13]

As far as I'm aware, they wouldn't shout out anything in particular.

[johnlambert]

I doubt they would shout, I was a 1st Aid Instructor, and I always taught my trainee's to be calm and I know that nurses get the same training. They would stay with the fainter, and try to get a response by speach and simple commands, if that fails, they would then try pain stimulli, the most effective is to pinch the earlobe.

[Panic Button]

They wouldn't need to shout. I have given blood umpteen times, and if you fainted standing up on the way to the tea it would be obvious.

They would just calmly raise your legs and do as John says.

[Panic Button]

Mind you, the recovery position would be a bit excessive John. That is for someone unconscious, not a simple faint!

[johnlambert]

Hence checking the level of response, there is always a reason for fainting, and although an adverse reaction would probably be the reason, one would never assume it. I agree with your legs up scenario, but I would *(did)* always check the patients airway wasnt compromised first

[Panic Button]

We are singing from the same hymn sheet

[steviep165]

"wasnt me!! i never touched him!!"

[redcrx]

"Wimp"?
"code 100 in aisle 3"?

I cant see that they would shout anything, perhaps if they are having difficulties and need assistance they may have a certain phrase they call to gain help

[crete]

anyone know first aid ???????

[crete]

johnlambert, has just made up a new word FAINTEE , i quite like it.

[Champagne]

It happened to me once while giving blood.

I'm not squeamish about that sort of thing at all, and watched the nurse take the blood from my arm. Got up and all was fine for a few seconds, then as I started walking I suddenly became woozy and lost my balance. I was just about to topple over but a nurse had already spotted me and quickly grabbed me and shuffled me over to a nearby bed.

I didn't actually lose consciousness but was very weak and light-headed. All I remember was feeling extremely cold but I was covered in sweat. Nurses came running and although there were only 2 looking after me, I could see an additional man and woman stooped over ready to act! One was monitoring my temperature while the other nurse applied a towel to my forehead and was talking to me. It only lasted a very short time and then I came round again and although she suggested I lay there for a while, I sat up and got my head together. Then they made me eat a lucozade tablet to raise my blood sugar levels and I was on my way!