Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine was caught drunk driving in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia and he was taken to the station. He said that they drew blood from him to measure his blood alcohol content. How is blood alcohol test being done and how does blood alcohol testing feel?

Matilda

Athens-Clarke County, GA

Since your friend already got arrested for DUI in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, police needed to measure his blood alcohol content to see if he was legally drunk when he was driving. Blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm and an elastic band is wrapped around the upper arm which may feel tight. During the drawing of blood sample, you could feel nothing at all from the needle or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.

A health professional draws the blood and would wrap an elastic band around the upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This would make the veins below the band larger so it would be easier to put a needle into the vein. Then, he/she would clean the needle site with a non-alcohol solution such as antiseptic soap or povidone-iodine. After that, the needle would be put into the vein and more than one needle stick may be needed. A tube will be attached to the needle to fill it with blood and then the band will be removed from the arm when enough blood is collected. Then a gauze pad or cotton ball will be put over the needle site as the needle is removed. Pressure will be applied on the site and then bandage will also be placed.

Tags: blood alcohol test, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer