There are several ways to avoid getting seasick. Pick the one that’s best for you.
| What is seasickness? Fluids in your inner ear detect and respond to movement. In normal circumstances, these fluids help you maintain your balance. On a rolling boat, the erratic stimulation sends confusing and contradictory messages to your brain, which may respond with motion sickness or seasickness. Symptoms are worst in a close room, when the visual message to your brain (“we’re not moving”) contradicts the motion felt by your inner ear (“we sure are moving!”).Anyone who’s ever been seriously seasick knows what a miserable feeling it is. Given the risk of enduring that all week, why would anyone spend a week on a boat? The answer is, a few simple steps will keep you from getting seasick. However, it’s easier to prevent it from occurring, than to get rid of it once you’re on a roiling boat. Here’s what you should know about seasickness. Are you susceptible? Nearly everyone will get seasick in heavy seas, if they haven’t taken steps to prevent it. Some people are more susceptible in the occasional swells that are more typical on a dive boat; others are less so. If you never feel nauseous on a plane, even in turbulent weather, you’re probably less susceptible. If you’ve been aboard boats in choppy water, or in small airplanes in rough air, without feeling nausea. can read a newspaper in a moving, slightly bouncy car, you’re less susceptible to seasickness. But before starting a week-long vacation on a live-aboard boat, even scuba divers who feel they’re unlikely to get seasick will usually take preventive measures. Why risk letting anything interfere with a great week? Preventive medicine For most people, a simple over-the-counter medication such as Dramamine (available in both standard and non-drowsy formulations) or TripTone is all that’s necessary to avoid any symptoms of seasickness. To be on the safe side, start taking it ten or twelve hours before heading out to sea. The next step up is a prescription skin patch, which releases a small, steady dosage of scopolamine into your body. You’ll need to discuss with your doctor whether this is suitable for you. With a patch, you needn’t worry about forgetting to take a pill on schedule.Alternative preventionSeveral approaches can be used to supplement, or replace, the common drugs suggested above. Our advice, if experimenting with any of these, is to try one it on a short trip, before committing to it for an entire week.Many people have reported success with wrist bands, which apply pressure to an acupuncture point.There’s considerable anecdotal evidence that ginger will prevent seasickness. It can be taken in various forms. Ginger powder is the purest source (different studies have recommended 1 to 4 grams); or try gingersnap cookies, ginger root, or pickled ginger from an Asian market. Ginger should be ingested at least several hours in advance.Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water before you set sail.Eating oatmeal or crusty bread is thought to minimize the likelihood of nausea. Avoid greasy foods.While on the boatMost of your time on a live-aboard dive boat, you’re likely to be in fairly calm water. But if the boat hits choppy water, you can do several things.Keep your eyes on the horizon.Stay in the fresh air, and avoid any discomforting odors.Stand toward the middle of the boat, where motion is less severe.Don’t read or do other close-up work. Sucking on lemon drops or other hard candy may be helpful. Jump in! If you’re on a pitching boat, getting ready to dive, your best course may simply be to get in the water and below the waves. |