The best thing I've found for staying awake...

Just lay in the sleeper for the mandatory 10-hour break, without idling, every single day.

OK, seriously:
Short nap
Cup full of ice
Good music
Sing
Slap yourself
Slam on the brakes when nobody else is around (mentioned in an earlier post)
Raisins, grapes, nuts, one at a time.
Windows open - Cool air on face, hot air on your feet
Stick your arm out the window to catch the fresh air
Go through downtown instead of around town
Take the "old road" (pre-interstate) - usually parallels the big road, has a few more curves, hills, stop signs. On I-5 in Southern CA: Take the 99 instead.

 

Proper sleep along with a healthy diet and moderate exercise is the only way to remain sufficiently rested and alert.
The problem with OTR is the combination of irregular shifts plus lack of access to fresh, healthy foods and sitting for extended periods of time.
Look around the truckstop...nearly everyone is overweight or obese.

 

sugar doesn't give you diabetes.

I was never into sugar. I loved fat and salt. cheese, nuts, pork rinds. Yum. I got diagnosed diabetic a couple years ago.

bad diet (lack of fiber and nutrients) + lack of exercise + being a fatso + genetics causes diabetes (type 2).

 

nothing but coffee and once in a while NOS

I have a coffee in the morning and I go for a good 11-20 hours but I always make myself sleep 6-8 hours that more then you really need as a adult you dont need as much sleep until you hit 55 mark then its the 8-10 hour sleep like the kiddys.

sorry im not making fun of anyone but its true my wife is a RN and she does all the sleep studies at the local hospital. She goes on and on about it.........................

 

Ol' Bakersfield, that's where I was born and raised. (well, Shafter) closenough. I've always required 8hrs. Can do with 6 but, young or old still need 8. I always get sleepy about 2 am . regardless if I slept all day day long or not. That's the time when you get to know your fellow truckers. You can get some good conversation and cure the world of all the problems during that time of the mornin. Miles go by much faster when you have conversation and helps keep ya awake.

 

Did you think we're gonna drive 11 hrs a day both hands on the wheel staring out the windshield like some kind of robot?

 

What's been working for me now is Monster energy drink, sometimes 2 Monsters per night.

Yes, i am still on night shift and it's recently been extended into 3rd shift----hence my recent new beverage consumption patterns. Before i could just stop driving at approx 3 AM.


1) Proposed Experiment:

Just before you pull over to take a nap, drink a 16oz coke (such as from McDumpster). The theory behind this is it will take a while for the caffeine to take effect---maybe 1/2 hour to 45 mins---just the right time for a short "power nap." When you wake up you will (hopefully) feel energized, not groggy.

i plan to begin this experiment next week and will report back.

 

Like many have said sleep is the only thing that cures being fatigued. A 15 to 30 minute nap will get you where you can park for your 10 hour break. Someone posted walking around for a few minutes will help. My experince that works if I'm in my normal work cycle. Hup a person can get diabetes from eating too much sugar if they do it long enough or put on a lot of weight.

 

I just keep repeating to myself, "OK, we're almost there now. OK, won't be much longer now, we're almost there. Just a little bit more, we're almost there. Gettin' closer now, it won't be too much longer."

Keep repeating as often and as long as required.

 

That's funny right there.

Someone mentioned Monster drinks. The only Monster that I've had was awfully sweet, too much so. Red bulls and an occasional Full Throttle work pretty good for me. Also, if the trip is 15 or 18 hours or so, I will stop and get some hot food (burrito, pizza, etc.) once or twice. Eating a big meal isn't good, but some hot food/small meal seems to help ward off sleep for awhile. If the trip is real long, 23+ hours, then a nap is acceptable, but I'm not dispatched on too many of those, thankfully.