E Logs And Sleep Apnea From Trucknews.com
Topic 105 | Page 2
That's the dilemma with sleep apnea...it only affects a very small percentage of the population but those that have it usually don't know it. It causes major problems in a person's life that they don't understand - terrible headaches, can't think clearly, unmotivated - the typical problems anyone would have if they weren't getting the proper rest. When someone is diagnosed and treated, it's a life changing thing for them.
Testing as many people as possible is obviously a big money grab - nothing new there for sure. If the test was pretty cheap it would be well worth testing a lot of people for it. Hard to say how to handle this situation, ya know?
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
That is the thing Brett. The testing is not cheap. I have seen it as low as $250 if you test at home upwards of $4000 if you have a sleep study done at the testing site.
Best thing to do in my opinion is if the company is willing to pay for the study then jump at the chance to have yourself checked out. Frankly I don't want to be hit while driving down the road because someone fell a sleep while driving cause they were not getting a good nights sleep.
Not to jump backwards but how can they say it allows driver harrasment by forcing to drive longer I'm on e-logs when I say I cnt finish this ld due to fatigue or no hrs my company dsnt ask they send a relay. Now if I say look I'm tired goin to go to bed will deliv on time I get OK be safe.
This is one thing that has been worrying me. I'm a big guy and am afraid that I will quit my job to go into a company sponsored training andhave to go for a study. I'm going to have trouble keeping up with my bills while in training and there is no way I can afford to go for a study. I don't know whwt I will do if I have to pay out of pocket. I'm hoping I can do something before I go to training while I have insurance with my current job. I'm also working on dropping pounds but I'm still worried.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Took a "at home" test in the hotel. Tested positive "moderate" - the company set me up w/ the c-pap machine. I've got to use it 70% of the time to be in compliance w/ safety. There is a modem attached to the back & I got to send an update each day. There is a size sizeable cost. I do have access to a HSA to pay for it.
On a 2nd note I'm almost through orientation - I'll update in a couple days... A couple guys did get cut, lots of pressure, long days - and losing an hr sleep tonight Sucks! Oh well...
Shoot if its just the question of using the cpap machine it is no big deal! I was diagnosed with sleep apnea more than twenty years ago and the machine has changed my life!Well rested, alert and as a side benefit I can put my self to sleep just about any time by putting on my mask and flipping the switch. My question is If I use my power inverter in the truck overnight will I run the batteries down to far to get going in the morning? It will not draw much amperage but I have no experience as of yet. I suppose if I had to I could purchase one of those little Honda generators to get me by. Now for my soapbox! There are a great number of undiagnosed apnea sufferers out there and unfortunatly there is even more misinformation about the link between obiesity and this disorder. Believe me when I tell you weight is only one of the factors involved but it is what is being used as the identifing symptom all to often. I go motorcycle camping with a friend and I could hear him stop breathing in his tent all the time. Well when I tried to tell him about it he poo -pooed me saying he was in great shape and indeed he was trim and fit. Just before christmas he wound up in the hospital with serious heat irregularities linked to apnea. He now uses the cpap and tells me he feels better than he has in years! Being an understanding friend I looked him in the eye and said: WELL DUUUHHHHHH!
Thants my two cents !
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Most trucks that have inverter's, also have the power saver wired in. It will shut off everything, when the batteries get low, and save enough power to start the truck...
Most trucks that have inverter's, also have the power saver wired in. It will shut off everything, when the batteries get low, and save enough power to start the truck...
Good info Thanks Starcar.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Attending Truck Driving School DOT Physical Health Concerns Logbook Questions Sleep Apnea Understanding The Laws
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hey Steve, definitely let us know how this all shakes out. I had a friend who had sleep apnea , but he's the only person I've ever met that I knew of who had it. My personal opinion of this, though it doesn't change anything, is that this constantly being on the look-out for those who have it is bad science chasing after illegitimate money, but then again some things never change. There's nothing new under the sun. I wish you all the best with it, and hope your test results are negative. Just one caveat: my friend who truly did have it said he had never gotten any better sleep in his life than the sleep he enjoyed with his machine hooked up.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.