Tricks of staying alert and awake?

Now, from personal experience (having worked a company that liked to send us on long IFT's) if you have a long IFT/transport/whatever is making you tired, and neither you nor your partner is particularly chipper....cold water poured from a sport bottle down the back of the shirt is a sure fire way to stay awake....but make sure it is COLD...talking about 35 degree water here...
 
I take power naps like a few others have said. If I can fall asleep for 10-40 minutes, I can be awake for another 4 hours. And for some reason, when I'm tired and I keep at it by not going to sleep, I won't be sleepy until I lay down. I stayed up for 42 hours about a month ago. I was still wanting to work, but the sup. said GO HOME! Caffeine just does not work for me. I hate coffee anyways. And you can always let your partner drive to the scene!
 
EMSLaw said:
I've heard that an old trucker trick is to drink a cup of coffee, then take a nap. The caffine takes 30 mins to begin working, so by napping during that time, you get the best of both.

As you can tell by the "I've heard....", I have no evidence to support this, so take it for what it's worth.
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I will second that. I have done it.

Your body needs to sleep.
 
Stabbing yourself in the leg works wonders.
 
re:

Ok so I really don't have a lot of problems staying awake on the ambulance but at my regualar job I sit in a chair for 12 hours and watch cardiac rhythms . At times I get extremely tired and have found that isometrics help keep me alive as well as eating an apple or some other fruit . Caffiene helps but only for alittle bit and I usual feel worse when it wears off so I hope this helps
 
In a documentary I saw, they showed that if you've had a few sleepless nights, you are more prone to making errors while driving if you're also high on caffeine.
 
I am prescribed Nuvigil for my ADD. Its also used to treat narcolepsy, and is given to Air Force pilots who fly long missions, so one of the side effects is increased alertness (read: difficulty sleeping).

Relying on medications to stay awake isnt usually something id vouch for, but its gotten me through quite a few long shifts.
 
Rubles said:
In a documentary I saw, they showed that if you've had a few sleepless nights, you are more prone to making errors while driving if you're also high on caffeine.
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Yea....caffeine will keep you awake, but not alert. Your body is still just as tired, it just cant fall asleep cause it is loaded with drugs. (So to speak)
 
Epipen to the leg WOWZAS youll be flying high

also, windows open in the cab, the cold air hitting your face will keep you up a bit.
 
hot sauce on the ball sack works wonders, I think I have done it to much though I can now pee after eating 50 hot wings (without washing may hands first) with no problem.
 
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