NOTES

Some occupations/hobbies are a potential hazard to the donor post donation. Examples of hazardous occupations include: emergency service, train, HGV or bus drivers; heavy machine or crane operators; diver; climbing ladders or scaffolding, miners working underground. If involved in a potentially hazardous occupation, donors must be off duty when donating. Shift work is not a reason for deferral. A donor coming off shift work is eligible to donate but if a donor wants to donate prior to going on duty, a clinical decision is required based on the type of work that the donor does

Donors should not donate blood and perform a hazardous occupation or hobby on the same day

Donors must be advised not to participate in hazardous pursuits for the times stated below:

• Air Crew – Defer civil air crew if they are required to undertake flying duties in the next 24 hours. Donors who pilot aircraft as a hobby must be advised that 24 hours should elapse after blood donation before acting as a pilot of an aircraft
• Air traffic Controllers – Only accept as a donor at the end of their shift
• Taxi Drivers – If the donor has never donated before – Accept only if off duty. (However, if the donor has donated in the past without an adverse reaction – Accept, even if on duty)

Examples of hazardous hobbies include scuba diving, rock climbing, hang gliding, powered flying, and car or motorcycle racing. Donors training for or partaking in extreme challenges, i.e. marathons, triathlons etc., must be advised that their performance may be affected by donating. The donor can then make the decision to defer their donation if they wish

Appropriate post-donation advice must be given to the donor and documented on the HLQ

ACCEPT:

• Parachuting / Skydiving. However, donors must be advised to wait 90 days after donating to allow their Hb to recover, before skydiving again

DEFER ACTIVITY:

• Scuba Diving –for 24 hours post-donation
• Other activities – e.g. motor car/cycle racing, climbing, and mountaineering –defer activity until next day

SEE IF RELEVANT

• MARATHON RUNNING / COMPETITIVE RUNNING