Which Needle????
 

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[Closed] Which Needle????

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Ive decided I want to train as a doctor but am 15 so am a while off starting university. Ive been told that the more experience I can get as early as I can the better so after convincing my mother, I have a willing teacher and test dummy. She'll teach me to take blood by taking it from me and then I learn by doing the same to her. Then move onto my dad etc.
The problem is I don't have any needles lying about the house so what sort of needles do I want? and are there any other medical practices I can learn at home fairly safely?

cheers


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:07 pm
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(Gets comfy. Settles in for the rest of the afternoon)


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:13 pm
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This one is to stupid to run.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:15 pm
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head into town, you know those bushes round the back of argos that smell of wee and are full of empty DVD security boxes, you'll find loads of them scattered around on the floor.

They'll be free and you'll be recycling too.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:16 pm
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😯


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:16 pm
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Big Chief, most blood taking in hospitals & primary care is now done by nurses or trained phlebotomists. I really wouldn't waste your time practicing on your mum, it won't count for squat by the time you head for university interviews ("I know how to take blood, give me a place"). Good grades, good attendance, good supporting statement from school would be the right direction to go at the moment, unless mummy or daddy are already doctors in which case your place at medical school is a given.

I suppose if you did learn venepuncture on your mum, the next step would be catheterisation.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:18 pm
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😯 😆


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:20 pm
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[i]the next step would be catheterisation.[/i]

you're just taking the pee now.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:21 pm
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first thought... oh dear god!

second thought, be more constructive..

Med school applications want more than just the right grades (though you need the right grades) Too many doctors are super clever with books but thick with people, remember it is a patient based role. Rather than trying to learn clinical skills like canualtion/venapuncture try volunteering to work in a nursing home or for a group of adults with learning disabilities. Actual experience is worth a thousand words and working with people who can be difficult, over coming that and still wanting to do it is a big step.

At 15 its hard to give career advice (I wanted to be a doctor but ended up as a paramedic) because it will all change soon i'm sure.

but yeah, real patient experience is good, telling the interview board that you can take blood from your mum is bad!


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:21 pm
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its not particularly because it will mean anything for university etc. just I want to know and I can learn so why not? Its more for the sake of knowing than anything else


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:22 pm
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Lobotomy, or have you already tried?

If your Mum is prepared to show you, but she can't tell you what type of needles to use, she probably isn't the best person to show you. I'd wait until you get to med school and concentrate on getting a qualification in English (maybe Latin too)


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:23 pm
 toab
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Posted : 11/03/2011 4:24 pm
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they showed some medics practicing doign stitches on bananas on telly last week - might be a good place to start.

The consequences of you pushing air in not sucking blood out are fairly severe fro your mum.

Get a weekend job at an old peoples home - you'll learn a lot about 'patient' care and how to communicate with people and that'll stand you in good stead.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:25 pm
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because its dangerous, pointless and dangerous.

learn anatomy and physiology instead, more useful, more interesting, less dangerous, of greater benefit to man kind and wont maim/kill/hurt your mum.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:25 pm
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wwaswas - Member
the next step would be catheterisation.

you're just taking the pee now.

Indeed I am. 😆

But seriously @ the OP the idea of work experience or even paid work in a care environment will be of great help. Even volunteering at your local hospital or via the WRVS is a people job that would help. Most university courses, not just medicine etc, look at life skills now, Mrs MFL is a senior lecturer in education, and they use things like potential candidates having volunteered with reading groups in primary schools etc as a sign that the candidate is keener than those without such gumption.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:26 pm
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You could get experience by pretending you're a trainee paramedic and riding around in ambulances for four months.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-12702965


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:27 pm
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So, its fine for a medical student to learn how to do it but not for me? That doesn't make much sense ❓ I understand the basics of anatomy, physiology etc. and I'm not going to go jabbing away. Common sense is present me, (even if its often put to one side)


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:28 pm
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So, its fine for a medical student to learn how to do it but not for me?

Erm, yes, 'cos they are trained in controlled environments by qualified people

I understand the basics of anatomy, physiology etc

Erm, are you sure about that? http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-are-the-early-signs-of-injury


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:31 pm
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😯

Big Chief, I can guarantee you that if you mention that you'd practised drawing blood on your immediate family in an interview, you'll set off so many warning lights that a career as a doctor is a pipe-dream.

Medical students practice on patients, each other, and house mates who can be coerced into being a human pincushion in return for a pint.

A much more practical use of your time is to go on a first aid course. You'll learn some of the medical techniques that you're desperate to put into practice; it'll be useful in both the near and far term; and will definitely be helpful assuming you get a med school interview. Assuming.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:31 pm
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[i]Common sense is present[/i]

as above if someone is prepared to teach you but doesn't know what equipment to use then they're not doing to well in this department...

