If you are having trouble finding a vein, a tourniquet can be a useful piece of equipment for better shooting.
Tourniquets help slow the blood flow out of your arm. As you gently tighten the tourniquet around your arm, you increase the blood flow in your veins, therefore they stand out and are easier to see and feel.
But you can have too much of a good thing! Too much pressure from the tourniquet can restrict the underlying arteries. If the tourniquet is too tight it will not work as blood cannot flow in or out of your arm, and the benefits of using a tourniquet will be lost.
Secondly, you must release the tourniquet after you have inserted the needle into your vein, but before you inject. This is very important. Otherwise, you will create even more pressure in your vein, which is already high due to the pressure of the tourniquet. Losing your shot into surrounding tissue is bad news for you and your veins (and a waste!).
Finally, it’s wise to have your own personal tourniquet. Wash it regularly and never share it. Even the smallest bit of blood, not visible to you, could spread the hepatitis C virus. The usual rules apply — don’t share a bloody thing!
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