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"Falling asleep at the wheel"..

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014.

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  1. Aug 1, 2014 #1
    DonaldJ

    DonaldJ Bobtail Member

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    In regards to falling asleep at the wheel..
    I had placed a small box of tools for sorting on a shelf near the bed.. In the box was a strong magnet.. I found I couldn't get to sleep at all while there was that strong large magnet a couple feet from my pillow on the shelf beside the bed.. I moved the magnet, and sleep came easy...

    If truck drivers, who have a tendency to almost fall asleep at the wheel, placed a strong magnet near their heads in the cab, maybe it would keep them awake..? But, strong magnets that close to you are unhealthy some say.. but maybe a close-proximity magnet is better than falling asleep at 60 m's per h on a mountain road..?

    I saw a driver asleep at the wheel.. The truck I was in, the driver tooted him, and he woke suddenly, and cut the wheel.. He ended up easing gently to a safe coasting stop in the wide grassy field along highway-3 in BC about a hundred+ miles west of Penticton.. He even managed to drive out of it back onto the highway.. Must have been an empty trailer..? Maybe he should have been hugging a strong magnet..?

    Disclaimer: Check with your MD, and with medical science, before you place a strong magnet in your cab..
    Caution! A strong magnet can erase hard drives, instantly damage credit cards, and destroy overly-sensitive electronics..
     
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
    #1
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  3. Aug 1, 2014 #2
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    you shouldn't be driving tired in the first place.

    who cares about your hours. the gooberment doesn't know what's in your best interest. only you.
     
    snowwy, Aug 1, 2014
    snowwy, Aug 1, 2014
    #2
    Joetro and FLATBED Thank this.
  4. Aug 1, 2014 #3
    Joetro

    Joetro Road Train Member

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    Ooohh! maybe I could make earmuffs out of a couple of hard drive magnets. I'd never have to sleep again!
     
    Joetro, Aug 1, 2014
    Joetro, Aug 1, 2014
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    Mastertech Thanks this.
  5. Aug 1, 2014 #4
    flybynight1

    flybynight1 Light Load Member

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    a magnet dose not keep you awake and what snowwy said dont drive tired your the captain thats boat moves when you decide to move it
     
    flybynight1, Aug 1, 2014
    flybynight1, Aug 1, 2014
    #4
  7. Aug 1, 2014 #5
    POINTDEXTER

    POINTDEXTER Light Load Member

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    If your a trucker you've driven tired before (had the monkey on your back). You have to know when your able to drive and not drive. I've heard and I know this works for me, when your sleepy you have to get the blood moving. If you get on your feet maybe do a quick walk around you truck (a few jump jacks) it will give you a burst long enough to get to a safe haven. When the blood stops moving for too long, that sleep monkey will jump on your back! I also snack on chips, peanuts, something......its not as easy to fall asleep while your shoving something in your mouth. The snacks may kill me as well (I can try health snacks) but hittin something while asleep will kill me a lot faster.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2014
    POINTDEXTER, Aug 1, 2014
    POINTDEXTER, Aug 1, 2014
    #5
    skyviper73 Thanks this.
  8. Aug 1, 2014 #6
    DonaldJ

    DonaldJ Bobtail Member

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    Stop in at WallMart.. at the vitamins area, find a little red box of "ZOOM".. I use it occasionally, to acquire a second-wind when it feels like I'm dragging my butt, when I Must keep working safely four more hours.. It's a basic herbal boost formula that really works.. But if you are overtired, using it too much might stress your heart, brain, and things, because your whole body will be pushing over the edge in high gear too long.. You decide...

    Thing is, some drivers always push it beyond their limits, like I sometimes do.. like everybody does sometimes.. The magnet and zoom is for me and them.. for those who are so primed and up that they just don't know when it's time to stop and sleep.. and for those who just can't afford to stop and sleep that day or night...
    I recall times I was so extremely tired driving, and had consumed way too many coffees, that I hallucinated a bunch of kids running across the highway a hundred feet ahead.. Another time, under the same conditions, I hallucinated three wild horses leaping across the highway, chased by a cougar, but that one I still don't know if it was real or not.. is when it's time to park it ASAP, and sleep..
     
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
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    skyviper73 Thanks this.
  9. Aug 1, 2014 #7
    BrenYoda883

    BrenYoda883 Road Train Member

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    Wow.... did know that... I may have to give that a try...

    I am on a dedicated account now and am home every nigbt and weekends.... however, I have fou d that I actually was able to get more sleep when I was over the road... now that I am home at nights I just cant seem to get a good 8 hour sleep... for one, my shift is from 2am to 2pm... so, I get up at midnight so I can leave the house by 12: 45, that way I get to the yard around 1:30am... so, in order to get an 8 hour sleep I wojld have to get to be by 4pm and that just isnt possible. ... when I get home I there is house work or yard work to do, then I also have to shower and make dinner... I have a diabetic dog that needs to be walked and get feed and an I sulin shot at 7:30pm... so most night I dont get to bed until 8:00pm if not later.. so I generally only get about 4 hours of sleep..

    The time I struggle with the most is from around 3:30 am to 5:30am... it is still dark out, and I find myself feeling very drowsy... I have found chewing strong peppermint gum helps keep my awake and alert.. the stronger the better, also eating pistachios...

    Once I get to my first stop around 6am and the sun is up I do better... it is just those couple of hours from 3:30 to 5:30 that I struggle with...

    So... I am gonna get me some strong magnets and give em a try...

    Thanks for the tip...
     
    BrenYoda883, Aug 1, 2014
    BrenYoda883, Aug 1, 2014
    #7
  10. Aug 1, 2014 #8
    DonaldJ

    DonaldJ Bobtail Member

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    Me thinks it needs be a very large magnet.. but try your idea.. it might work..?
     
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
    DonaldJ, Aug 1, 2014
    #8
  11. Aug 1, 2014 #9
    Joetro

    Joetro Road Train Member

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    Ever messed with the magnets out of a hard drive? Very strong.

    I guess the sarcasm was missed.
     
    Joetro, Aug 1, 2014
    Joetro, Aug 1, 2014
    #9
  12. Aug 1, 2014 #10
    Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    If you are tired stop. End of story. Using anything to force yourself to stay awake is just delaying the inevitable. You are depriving your body of sleep and the only cure is sleep.
     
    Gunner75, Aug 1, 2014
    Gunner75, Aug 1, 2014
    #10
    8thnote and loose_leafs Thank this.
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