How do you not fall asleep?

Never have problems when I get tired in winter I pull over jump out of the truck no jacket just a construction vest and tee shirt check straps and chains jump into the snow drink coffee or just stop if it's that bad

 

They don't call 15 minute naps, "power naps" for no reason. This is definitely a good solution if you need to drive a few more hours, and can't stop for your 10 yet.

The next best besides actual sleep, is to get your blood flowing. Stop is a rest area, and run around for 5-10 minutes. the fatigue will go away once you get your heart rate up.

 

I always found that good fast moving adventure stories help a lot Graphic audio uses a full cast if you like westerns try the mountain man series by William Johnston I have the whole set they will keep you awake

 

This is different from driving a car on a road trip, when it is your job, and you treat it like a professional, you will be to busy doing your job during the normal course of business to fall asleep unless you have been running hard, then well yes you are going to get tired.

Here is a novel concept I subscribe to however, I get tired, I pull over and park, be it at a truck stop, rest area or parking lot, I put my log in sleeper birth and I take a nap, sometimes sleeping for an hour or 2 is all the difference in the world for being able to stay awake.

I use this as well to avoid rush hour, and really I don't abuse myself, I need sleep, I sleep. Anyone tells me I should not have stopped and slept, they are going to get some things said to them that do not inspire images of kittens and cupcakes.

 

Eating healthy will help. But listen to music or talk shows on the radio. As soon as it's an effort to keep your eyes open, it's time to pull over.

 

Satellite radio (comedy channels especially, nothing like going down the highway laughing like a maniac)
Music
Rationalizing toys I want to buy even though it's pointless because I'll never get to play with them when I'm on the road so much
lots of thinking
giving people in passing cars strange looks
staring into farm animals' souls, and pondering what they're thinking when I wave at them going down the road. Are they friendly? If they had hands, would they wave back? Would they still be my friends if they knew I loved filet mignon?

Also, planning, getting adequate sleep, and caffeine. I know my limits and if I have to stop and take a nap or just stop for the day period, then that's what I have to do.


Listen to EDM and pretend you can dance while going down the road, if nothing else it should get some blood flowing.

One thing that's really helpful to me is I'm able to run a very consistent schedule. I almost always start driving between 4 and 5 am, and if I'm not loading/unloading, or those processes go smoothly, I stop before 6PM. I don't even set an alarm unless I have to, I wake up between 3 and 5 and roll out.

 

one of the hardest aspects of this job is staying awake

and on top of that, i dont listen to music or radio (other than the cb)

first off, it has taught me to live with myself, and thinking deep thoughts about life and those around me, and believe me, it is entertaining enough

on top of that, i have friends that drive and we call each other all night long

but lastly, when you are tired, stop and sleep, whether for fifteen minute or four hours

but to stay awake, its a discipline you learn over time, eat right, sit straight, keep your eyes moving while you drive,

also, i dont drive a governed truck, which means sometimes, i move as i feel comfortable as opposed to limited to how i can drive

 

I saw this was bumped and nobody mentioned diet in the first few pages. This was also my first thought. I know it can be difficult to eat right on the road, but eating the right types of carbohydrates can really boost your personal endurance and energy.

 

Aderall does the trick just fine.

 

Modafinil would be even better, under less scrutiny, won't show up on drug tests(well, Olympic and other pro sport associations might test for it), not many negative side effects, probably won't get a felony for possession without a prescription, cheaper, etc

source: I used to be a college student, too

disclaimer: I don't use or advocate the use of any prescription stimulants for this job. There is no substitute for sleep(although modafinil isn't far off) and getting jacked up on any stimulant will only compound your problems. If coffee (and caffeine is a pretty powerful and effective stim. itself) doesn't do the trick, you need to sleep better, eat better, exercise more, and most importantly, make imaginary friends with cows.