Medical students are trained and usually in a building where more epxert care is immediately available - you won't be either of these things.

weekend job at an abattoir, maybe, if you're determined to draw blood?

failing that - care home to learn how to communicate - that's a far more difficult skill to acquire.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:32 pm
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sod it, 20gauge ACF on non primary limb, flashback, advance, retract, panic, blood everywhere, mum feels feint, carpet ruined, can't stop the bleeding, hypovolemia, LOC, head injury, GCS3, cyanosis, bradycardia/apnoea, ambulance called, Saline/adrenaline/atropine (by old guidelines) CPR, Intubation, ventilation, rapid extrication. Conveyence utilising exemptions as appropriate, ASHICE to receiving A&E. Resus ready, transfusions. Recovery, infection, blood clot, hypoxic brain injury, lifetime of care.

Let the good times roll, if you understood all of that, then dig away, whats the worst that can happen?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:36 pm
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[i]20gauge ACF on non primary limb, flashback, advance, retract, panic, blood everywhere, mum feels feint, carpet ruined, can't stop the bleeding, hypovolemia, LOC, head injury, GCS3, cyanosis, bradycardia/apnoea, ambulance called, Saline/adrenaline/atropine (by old guidelines) CPR, Intubation, ventilation, rapid extrication. Conveyence utilising exemptions as appropriate, ASHICE to receiving A&E. Resus ready, transfusions. Recovery, infection, blood clot, hypoxic brain injury, lifetime of care.[/i]

you're just trying to make it sound all complicated now, anyway he only needs to do steps 1-5 😉


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:38 pm
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-She thinks 24 gauge but it was 25 years ago so she's not 100% sure.
-The grades should be achievable with the correct amount of work put in.
-Communication with people is pretty good but I live 5 minutes walk away from a hospice so volunteer work is there and will definitely be done.
-Yes I understand it can be dangerous, yes I understand things can go wrong but thats just a risk my mother is willing to take, unlike a lot of people on here, she does actually trust me and my judgement


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:41 pm
 SamB
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thats just a risk my mother is willing to take

😯


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:45 pm
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I was wrong đŸ˜„


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:47 pm
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😯 and 😯 again!


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:47 pm
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I thought this was a wind up based on [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-on-here-tried-heroine ]this[/url]. 😕


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:48 pm
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[i]unlike a lot of people on here, she does actually trust me and my judgement[/i]

mothers do tend to have a bit of a blindspot where their own children are concerned.

So, to clarify - your mum's going to teach you a technique she last used 25 years ago, has no idea what current best practice is and can't even remember what equipment she used when she last did it?

As above, what could possibly be wrong with this scenario?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:48 pm
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[img] [/img]

Sorry couldn't resist


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:48 pm
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What are the implications long term for a 15 year old on a manslaughter charge?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:50 pm
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is matricide where you kill a bed?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:50 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:51 pm
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15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a mechanic and says, "My dad used to be a mechanic, I've been helping him restore an old car" = Teachers will be impressed by his enthusiasm.

15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a builder and says, "My dad used to be a builder, I've been helping him build an extension on our house" = Teachers will be impressed by his enthusiasm.

15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a doctor and says, "My mum used to be a doctor and we've been practising on each other with needles" = Seriously big chief, what do you think they're going to say ?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 4:59 pm
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The point isn't to go a shout it out loud to people, its for my personal interest and curiosity. If I get an interview it wont be, Hi, I'm George, I stick needles in my Mother. 🙄


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:02 pm
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so you want experience to increase your chances of getting on a course but you won't tell anyone about any experience you do gain in this area in case it puts them off you/results in a criminal conviction?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:04 pm
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OP do you kill kittens in your basement?
I think you do.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:07 pm
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i never said it was to help me get on a course...... I said the more experience I can get the better, nothing about helping me get on a course. Experience for my sake not Mr X who is interviewing me


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:09 pm
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[i]its for my personal interest and curiosity[/i]

You should exercise that interest and curiosity in the proper environment - seriously. You get to be good at venepuncture by repeated practice on [b]many individual (and different) patients[/b] - not your mum!!!

If you are keen on med school, get a job as a health care assistant (as soon as you are old enough). In acute (hospital) environments, HCAs and medical assistants are often trained-up to undertake this kind of thing - which is valuable experience for med students.

But until that point... step away from your mother! Unless this is some mega-trolling...


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:11 pm
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ok...if this isn't a troll then I suggest the following;

Combine some of these...

[img] [/img]

With some of these...

