Blood donation

[kelpmermaid]

Just wondering if you medical sorts had any feed back on red blood cell generation after blood donation? I understand that the fluids are replenished fairly quickly, but after donating earlier this week, I found that I could not re-warm after two dives in cool water (59-62F.) Could it be related?

 

[large_diver]

KM,

Not a definitive answer, but I asked some questions about donating blood and diving here a few mnoths ago -- this might help get you started.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=1476

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi kelpmermaid,

Depends upon the individual, but it can take up to 8 weeks or more to replace the entire red cell mass lost to donation. Typically, however, by 7-14 days this mass will be substantially replenished for functional purposes.

The most important matter for a return to diving is replacement of lost fluid volume, and that usually is complete by 24 hours post-donation. A very conservative wait would be 72 hours.

You do not say how long it was between your donation & diving, and do not comment on whether or not it is unusual for you to have difficulty warming after several dives in 59F-62F water. However, if the two events were close in time, and the warming delay was atypical, then, yes, the donation may have contributed something.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such. Contact your physician if you feel there is a medical problem.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo