How much is in a blood bag?

Have you ever been curious about how much blood is in a blood bag? Well, buckle up because we are diving deep into this bloody topic.

First things first, let’s define what a blood bag actually is.

What is a Blood Bag?

A blood bag is essentially a plastic pouch that contains human blood and anticoagulants to prevent clotting. These bags come in different sizes depending on the amount of blood being collected or transfused.

Now that we know what a blood bag actually is, let’s get down to the real question…

How Much Blood Is In A Blood Bag?

Drum roll please…the typical amount of whole-blood volume in one standard-sized blood donation bag (specifically in Canada) measures approximately 450 mL! That may not sound like too much but keep reading, it gets “juciier.”

To put that into perspective for those who aren’t metric system savvy: 450mL = ~15 fl oz = just under 2 cups. It still may not seem like an adequate amount until you consider that according to pinkbike.com, your stomach only has ~50mL – ~1000mL before properly digesting food; otherwise known as gastric capacity (you’re welcome for letting you know that juicy bit). So by donating 1 unit of full-blown sunburst-plasma colored life liquid… Uh (quick mental math here)…You’ve technically donated enough plasma/solids/whatever type deemed acceptable/etc.,to fill anywhere between approxiamteley half-a-to-two/fifths-of your average guzzling beer mug.

The actual volume, however….well there’s more where this came from!

While one single standard-sized donation typically holds roughly less than 500 milliliters of blood, that bag can actually make its way through multiple tests and screenings to separate it into various parts for transfusions:

  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
  • Plasma
  • Platelets

Now what?

Red Blood Cells

A centrifugation process is conducted first to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. Which results in about a quarter of plasma by volume.

ahem
Possible ingredients in this stage include, but are not limited to:

  • A tube-like machine known as a “centrifuge”
  • Plastic separating kit
    • packed with:
      • Big comfy needles!
      • attached tubes equipped with twist-cap thingies on each end!

### Plasma

When you think about donating blood, you may imagine what happens directly after; such as how it gets pumped back into someone’s vein… Pretty metal stuff if you ask me… BUT, did you wonder why they don’t just grab a bucket or some Tupperware? Well, let me tell ya…

One juicy part shouldn’t spoil.. So Instead of giving patients complete units of whole blood; where all components being donated would be included without separation — one’s pumping heart knows what its doing so typically keeps RBC levels pretty well sustained – they opt for fractioning out the assortment’s primary essentials such as…platelLemmeJustSkipEverthingBut1LET-Smallet counts and plasma.

Keeping that salivation-teasing comment in mind– when focusing solely on receiving donor-derived plasma— Each donation bag holds somewhere between ~250 mL to ~300mL!!

Stop right there! Before we move forward I’m sure y’all have heard all about COVID vaccines circulating at present during which time potential candidates must provide update medical history screening questions related to any recent vaccinations. Now, what if while donating blood we were also up-to-date and want to give-back to the community in ways unmeasurable? Currently our society (in reference to Canada; however other countries will have there own servicing system) has implemented guidelines set forth by an organization known as Intrisinc Biologics — Screening Questionnaire for Donor Centres BUT good news! There is now authorized administering of Modena’s COVID-19 Vaccine(s) suitability!

Here are some fun bullet points with info from the aforementioned screening section:

  • According to Blood.ca #Ironblooddonors , individuals who perform iron-restricted diets must still have adequate iron reserves.
    • Adequate levels involve proven-backed optimal patient health
      (Whereby a form of solid proof would include one’s hemoglobin count)
      To elaborate further:
      The storage protein required for carrying oxygen within RBC thereby enhancing potential impact on recipients ability
      metabolism= optimized donation

So if you have been eating strictly chicken nuggets every day between 2pm and 3pm with a side of frosting but believe it’s not actually unhealthy because they’re “boneless”…maybe cut that out for at least a-day or two prior.

‘Recent’ (strongly implies relatively soon) vaccination eligibility requirements per vaccine given can range anywhere from 24 hours right up until fourteen days detailed our medical history screening questionnaires upon arrival. These COVID vaccines provide yet-another path towards doing your part when combating against this designated shifty virus by ensuring access too clean sources regardless whoever may either receive transfusional components or donate themselves realizing many critical mentalities formed on trending issues all undergoing regular revisions based on evidence-based research.

Platelets

Finally, platelets are separated through another process called apheresis which results in roughly 60 to 70 milliliters of platelets per bag.

If your lips are parched after all these fun facts and figures, take a sip from one of those half-a-to-two/fifths-of-your-average beer mugs, sit back, and let that juicy knowledge sink in.

Now you can finally tell everyone at parties exactly how much blood is in a blood bag (you’re welcome).

In conclusion, the amount of blood in a standard-sized donation bag is around 450 mL. But through centrifugation and apheresis, this single donation can be separated into different components such as RBCs, plasma, and platelets. So next time someone asks about the contents of a blood bag–tuck chin down with back straightened being sure to establish eye contact..Then spread arms out whilst grinning ear-to-ear expressing confidently “Oh easy! Roughly half-a-to-two fifthsOfAStandardBeerMug’s worth.”

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