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Step 1
Pick a rubber tubing tourniquet since these hold self tightening loops that can easily slip off the arm when done. This type is preferable due to the ease of use, but there are other types that can work just as well.
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Step 2
Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap and clean the injection area with alcohol or site specific antimicrobial swabs. This part of the procedure helps to decrease the rate of infection.
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Step 3
Tie the tourniquet around the arm so that the veins rise to the surface for easy view. This allows a choice of which veins are easiest to insert the needle into. If this is tied too tight, the more delicate veins can sustain damage, making them useless for your injection.
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Step 4
Insert the cannula or needle at a 45 degree angle into the vein. This will allow you to inject medication into the vein with the blood flow (towards the heart) and allow for best administration.
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Step 5
Pull back on the plunger after insertion into the vein to test for a flow of blood. If no blood is pulled back, then you need to remove the needle and try again as it is not in the vein. Blood that has a bright red color and is foamy is in the artery; remove the needle immediately.
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Step 6
Remove the tourniquet after inserting the needle into the vein or your vein might burst from pressure that builds up. Slowly push the plunger of the syringe to distribute the medication evenly. When done, pull out the needle and apply pressure to the area with a gauze pad.
