The RVCA Guide to Safer Bloodletting
Introduction
This guide is a summary of techniques and precautions as expressed by the members of the RVCA since 1998. Some of the information included in this guide comes from the websites of reputable medical organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Mayo Clinic.
First and foremost, educate yourself about diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. These diseases are treatable but are not curable. They are usually fatal. Other diseases such as colds, syphilis, and chlamydia are curable but are no less important when dealing with blood or other bodily fluids. Acquiring as much information as possible about how these diseases are transmitted and how they affect the human body is the only responsible course of action. There are many resources available on the Web, or you can contact your local Health Department for more information.
Get Ready, Get Set
Before entering into a relationship with a donor, both of you should get tested for blood-borne diseases. You can do this through your local health department or any number of free or low-cost health clinics. If you are not in a monogamous relationship with your donor both sexually and in feeding, both of you should continue to get tested at least every six months. The RVCA encourages monogamy as the safest option for both vampires and donors but we know this isn't always possible or desirable for both participants. So we've tried to include as many safeguards in this article as possible.
There are certain times when feeding is inappropriate. These include but are not limited to: when you or your donor have a cold or flu, if either or you are taking any sort of medication, if you have a cold sore, fever blister, canker sore, gingivitis, or any other condition that causes bleeding gums or open sores in or around the mouth. If your donor has been tattooed or pierced recently, we advise waiting until these have healed so as not to overtax the donor's immune system. We also caution you against feeding from a donor that is intoxicated by alcohol or other drugs. Alcohol thins the blood, as does aspirin and other substances, and can lead to uncontrolled blood loss.
Once both you and your donor have tested negative for disease, it is important to select the right tools for the job. Always use sterile (i.e. new) instruments when feeding from a new donor for the first time or if you feed from multiple donors. If you're in a monogamous relationship with your donor, you can reuse your instruments but you should still sterilize them with heat and/or an antiseptic. Depending on your preferences and those of your donor, you may choose disposable scalpels, straight razor blades or lancets such as those used by diabetics to test blood sugar levels. There are pros and cons for each that we'll discuss a bit later. We don't recommend using Xacto (TM) or similar knives as they are difficult to sterilize. Neither do we recommend using larger blades such as daggers or hunting knives because they are more difficult to control. The last thing you want to do is try to explain to an ER doctor how you got that cut that's requiring a dozen stitches.
Before you begin, you should prepare a first-aid kit. Include antiseptic mouthwash, antibacterial ointment or spray for after care, Band-Aids or another brand of sterile bandages for punctures and small cuts, nonstick, sterile gauze pads and medical tape for larger wounds and latex gloves. You should also purchase one or more puncture resistant plastic containers to dispose of your sharp instruments or to store them for sterilization later. You can get these from medical suppliers. Take this kit with you if there is even the slightest chance you might feed. Like the Boy Scouts, you should always be prepared. We also advise taking a class in basic first aid in case of accidents. Learn as much as you can about anatomy so you'll know where the major veins and arteries are and be able to avoid them.
Choosing whether to use blades or lancets is up to each individual. Lancets are meant to be used on fingertips and are probably the safest option. They can be adjusted to control the depth of skin penetration. Unfortunately, the puncture isn't deep and tends to close quickly so you won't get as much blood as you might using a blade. Scalpels, razor blades and knives make deeper incisions and can net more blood. On the down side, it is much easier to cause serious injury to your donor using any sort of blade. They are also more likely to leave scars. Some people like to use lancets to make cuts in the skin. They feel there is less potential for inflicting major damage on their donors using this method. The major drawback is that cuts made in this manner are very likely to leave scars because they have jagged edges instead of the smooth edges of an incision. They also take longer to heal so the risk of infection is higher.
Never, under any circumstances, should you use a hypodermic needle and syringe to draw blood unless you are a trained and certified medical professional.
Salutations, Snack
Once you and your donor have chosen the instrument you'll use to draw blood, the safest option is to let your donor do the cutting or puncturing. Unless you are in the medical profession and your donor has signed a consent form, puncturing or cutting someone can be considered assault. Jail sucks and not in a good way. Also, your donor is better able to gauge how deep to cut without overdoing it if you opt for blades. When using blades, choosing the right area of the body to cut is very important. It's best to select a fleshy area without any major veins or arteries close to the skin's surface. The neck and wrists are obviously not good choices. A good rule of thumb to follow is the pinch test. If you can pinch at least an inch of flesh in the chosen area, it's probably safe. It's also wise to choose an area of the body that will not be easily seen in case the wound scars.
Once you've picked the right spot, clean the area thoroughly using mild soap and warm water. Using antibacterial soap or alcohol pads to sterilize the area is not necessary. They do nothing to protect either of you from any virus you may be harboring and most bacteria found on skin does not cause disease. Several minutes of vigorous scrubbing with soap and warm water is sufficient to remove any surface bacteria. Alcohol pads and antibacterial soaps can leave an unpleasant aftertaste and overuse of antibacterial products leads to antibiotic resitant strains of bacteria.
The RVCA advises you not to drink directly from the wound. The human mouth harbors a disgusting amount of bacteria. Putting your mouth directly over an open wound is an excellent way to introduce harmful bacteria into your donor's bloodstream. It's better to let the blood flow away from the wound and then lap it up or put it in a shot glass or other container and drink from that. However, we recognize that some people enjoy the practice of direct feeding so we have included the following precautions:
If you make the choice to drink directly from your donor, first rinse your mouth with Listerine or another antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria. Brushing your teeth immediately before feeding is not advised because it leaves microscopic abrasions on the gums. It is possible for a virus or bacteria to enter your body through these scratches.
If you are reusing your instruments, boil them in distilled water for at least 20 minutes. If you don't have access to a stove or microwave, you can heat them using a lighter. However, the RVCA does not recommend using this technique because of the carbonization that occurs when metal contacts open flame. Put on the latex gloves, pinch the skin gently and make your incision. If you choose lancets, set the guard to the desired depth and pierce the skin using a quick jab. With blades, an X-shaped cut works well. It does not close quite as quickly so you can get more blood though the wound itself is rather small. This also helps to reduce scarring. Try to make shallow cuts. You can always cut deeper if you need to but if you cut too deep, you're screwed.
Post Op
After feeding, clean the area around the wound with soap and water. Don't get soap in the cut or puncture; it can cause irritation. Gently pat dry. Apply the antibacterial ointment or spray, and cover with a bandage. Dispose of your sharps in the appropriate container and discard the latex gloves. You're done. We hope you find this guide informative and helpful. Happy hunting!
