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How to Beat Sea Sickness
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You paid
good money for that lunch--don't feed it to the
fishes.
Don't
believe the bragging of old salts—anyone can get
seasick under the right conditions. It's not a sign
of moral weakness, so don't be embarrassed. But you
can improve your chances of avoiding it:
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Choose a big, wide
boat.
Bigger boats have a slower roll and usually a
more comfortable motion. Twin-hulled catamarans
have the least motion.
-
Start healthy.
Be rested, recovered from jet lag, and not hung
over.
-
Minimize motion.
Find a seat near the center of the boat, where
there is less motion. The stern is good too, but
beware of diesel fumes.
-
Stay on deck.
It helps to see the horizon, possibly because
your eyes then agree with what your middle ears
are saying—that your body is rocking and
pitching. One theory is that nausea is caused by
mixed messages when your eyes report that all is
stationary.
-
Watch the horizon.
The reference confirms that you are, in fact, in
motion. If you must stay below, lie down and
close your eyes.
-
Don't try to read.
Focusing your eyes on an apparently stationary
target makes your brain even more convinced that
your middle ears are wrong.
-
Eat something.
Opinions vary on this one, but most people feel
better with a little bland food in their
stomachs. Bread, bagels, pancakes, etc. are
better than doughnuts, eggs and bacon. Coffee
and orange juice are acidic and may irritate
your stomach. Eat a little, not a lot.
-
Anxiety contributes.
If you're frightened by the ocean and the
movement of the boat, or anxious about diving,
you're more likely to become seasick. Get to the
boat early so you have lots of time to prepare
for the diving.
What
About Medications?
Pills:
Seasickness pills
(Dramamine, Bonine, Marazine, etc.) work for most
people most of the time. These are preventatives,
not treatments. Start taking them 12 to 24 hours in
advance to build up a level of the drug in your
system. After you feel queasy, it's too late for a
pill to help. Beware of side effects like
drowsiness, and stick with what has worked in the
past. Don't experiment with new meds—and their side
effects—when you'll be diving.
Scopolamine patches: Available by
prescription, these seem to work better than pills
and have fewer side effects.
Sea Bands: These are elastic wrist bands with
buttons that touch purported acupressure points.
Some people swear by them. If they work for you,
great.
If All Else Fails
Let 'er rip. You'll feel better than if you try to
hold it in and it's probably inevitable anyway. A
couple of tips:
Warning signs: Chills, cold sweats, persistent
burping, headache. On your mark, get set...
Where to go: On deck, to the leeward (downwind)
railing, or to the stern. Be sure there's a firm
railing to hold on to, as you may feel surprisingly
weak. Don't use a toilet or trash can. Ask a
deckhand if you have any doubt. You won't be the
first.
August 2001
By : John Francis
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