DISCLAIMER: Do not do this.
The following describes a procedure for self-administration of sterile chemicals into a muscle.
- Wash hands and injection site with antibacterial soap.
- Clean the injection site with isopropyl alcohol.
- Clean the rubber seal on chemical bottle.
- Invert bottle of chemical and insert needle through rubber seal at an angle. Tip of needle should touch wall of bottle.
- Push plunger to expell any air from syringe
- Withdraw plunger, drawing chemical into syringe. Remove.
- Tap syringe while needle pointed up (yes, like on tv) in order to allow trapped air bubbles to rise to needle.
- Squeeze a drop or few out of syringe in order to expell air (no need to squirt across the room).
- Place thumb and forefinger of free hand around injection site. Pull skin taught.
- Insert needle perpendicular to muscle, i.e., 90 degrees.
- Needle will pass through dermal layers and fat before it hits the muscle. The distance to muscle depends upon the injection site ranging from quite small (in a male pectoral) to quite large (in a big booty). There is a noticeable difference in density at the muscle. Once you feel the needle hit a dense layer a short distance in, you're there.
- Withdraw plunger slightly to check for blood. If you see blood in syringe, you hit a vein. Pull out. You don't want it there.
- If you don't see blood, slowly push plunger in. Comfort should determine how quickly to do this (you will know).
- Remove needle. Discard in a "sharps bin".
- Put a band-aid on it.
Errata:
- A 1-inch 20-gauge needle is best for intramuscular injection.
- Best location varies; men often find the pectoral easiest and most comfortable. Areas with less fat are preferable. YMMV.
- Proper i.m. injection carries fewer risks than i.v.
injection.
- Air bubbles can dissolve in muscle if accidentally injected, whereas they would cause embolism if injected in a blood vessel.
- If you go too shallow and inject into fat, absorbtion will be poor, but you will not harm yourself.
- No danger of damaging/collapsing veins, hitting an artery, etc.
- Injecting chemicals with ANY technique carries the risk of HIV, Hepatitis, drug addiction, death, etc., etc.