Do you know your blood type?

[RoJoHen]

And if so, why do you know?

It seems like something potentially important to know, but I've never been in a situation where anyone would be able to tell me.

 

[Jetfire]

I have no clue.

I really need to find this out though.

 

[Jetfire]

I don't know why that double posted???

 

[Roger Wilco]

Yes, I donate blood regularly, A+.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Its been a while since i gave blood but i have no idea what type i have, its red though if that's any help.

 

[T'Baio]

Where I come from, they check the blood of every kid going into public school and give you a little wallet card that says your blood type on it. So yeah, I know. Everyone I know, knows.

 

[Jetfire]

^
Isn't blood blue until oxygen hits it?

I am not sure how that works.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I'm pretty sure (human) blood is always red.

 

[RoJoHen]

^
Isn't blood blue until oxygen hits it?

I am not sure how that works.

Oh, ya know, chemical reactions and whatnot.

 

[David cgc]

^
Isn't blood blue until oxygen hits it?

I am not sure how that works.

That's a misconception. Blood is darker when it isn't oxygenated, and bright red when it is. The idea that blood is blue absent oxygen comes from the fact that the veins, which take deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs, are blue.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm pretty sure (human) blood is always red.

Look at your veins. Most of them are blue. The blood usually doesn't turn red until it reacts with oxygen.

That said, a lot of your blood is indeed red.

 

[Jetfire]

As long as it doesn't come out green or something I am good.

 

[Marten]

I have no clue.

I really need to find this out though.

I have heard that it's safer to test blood from a patient rather than taking the chance that they remember correctly. Anybody who can confirm or deny that?

 

[Rii]

A+

I donate blood sporadically. That is to say, the appointments are sporadic.

 

[RoJoHen]

I almost donated blood once, until I found out there was a 4-hour wait at the facility. It probably would have been a bad idea. I'm starting to get nauseous just from this thread. Why the hell did I start it?

 

[Roger Wilco]

I have heard that it's safer to test blood from a patient rather than taking the chance that they remember correctly. Anybody who can confirm or deny that?

As far as I know, doctors always test a patient before giving him a blood transfusion. It's simple enough anyway.

 

[opali]

And if so, why do you know?

It seems like something potentially important to know, but I've never been in a situation where anyone would be able to tell me.

O positive; I'm a common little critter.
I've donated. But also, when a woman is going to give birth she learns all kinds of things about herself that she never imagined.
One of those is blood type.

 

[Rii]

I almost donated blood once, until I found out there was a 4-hour wait at the facility. It probably would have been a bad idea. I'm starting to get nauseous just from this thread. Why the hell did I start it?

Whenever I'm in the process of donating blood I have this irrational fear that the muscles in my arm are going to tense of their own accord, with Unpleasant Consequences™. I usually try and read a book.

 

[Deckerd]

O neg

 

[Yeoman Randi]

I donate regularly, so I know that I am type O.

BTW, donating really is no big deal. There are shortages right now due to the situation in Haiti, so now is a good time to donate.