NZ Blood Keyrings

**Soul.Trader** · 17th February 2009, 19:39

LAst time I gave blood, I was given a keyring with my blood type on it. I didn't think much of it at the time, but while riding my bike tonight I saw the big red "Blood type O+" hanging from my keychain and realised that this is something every biker should have.

In a serious motorcycle accident, almost invariably blood is needed during treatment. I'm sure most of you keep your blood card in your wallet, and many of you probably write your blood type in your jacket. None the less, it doesn't hurt to have it one more place - especially somewhere that's always close to you when you crash. For riders carrying a pillion you could have two, and label one "him" and the other "her".

Anywho, thought it might be of some interest. Here's a couple of pics, sorry about the poor photography.

**Skyryder** · 17th February 2009, 19:43

Originally Posted by Soul.Trader

LAst time I gave blood, I was given a keyring with my blood type on it. I didn't think much of it at the time, but while riding my bike tonight I saw the big red "Blood type O+" hanging from my keychain and realised that this is something every biker should have.

In a serious motorcycle accident, almost invariably blood is needed during treatment. I'm sure most of you keep your blood card in your wallet, and many of you probably write your blood type in your jacket. None the less, it doesn't hurt to have it one more place - especially somewhere that's always close to you when you crash. For riders carrying a pillion you could have two, and label one "him" and the other "her".

Anywho, thought it might be of some interest. Here's a couple of pics, sorry about the poor photography.

Not a silly idea

Skyryder

**Highlander** · 17th February 2009, 19:44

They give the key rings out for your second donation.

They still have to test and give you the right blood though, the keys in your possession might not be yours. You could have been on my bike, I could have been on my wifes bike....

**McJim** · 17th February 2009, 19:50

I wonder how to go about finding out my blood type then?

I can't use the blood service in NZ coz they won't talk to me.

I can't get registered with a doctor coz they're all full.

I suppose I'd better just guess eh?

**Starky307** · 17th February 2009, 19:56

Don't F1 drivers have their blood type tattooed to their backsides?
Aparantly it's the lest likely place to loose all the skin or be burnt off. I think I read that somewhere but I may have just thought it up.

**Mully** · 17th February 2009, 20:08

Originally Posted by Highlander

They give the key rings out for your second donation.

Fuckers, they didn't give me one. I want all my blood back.

Although, my card is always in my wallet, which is more likely to be with me in the hospital than my bike keys if the worst happens.

**klingon** · 17th February 2009, 20:23

Interesting idea. I was a blood donor for years (in the days before they invented keyrings)

They don't want my blood any more, but I might just see if I can get myself a keyring...

**MadDuck** · 17th February 2009, 20:28

They wont take my blood as I was stupid enough to spend time in the UK in the late 80s early 90s. So I guess if I need some no key ring is going to help me.

**LardEmbargo** · 17th February 2009, 20:30

Originally Posted by Highlander

They still have to test and give you the right blood though

yeah, and if there's time to cross-match then they'll be able to give you the appropriate flavour based on the results. I'm guessing if they *do* have time then they'll go by cross-matching rather than details you've provided on anything you happen to be carrying, have tattooed on your butt or whatever, just to be sure.

If you've got particularly complicated blood then carrying something that says so might be an idea, but you might be best off with putting the information on something immediately recognisable to people doing the medic-ing - like a MedicAlert tag frinstance.

If there isn't time to do cross-matching (like, in an emergency after a nasty off) maybe they just give you O Negative? Universal donor and all that, best chance in a pinch.

**Patrick** · 17th February 2009, 20:32

Originally Posted by McJim

I wonder how to go about finding out my blood type then?

I can't use the blood service in NZ coz they won't talk to me.

I can't get registered with a doctor coz they're all full.

I suppose I'd better just guess eh?

A Scotsman GIVING blood???? Blardy funny.....

**Patrick** · 17th February 2009, 20:33

Originally Posted by MadDuck

They wont take my blood as I was stupid enough to spend time in the UK in the late 80s early 90s. So I guess if I need some no key ring is going to help me.

That'll be the mad cow disease... I thought you were OK...

**McJim** · 17th February 2009, 20:34

Originally Posted by Patrick

A Scotsman GIVING blood???? Blardy funny.....

It's coz I lived in blighty - they think I have mad cow's disease....mind you, I did pick a few of them up in the nightclubs in the 80s come to think of it....they may have a point...

**klingon** · 17th February 2009, 20:37

They don't want mine because I had cancer. Picky picky picky. Just one little tumour and they get all antsy about it...

**Highlander** · 17th February 2009, 20:41

Originally Posted by LardEmbargo

If there isn't time to do cross-matching (like, in an emergency after a nasty off) maybe they just give you O Negative? Universal donor and all that, best chance in a pinch.

If I remember my 6th form Human Bio correctly (and that was a LOT of years ago) O- they can give to anyone but any other blood type if they don't give you the same as what is already falling out of you it causes clotting - not just stop the leak clotting but stop the flow clotting.