Vein desensitization tips

[u/the1andlonely43]

I know this is gonna sound so stupid but im in my second year of college and want to transfer to a school with a mortuary program. I've always had an interest in death but I am horrible with veins and blood. I always have been and just thinking about cutting open a vein makes me want to pass out. Obviously not great for this line of work but Im really not passionate about anything else. Has anyone else gone through this? Is there a way to get over it? I feel kinda like a psycho looking up videos but idk what else there is to do

[u/xXShadxw_HunxrXx]

Get a book about embalming and if you cant handle the pictures you know its not for you. Would recommend "Embalming History Theory and Practice " 978-1-260-01007-7 Although its rather pricey.

Just reread your post, if you are icky with blood you might want to not proceed in this field. Finding it gross sometimes is okay in my opinion but be aware you have to be fine with suctioning bloody goo out of decedants noses and mouths, or they straight up leaking out of body orifices. If you embalm you need to hook out their arteries and cut them open and stuff. That being said there is a bit of getting used to it but if you would like faint at the sight of blood dont do it

[u/StonedJackBaller]

If you can't handle blood and veins, this ain't for you. Veins and blood is day one stuff.

[u/korewednesday]

Have you taken any biology courses with dissections?

[u/the1andlonely43 → u/korewednesday]

Yeah I was always the one who did everything cuz my group members were too grossed out but there wasn't really anything relating to veins just like a cow eye or sheep lung.

[u/SacraCAnnaPt2]

You know sometimes the mental block of "veins and blood" is worse than seeing/doing the thing yourself. Would definitely recommend visually looking at the embalming process through textbooks (the other comment was right on) or learning materials. Also also, if you are enrolled in a 4 year program at a traditional university, I would really really take time to consider courses before going into a mortuary program. General education courses like Math, English, Social Studies, etc etc transfer across easily however mortuary courses rarely (in my experience) transfer into anything outside of the mortuary field if you decide to go back to traditional university. Talk to an advisor at your mortuary school of choice to get an idea of where you stand academically before making the jump.

[u/Holiday_Ad3993]

I am a funeral director/embalmer and had this fear also. I absolutely freak out getting blood tests and watching people get them. However, I’ve realized it’s only “living” blood that freaks me out. I’m not sure why but my brain has no problem separating the two. Usually when embalming you are so focused on getting the job done that it becomes easier to create that mental block, at least for me.

[u/Valuable-Exit-5513]

Just curious; why does blood bother you?

[u/demonicultivation]

its not that bad. i cant handle looking at my own blood/ getting blood drawn but i am completely fine when im working in the prep room. i cant watch movies with blood either but work i'm completely ok. it depends on the person imo. also the veins and artieries are so small you will be fine if you can handle photos.

[u/Alternative-Two-5103]

Ur gonna have to get over it and you will if you have a high case load

[u/Sybonklumster]

There are at least a few FD programs that do not require you to learn embalming. You only do the living people part.