CPAP compliance

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Criminey Jade, Nov 5, 2014.

  1. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

    1,609
    1,803
    Aug 16, 2013
    Not Colorado Anymore
    0
    I currently have a codriver who very nearly refuses to use his CPAP. We have discussed this before on a few occasions and he responded with this Baby Huey routine or claims he only has to use it a little. Don't those report your usage? I am getting frustrated because I idle the truck at night and he doesn't use it (our inverter has to have the truck running or it draws the batteries too low). When I try to discuss things, I get arguments and excuses. What's the next step? Would I mention this to Safety? Heck, I idled the truck all night last night and I woke to him sleeping with his feet at the CPAP end if the bunk. Obviously, DOT compliance is not a priority with this guy. Given this and several other things, I can't figure out how he has a medical card unless his doctor did his exam over the phone.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

    14,765
    22,568
    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
    0
    It shouldn't draw your batteries that low unless you have weak batteries. I run my CPAP machine and dorm fridge off my truck's built in inverter and it doesn't kill my batteries overnight.
     
  4. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

    1,609
    1,803
    Aug 16, 2013
    Not Colorado Anymore
    0
    Ours go down in about 5 hours and our fridge is disconnected.
     
  5. tobiasrook

    tobiasrook Light Load Member

    135
    30
    Jan 5, 2013
    0
    Wow....you actually care enough to be persistent.....the bottom line is let him do it his way....WHEN it comes time they WILL disqualify him for non-compliance and then the matter will be closed....
     
    tonyjxn Thanks this.
  6. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

    1,609
    1,803
    Aug 16, 2013
    Not Colorado Anymore
    0
    I worry if I keep letting him do it "his way" that I'm going to wake up thrown from the truck after he passes out behind the wheel and we cross the median or take a ditch at 65 mph.
     
    Puppage, magoo68, albert l and 2 others Thank this.
  7. tobiasrook

    tobiasrook Light Load Member

    135
    30
    Jan 5, 2013
    0
    Well you have a choice to make...I'd say do what's best for you as a driver and person.....truckin has been around alot longer then CPAP and tired drivers are in a sense the norm to a point.....If you are training and your trainee isn't compliant with company policies and regs...then in my opinion he should get the boot from my truck and let the company know why.....it's your life, it's your job to train "good" driver that follow the rules.

    If he's difficult now....just wait till he's in his own truck...
     
  8. Joetro

    Joetro Road Train Member

    2,416
    2,409
    Aug 23, 2008
    Post Falls, ID
    0
    There is no DOT requirement for CPAP.
     
  9. tobiasrook

    tobiasrook Light Load Member

    135
    30
    Jan 5, 2013
    0
    Please provide links and facts.....perked my ears.... Drivers whose sleep study results are positive for sleep apnea and who have been set up on CPAP treatment, will have to meet certain compliance requirements when using their CPAP machines. To meet current DOT regulations, CDL holders must use their machines for 70% of the week which roughly equates to 4 hours a night for 5 nights a week.
     
  10. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

    4,314
    10,375
    Dec 23, 2008
    Katy, TX or Swedesboro, NJ
    0
    If you feel your safety is compromised you need to do what you have to do. If he has a one year medical card due to sleep apnea then he needs to be compliance. However if nowhere on his medical does it mention sleep apnea then I don't know if there is much you can do besides get a new co driver.

    I have never had an issue with my batteries running my cpap off my inverter. You may want to check your batteries.
     
  11. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

    1,609
    1,803
    Aug 16, 2013
    Not Colorado Anymore
    0
    Oh and he's also disabled it's ability to communicate. I found the antenna shoved in a cubby next to the bunk.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.