[img] [/img]

Then strap your Mum to one of these...

[img] [/img]

...and fire away.

He's even got the right outfit on.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:18 pm
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can someone explain what 'trolling' is?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:22 pm
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Have you thought about joining St John's ?
Not only do you get proper training, you get in to bike races, pop concerts, village fĂȘtes and all sorts of other places for free.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:23 pm
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[img] [/img]

There is no way anyone on earth is REALLY going to think that trying to learn how to take blood from a relative is going to help towards a career in medicine, and even less chance that an adult is going to allow someone to try it out on them. And even less chance that a 15 year old won't know what trolling is, or be able to use google to find out. And if they can't do that, I don't think we should be encouraging them towards medicine.

Dear god people, stop feeding.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:23 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:26 pm
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[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:29 pm
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I'm just trying to remember how stupid I was when I was 15, thinking I could learn to gas weld by practice alone with no supervision. What could possibly go wrong ? Luckily, nothing did.

Big chief, show this thread to your mum and get her to tell us why she thinks it's a good idea.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:29 pm
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I can't believe Bev actually agreed to this. All that IT nonsense has made her brain soft!


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:42 pm
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A Dr speaking. Don't bother. It is a really silly idea. We can train almost anyone to do it. If you can stomach any medical program on channel 5 you will be fine. No need to practice now. If you told anyone at interview, or during your training what you had done they would thing you were really weird...

And if you are trolling you have to ask yourself what your feelings for you mother [i]really[/i] are. 😉


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:53 pm
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'm just trying to remember how stupid I was when I was 15, thinking I could learn to gas weld by practice alone with no supervision. What could possibly go wrong ? Luckily, nothing did

Probably less than here 🙂 It's be concerning if I thought it were real.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 5:55 pm
 DezB
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I reckon your mum is like mine - former nurse, loves and misses the medical stuff, a bit mad... Still at least she would stop at squeezing a few spots at home. Just offer her your teenaged back and enjoy.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:16 pm
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I think big chief 96 will almost get his wish to come true in the future. I believe he will spend a lot of his time in the hospital but maybe not the way he intends to. I've never heard anything more ridiculous. This must be a joke. Someone should prevent him posting.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:31 pm
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I think big chief 96 will almost get his wish to come true in the future. I believe he will spend a lot of his time in the hospital but maybe not the way he intends to. I've never heard anything more ridiculous. This must be a joke. Someone should prevent him posting.

If someone actually thought this was a good idea I don't think they would have the mental capacity to operate a door let alone a computer...and on that basis - this is a troll.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:40 pm
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I think we're missing the real issue here, which is,

Doesn't anyone else think that the pic CountZero posted is pretty hot?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:46 pm
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Yep, if she'd just bend over I'd be happy to give her an inje....


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:48 pm
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Doesn't anyone else think that the pic CountZero posted is pretty hot?

Looks like a junior ward sister I used to know. She was terrifying.

I wish these models would dispense with the bonnets, though. Makes me think of ITV's [i]The Royal[/i].


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:50 pm
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syringe full of iodine? She can clean the gravel out of my leg anytime!


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:51 pm
 Olly
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[img] [/img]
/p>

DING DONG!

(beaten to it)


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:51 pm
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I recognise that girl Olly...


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 6:52 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 7:13 pm
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I fail to see how not being a sad arse sitting inside playing on the computer learning how the stupid machine works has any indication on my capabilities.

((I think its a large group of middle aged men who should actually be out riding bikes or doing something more productive who should be reviewing their capabilities, not a young lad who's interested in certain areas and when he tries to pursue gets a lot of negative feedback and some comments that really aren't supporting at all. From a simple question, (that no-one has actually answered) some people have been helpful but a large majority seem to be out to make things difficult. I just don't get the problem))

And druidh, how do you know my mum?


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 9:49 pm
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Well, Luke......


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 9:55 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 11:03 pm
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From a medically based family: please don't do it.

The risks far outweigh the perceived but realistically irrelevant advantages. My uncle who has been a surgeon for some time laughed and said "most med students nowadays can't place a needle properly". It's not a skill that's going to help you in the short or medium term.

I'm a computer engineer and common sense kicked in and I thought: "sounds pretty dense to me"....


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 11:40 pm
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I was told when I got diagnosed diabetic to practice on an orange. So based on that I'd recommend a needle that's not longer than the thickness of an orange, otherwise you're going to stab yourself. Either that, or a really big orange.


 
Posted : 11/03/2011 11:46 pm
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Erm, have people really still not worked this out yet?? 😕

Doesn't surprise me that folk off a really crap forum with about 12 registered users, and only 2 or 3 online at any one time, come on here to troll for their amusement...

