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How to stay awake

Posted: 06 Jul 2010, 23:23
by Bilich
On Berget games there are 6 hours of sleeping time ( B8 ). It does not mean that you need to sleep at that time or that game is off for 6 hours. Game is off only in the bases but there is a lot of buisness that needs to done and a lot of fun waithing for you.

If you want to stay awake and play as much as you can or just stay awake after sleeping hours read this and use some tips :D

When you decide to go to Berget start praticing. Stay awake for one night and whole day after. Increase your awake time slowly. You will need a lot of energy so start making your physics and mental capabilities higher . Best way to do that is walking. Just put your backpack on your back and go for a walk. You can not raise 100kgs above your head if your body is not ready for it and you can't stay awake for 2 days if your body is not ready for it ;)

It is not easy to stay awake and walk for 48h , you will not be able to do that after 7 days of practicnig but if you want to do that make it your private chellange. Power of mind is the most important thing when you want to boost your awake capabilities.

When you come to Berget do not stay awake night before the game because it will be really to much. Go to sleep for a few hours and again couple hours before the game.


- do not drkink a lot of coffe - drink a lot of water. Dehydration will reduce your blood volume, which can make you feel tired.
- do not eat MRE - eat high energy food ( minimize your blood sugar swings ) eating smaller meals every few hours. The best food to stay awake is sunflower seeds, beans, fruit or fruit juices, nuts and vegetables
- make breakfast your main meal
- keep your meal below 200KCal
- take a mulitivitamin ( with 100% daily recomended vitamins and minerals ) vitamin D, selenium, riboflavin, niacin and the B-vitamins such as pantothenic acid, folic acid, thiamine and vitamin B-12.
- use suplements if you need them ( with B6 , B12 and CoQ-10 )
- use Chewing gum , it can create enough movement to help you stay awake

Massaging any of the following points will improve circulation and ease fatigue:

-Top of your head (lightly tap with your fingertip)
-Top of the back of your neck
-Back of your hands (between thumb and index finger)
-Just below the knees

Expose yourself to bright light - there is no night on Berget so be sure to use red or yellow goggles during the evening hours so your eyes can have enough light.

Take a power nap. If you have the time, sleeping for just 15-20 minutes can increase your alertness but this will also have some efect on your legs if they get cold.Remember that body temperature drops when you fall asleep.Power naps shuld be taken by the fire so fire can keep your legs warm. Do not take power naps in your sleaping bags because you will be comfortable and your power of mind will not be enough to make you get out it :D Do not sleep more than 15mins because brain will fall into deeper stages of sleep, from which it’s more difficult to awaken. Good way to take power nap is just lay on the ground. You will be awake as soon as your body temperature drops, your legs will be warm by the fire but rest of your body will not. That means you will be awake like hell :P

Deep breathing helps reduce stress, and increases the level of oxygen in the blood. Techniques can be as simple as inhaling for five seconds, holding your breath for four seconds and exhaling for four seconds.

If you are drinkig a lot of energy drinks ( Red Bull , Monster and stuff like that ) your body will get used and it will not work. I do not use them but if they are only way to keep you awake do not drink them at least 10 days before the game. If you want to buy them buy ones without sugar. Do not drink a lot of them because it is not a water and your body needs clean water ;)

Make yourself ready. Do not try to stay awake or go on mission if you feel you can't do that. If you fall a sleep on the field I will not search for you :D

Posted: 10 Jul 2010, 03:42
by Stig
These are good hints, not just for airsoft, but more importantly for staying awake when driving long distances.(perhaps to Berget? :D )

Posted: 10 Jul 2010, 03:50
by Gauntlet
No. If you starts to get real sleepy while driving, please stop and take a nap (or change driver if you are more than one person in the car).

Posted: 10 Jul 2010, 16:25
by Bilich
Do NOT drive if you are sleepy. Trust me I know that. On the return from one Croatian airsoft MILSIM game I fell a sleep while driving and we hit a truck at almost 100 km / h. No one got injured and it was hell of a luck, but car went to the scrapyard. It was totally destroyed :roll:

After that I started to practice. My personal record is 180 km of walk without sleeping ( with 15 kg backpack ).

Posted: 10 Jul 2010, 21:58
by Kvarnen
And keep in mind, in Sweden and some other countries, it is a crime to drive very tired.

Posted: 10 Jul 2010, 22:54
by Bilich
Kvarnen wrote:And keep in mind, in Sweden and some other countries, it is a crime to drive very tired.
It's a craziness in every country :wink:

Posted: 11 Jul 2010, 03:15
by Waldo
And remember that your insurance might not pay the damage at your car, because you fell asleep while driving.....So take your time and make a nice break near a nice swedish lake, take a nap and spare a few thousand euros fine (nice money to spend on a new gun 8) )

Posted: 11 Jul 2010, 08:56
by freno
It should be a CRIME to drive, when you´re under this cind of stress! And if i´m your commander, i´ll give "the mission" to the squad that are RESTED!!!

...but it´s very intresting to play during night also!!! :wink:

Posted: 11 Jul 2010, 21:46
by MrMedic
@Bilich: Thanks for starting this topic for your very informative first post, much appreciated!

Posted: 11 Jul 2010, 23:49
by freno
MrMedic wrote:@Bilich: Thanks for starting this topic for your very informative first post, much appreciated!
...and please, pm GIMLI for further informations..... He´s the "bunny-rabbit"!!!! :P

Posted: 12 Jul 2010, 00:44
by Stig
Gauntlet wrote:No. If you starts to get real sleepy while driving, please stop and take a nap (or change driver if you are more than one person in the car).
Taking a nap is one of the hints posted. You should of course never drive if you don't feel like you can do so to the best of your abilities, And thats what this guide can help you do.

Posted: 11 Feb 2011, 11:55
by parresurre1
The best way to stay clear of sleep deprivation is to take powernaps. We use four 15 minutes naps a day to stay sharp and on the edge. We also always have tablets of caffeine with us if we need to sharpen up fast without possibility to a power nap.

If you dont sleep at all, you will soon be a burden to your team, taking poor decisions and having trouble focusing on the mission.

Have a nice day!

parresurre1

Posted: 11 Feb 2011, 13:34
by Ober-Lix
Gentlemen please !

do not take any kind of tabletts, like Percoffitrinol, Chocacola or anything like it. We are not in a real war and these things are not nessecary. Besides that they can do damage to your nerves in the brain, with prolonged usage you can come to a breakdown.
Don´t be a fool, remember we are in a sport, a game!

Posted: 11 Feb 2011, 14:16
by parresurre1
Well, dont drink coffee either then, and don`t use aspirin or any other painkiller.

Posted: 11 Feb 2011, 15:40
by Redmenace_tv
Oberlix is a true veteran, his advice is gold.