Today as the Sleep Awareness Week winds down the Sleep Technology group over at NECC put together an informational Open House near the Haverhill Campus for the truck driving program today. Scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 two groups of truck driving students came in to hear sleep technology students discuss sleep medicine and how it would effect them in particular. Personally, I only made it in time for the second group. The crowd was friendly and inquisitive, surprising since I expected them to nod off after stopping at a local Chinese restaurant for lunch first. I attempted to take pictures but since I took them without a flash they are grainy but here are a few so you can get the idea.
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Students briefly explained sleep apnea and how CPAP is one treatment. Guests asked questions or made statements about CPAP usage. Two concerns they expressed included how it would effect their intimacy with their bed partner and also comfort level for side but especially those that sleep on their stomach. These two points were made by CPAP users in the group; one who is compliant and one who has not been in the two months that they have had it.
Other questions were asked and the students covered a variety of topics while keeping it light, friendly, informative and interesting enough that no one fell asleep. Believe me as one student said, "she's a pit bull, she's waiting to get us' I was eagerly waiting for someone to nod off with my camera prepped.
A few of the topics covered:
Symptoms of sleep apnea
CPAP usage
Types of CPAP equipment
Alternative treatments- for example dental devices and surgery
Restless leg syndrome
The family history factor
One of the big topics in regards to truck drivers was drowsy driving. While the students speaking didn't get a chance to go to deeply into this, the phenomenon of micro sleep was discussed and there was even a first hand account from the truck driver students that was shared. State laws on drowsy driving in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and their possible changes that could effect truck drivers was an area of concern.
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| Students shared their personal sleep stories. |
Overall, it was a great experience and one that hopefully will continue for the next round of students, in both the sleep technology and truck driving programs.
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| Some of the students from NECC's 2010 Sleep Program. |
If you'd like to see more pictures from the event check out my set on Flickr.
A good day for all! The drivers were very interested in OSA and preventing excessive daytime sleepiness and driving drowsy. They had many questions for us and were very engaging. It was a pleasure to be a part of this important event and to work with such sharp people...
ReplyDeleteSteve you guys did a great job with the presentations. I still can't believe that the speeches weren't planned!
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