Truckers & Ease of CPAP Use
Truckers with sleep apnea face a unique problem when it comes to PAP therapy. Spending many hours on the road puts special demands on their CPAP equipment. This makes it more difficult to stay CPAP compliant and perform their truck driving responsibilities.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the American Trucking Associations found that 28% of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea.1 As a result, trucking companies. trucking associations and CPAP manufacturers are joining forces to offer solutions.
Issues Truckers with CPAP Face While on the Road
When truckers pull over for the night to rest, they hook up their CPAP machine to the electrical system in their truck. Sometimes the power demands of their CPAP equipment leaves them with a dead truck battery in the morning. Truckers with sleep apnea facing strict deadlines for delivery may forgo their PAP therapy, which can be both unhealthy for them and dangerous for other travelers on the roadway.
What Trucking Companies Can Do
Trucking companies and trucking associations have become more aware of the problem. They now prioritize the health and safety of drivers, who often have to balance the competing electrical demands of their medical devices with those of all the household appliances that keep them comfortable.
In 2008, Congress amended the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This, among other changes, led to more protection and accommodations for truck drivers with sleep apnea.
Solutions for Truckers with Sleep Apnea
Many major trucking companies now install inverters on their trucks to convert DC [direct current] power from the truck’s batteries to AC [alternating current] power, which most medical devices like CPAP machines require. The inverters give truckers the peace of mind to stay CPAP compliant at night, knowing their trucks will start the next morning.
Benefits of Managing Trucker Sleep Apnea
The addition of inverters not only increased the comfort of truck drivers, but they also ensured that the roads are safer for everyone. Drivers with untreated sleep apnea could be a public safety threat. According to one study,2 the rate of serious, preventable crashes was 5 times higher among truck drivers with sleep apnea who failed to adhere to PAP therapy.
CPAP Machines for Truckers
Portable CPAP technology for truckers makes it easier for them to stay CPAP compliant on the job. Travel CPAP machines are lighter, smaller, and more compact, making it convenient to take CPAP on the road. Many models also include all the features of home CPAP machines, providing truckers the comforts of home while traveling.
For assistance selecting CPAP machines for travel, speak to the expert staff at The CPAP Shop. They can help you choose a CPAP machine that fits your needs. Call 1-877-611-1542 or email us at questions@thecpapshop.com.
References:
- Driving while you have sleep apnea. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Nonadherence with Employer-Mandated Sleep Apnea Treatment and Increased Risk of Serious Truck Crashes. Sleep. May 2016
