Methods for obtaining blood from a subject

A method by a technician for releasing blood from a subject, comprising:

• gripping only one digit of the subject using a multi-pressure zone technique, wherein gripping applies grip pressure simultaneously to i) a proximal phalanx of the digit between two digits of a hand of the technician at first zone and ii) one or both of an intermediate phalanx and a distal phalanx of the digit between another two digits of said hand of the technician at a second zone, and,
• while pressure is maintained on the proximal phalanx and said one or both of the intermediate phalanx and the distal phalanx, piercing a site on the distal phalanx, wherein blood is released from the site pierced on the distal phalanx;
• contacting released blood with a blood collection device;
• after the distal phalanx has been pierced, releasing all of said pressure from the proximal phalanx and said one or both of the intermediate phalanx and distal phalanx,
• reapplying and maintaining pressure to the proximal phalanx, and
• while pressure is maintained on the proximal phalanx, reapplying and maintaining pressure to one or both of the intermediate phalanx and the distal phalanx, wherein blood is released from the site pierced on the distal phalanx and is contacted again by the blood collection device.