This is human blood that has been mixed with a suitable anticoagulant. The use of anticoagulant mixtures such as ACD (acid citrate dextrose) and CPD (citrate phosphate dextrose) extends the useful life of the red cells. If stored under proper conditions, the blood can be safely used within a period of 21 days after collection.

To be accepted as a donor, a person should be in good health and should not be suffering from any disease such as AIDS, syphilis, malaria, jaundice and anemia. The hemoglobin content of the blood should not be less than 12.5 for female donors and 13.5 for male donors.

Collection: The blood is collected aseptically from the median cubical vein in front of the elbow into a sterile container containing an anticoagulant solution (acid citrate dextrose, citrate phosphate dextrose or citrate phosphate dextrose with adenine). During collection, the bottle is gently shaken to ensure that the blood and the anticoagulant are mixed well to prevent the formation of small fibrin clots. A volume of 420 ml is taken at one time. The collected whole blood is handled carefully, sealed and stored at 4°C–6°C without further processing and testing. Whole blood from which the antihemophilic factor has been removed is designated as modified whole blood.

The container used for taking blood is made of plastic and is disposable. Plastic bags or blood bottles manufactured for the purpose of collecting and storing blood are used.