A vascular access system comprises a needle (104) having a distal tip and aproximal fitting section and a dilator (114) having a solid distal sectionconnected to a solid proximal section and an annular recess therebetween, thedilator (114) having a passageway so that the dilator (114) is coaxiallypositioned around the needle (104). The needle (104) has at least one openingpositioned proximal to its distal tip so that, when the distal end of theneedle (104) enters a blood vessel, blood enters the annular recess to showthe operator that access has been achieved. Optionally, a sheath (160) havinga distal tip, a proximal fitting section, and a lumen sufficient to coaxiallyfit over the dilator (114).
