Staying Awake When You Need To

Staying awake can be extremely important when you're driving.  Doesn't matter if you're in traveling in your economy car or a behemoth motorhome, you need to be alert on the road.   Driving sometimes tends to kind of lull one to sleep and long trips can be very boring as well as tiring. Staying alert is critical to safe travel.   You may also need to stay awake in a survival situation to watch for rescuers or to ward off animals during the night.

Many people depend on caffeinated beverages (coffee, colas, and energy drinks) to stay awake. They work pretty well for a lot of people.  The very act of sipping your drink from time to time is helpful plus the caffeine will boost your energy level and help you stay awake.  Some folks rely on over the counter remedies like "No Doz".  I tried that driving in a National Guard convoy one time (using NoDoz) and for about 200 miles I hallucinated that I was following the taillights of a 1940 Ford coupe that wasn't really there.   Any chemical dependence will let you down when you don't have access to the drinks or pills you have become so used to.  However, consuming caffeine may keep you from being able to sleep when you do stop to rest and that can be frustrating and tiring.

I find that chewing gum or eating sunflower seeds helps me stay alert.   Regular salted sunflower seeds make my mouth sore before too long but I've found that dill flavored seeds are about as tasty without hurting my mouth.  I don't think there is anything chemical involved, just physical action of eating or chewing helps keep me awake.   You might substitute your favorite snacks. You don't want anything too filling.   A full stomach often makes you drowsy and too many extra calories is never a good thing.   Sometimes just sipping a cup of water will help you stay more alert.   By the way, you will fell very lethargic if you allow yourself to get dehydrated.  I also have to admit I enjoy sipping a Pepsi while driving.  Both the act of drinking and the caffeine help keep me awake.

There are anti-snooze devices designed for over-the-road truck drivers.   They attach to your head and when you start to nod they sound an alarm to awaken you.  I haven't tried any of these personally, but they might be worth looking into.   The one's I've seen on the Internet hook over your ear and cost $5.99 - $19.98.  Personally, I'd rather STAY alert than wait until I'm sleepy enough to start to nod off. By then I could drift into on coming traffic or off the road by the time I nod off enough for the alarm to sound.

The route you drive will have an impact on how alert you are.  Long, straight, flat stretches of highway are boring and tend to lull drivers into a state of reduced alertness.   Interesting routes with attractive scenery will help you stay awake, but often these roads are also more dangerous in the first place.  Freeways are designed to carry large amounts of vehicles at high speeds and are usually protected by fences that minimize (but do not eliminate) animal crossings.  The more scenic roads through forests and deserts demand drivers stay more alert and provide interesting views that can help hold your attention.  Just make sure you don't pay so much attention to the scene that you don't watch the road!  You can sometimes improve your alertness on boring drives by creating your own goals along the way.  Pick out a landmark (natural or manmade) and mentally measure your progress against it.  Even going from freeway over crossing to over crossing or from billboard to billboard can add some interest to an otherwise featureless highway.  Well designed highways provide interesting views to help keep drivers interested and alert,but it isn't always possible.  I-5 through the Central Valley of California is about as interesting as watching paint dry -- flat and straight and not even many landmarks over crossings in view.

Standing watch in camp has its own set of challenges when it comes to staying awake. Fortunately, most campgrounds are relatively safe and don't require an active sentinel all night.  But sometimes you may have reason to stay up and keep watch (waiting for late arrivals, for instance).  Chances are you'll be pretty tired from the day's activities and very prone to nod off.  Caffeine based drinks or pills can help, but there are sometimes undesirable side effects.  Staying active is one way to stay alert.  Walk around, stoke the fire, study your surroundings.  Sing songs.   Eat some snacks or chew gum like you would when driving.   If you have any companions, schedule them to take some watches so you can get some rest.  The person standing watch doesn't have to be the strongest defender among the group.   You just need someone who can sound an alarm if needed.  If you've had a campfire, it is usually a good practice to have someone stand "fire watch" to make sure it doesn't flare up during the night.  Fire watch is a standard practice at many military and Boy Scout camp outs.  I've even seen buried campfires that started smoldering and smoking during the night, so fire watch isn't a "make work" thing.  You probably don't need a fire watch at desert campsites where there is little if any flammable vegetation nearby but it might still be a good idea and it is definitely necessary when camping in the forest -- or make sure you drown your fire so it is DEAD OUT!

Stay alert!