I clocked 7.3 seconds from tie to first drop on a 21G this morning, beating yesterday by 0.4. Anyone got a benchmark or am I the only gremlin optimizing like a pit crew?
I shave a second by tucking the tourniquet tail back under the band so I can flick it loose one‑handed the moment I see ‘flash’ — no re‑grab, straight to the tube… It’s quick, but I still wait for full dry and won’t angle‑hunt a bouncy AC just to beat the clock. Are you timing to first drop in the tube or just to flash?
Angle the wrist about 20° and anchor low so you don’t have to rotate the bevel at the skin; that alone got me under ‘7.3 seconds’ on a 21G because the flash comes straight in. Small caveat: skip the fist‑pumping — it makes the clock happy but trashes K+.
I stage the first tube stopper-forward; 21G flash, straight push — no wrist shift, @sparrow34, but I still let the alcohol dry.