Still, they're not that bright, most of 'em. And cursed with acute constipation, too. Poor sods. 🙁


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:02 am
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to be fair, I answered the question...


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:04 am
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Elfinsafety - Member
Erm, have people really still not worked this out yet??

Doesn't surprise me that folk off a really shit forum with about 12 registered users, and only 2 or 3 online at any one time, come on here to troll for their amusement...

Still, they're not that bright, most of 'em. And riddled with constipation, too. Poor sods.

Wot are you on about now?


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:06 am
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You know exactly what I'm on about Onion. Don't play Dumb. You, at least, are a bit brighter than some of the others...

Fancy a scone?

[img] [/img]

How d'you pronounce it up there, as in 'stone', or 'gone'?


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:09 am
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In fairness Elfin (and I know you're just enjoying the wind up) isn't it a bunch of mates that don't want to be chatting about their lives with thousands of lurkers watching?

Fair play to them I say.


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:11 am
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I recommend plenty of fruit, Yeti. Helps keep one regular, all that roughage.


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:14 am
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He shoots.
.
.
.
.
.
He misses - by some way actually.

The OP has absolutely nothing to do with mleh - and if you paid more attention to what other folk on this forum posted instead of being absorbed in your own little self-important bubble, you'd have realised that already.


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:15 am
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Who mentioned Mleh? Whatever that is...

😆

[img] [/img]

Back of the net...


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 12:17 am
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Northwind - Member
I was told when I got diagnosed diabetic to practice on an orange. So based on that I'd recommend a needle that's not longer than the thickness of an orange, otherwise you're going to stab yourself. Either that, or a really big orange.

Kiwi fruit nowadays. Or just on another human without injecting the insulin (under appropriate supervision).


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 11:59 am
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I think you should look seriously at veterinary medicine; particularly male cows?

(not sacred cows; there's quite enough of those on here already!!) 😆


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 1:04 pm
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If the OP is serious then I really hope he changes his career plans before he starts this pointless exercise.

Would be far better to read medical books and see if you can get hospital experience. Inserting needles will be 0.000000001% of the things you learn at uni and the risks of doing it will far outweigh any experience. And as already mentioned, if you go to your Uni interview saying you did this to get experience they will no be offering you a place. Psychos on medicine courses don't go down well.


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 7:32 pm
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Psychos on medicine courses don't go down well.

Unless it's dentistry ?

There's got to be a little bit of the "psycho" in every dentist.....otherwise how could they do their job ?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 7:47 pm
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Surely there're loads of Dr's that are nutters...

Dr Spock
Dr Shipman
Dr Mengele
Dr Doolittle

Those are just the first names that came off the top of my head... bet there're loads more.


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 7:50 pm
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big cheif, i am 18 so fairly close range of age.

I currently gibe blood and cab see how it goes wrong, if you place the needle wrongly you can damage nerves within the arm or puncture the vein on both sides causing a bleed out when the needle is retracted, you would need to make sure the needle is beyond sterile and this can only be achieved by straight out of packet needle use combined with the alcoholhol 1 minute wipe on the arm area to avoid infection.

I am currently a first aider (st johns trained) and a trained lifeguard. and from this point of view it is a silly idea. I would hate to be a repsonder to some poor lad who's tried to take blood from his mother and find her unconscious with a large amount of blood loss and you going mental trying to sort the situation especially with a used needle in the immediate area.

The largest risk is you making a small error and your mum dying from blood loss.

I Would advise you go to st johns ambulance and get training, and also attend a give bloos session ( whilst you can only give blood from 17 you could get your mum to give blood and you to watch, i'm sure the nurses would be more than happy to show you and talk you through it, and if you attend for a while they may even get you on the course. Also volunteer at a care home, and when you get to 16 do your pool lifeguard course! two of my friends have done the course, one is at university studying to be a doctor and the other a paramedic!

Also if you openly use needles and you want to give blood no one will take you if they find out you and your mum used to practice on each other, the risk for getting hep b and c and tetanus would be amazingly high!

also if you did get this experience and the doctors found out you wouldn't get near the course based upon inconsiderate and dangering actions and they would see you as a risk to others on courses or patients.

If you didn't mention it and do become a doctor and some body were to find out you would get taken of the medical list and fined a hefty sum!


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 7:56 pm
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The largest risk is you making a small error and your mum dying from blood loss.

I'm sure big chief will manage fine, as soon as he's worked out "what size needle" to use ....

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 8:04 pm
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HOw about this one...

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 8:05 pm
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southern yeti - i live near there 😀


 
Posted : 12/03/2011 8:08 pm
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