Survival tips for sleeping in cars for Vietnamese drivers

Recently in Da Lat, two people suffocated while sleeping in a car, one of whom died. Deaths while sleeping in cars have occurred more frequently in recent years. Drivers often do not equip themselves with the necessary experience.

1. Why sleeping in a car can kill you

According to medical experts, death while sleeping in a car can happen in two ways: with the air conditioner on or off, but with the doors closed. If the air conditioner is not on, the doors are locked, and the driver sleeps for a long time, there is no oxygen in the car.In the opposite case, the air conditioner is on. Most of the current cars, drivers choose the inside air mode. After a while, when the sensor detects a lack of oxygen, the air conditioner automatically takes in outside air to increase fresh air.

However, the air just outside the car is filled with exhaust gas, which contains a lot of CO. When people inhale,CO combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells, changing the structure of hemoglobin, making red blood cells unable to transport oxygen to the body's cells. As a result, cells lack oxygen, fall into a coma, lose consciousness, or even die. If they survive, the brain damage is very serious because the brain has no oxygen for a long time.

2. How to sleep safely

If it is winter in Vietnam, it is not as cold as in temperate and cold countries, so when the driver wants to sleep, it is best to turn off the engine, turn off the air conditioner and open the windows slightly. Set the clock to wake up every 15 minutes and go outside to breathe some fresh air. This method will help the driver avoid lack of oxygen and at the same time keep the temperature in the car at a moderate level.

On the contrary, in the summer, high temperatures make the car heat up very quickly if the air conditioner is not turned on. Therefore, when sleeping, almost all drivers choose to turn on the air conditioner. At this time, park the car in a well-ventilated place, if there is a light wind, it is even better so that the air from the exhaust pipe can circulate elsewhere. Also open the windows a little to get fresh air and set the alarm clock to wake up in 15 minutes.

No matter how you sleep, drivers should remember two principles: keep the windows open and only sleep for about 15 minutes and wake up once. In addition, the doors must always be locked to prevent intruders.

Sleeping in the car is only a last resort. Drivers should proactively plan a suitable route, avoid traveling a lot at night if not necessary, and prepare their health to stay alert.