Draw blood without tourniquet and fist clenching. If a tourniquet must be used, do not release it during the collection. DO NOT introduce air into the syringe. Syringe must be filled to usual draw volume. Ice pack cooling is not required if the sample is analyzed within 30 minutes. If blood gas analysis will not be performed within 30 minutes after specimen collection, transport
sample in a cold pack or prepare a container with ice water capable of maintaining refrigerated temperatures and large enough for immersion of the barrel of the capped/sealed syringe.