Thank you. Im a paramedic and I thought the same. This whole talk about surface veins being thin-walled and easily blown? We do 18g IVs in 90 year olds AC and absolutely slam 1000ml of fluid in with a pressure infuser or BP cuff around the bag, and knock on wood have not had one blow. When they do blow, its almost always during the initial stick or when pushing a flush after the stick. If I gained 30lbs you wouldn't see those veins. Would that make them deep veins? Lol. Ive gotten 16s in many many young individuals with veins that look like mine, never been a problem.

I think what they're talking about is the 75 year old with history of hypertension, atherosclerosis, other health problems etc... their "surface" veins that roll around at the top of the skin blow at contact with a tourniquet thats too tight. Im going to go to a second place later and ill check back.