Seasickness Happens – How to Help
Scubadiving.com has post an informational article on dive boat etiquette. It's a great idea to get yourself in the groove before heading out, especially if you're a first timer. The article is Boat Smarts and it offers advice on what to expect, orienting yourself, how much you should carry on, and more.
The best part of the piece is its tips on seasickness – quoted here – but read the entire article for Do's and Don'ts and much more to make your dive trip a smooth one.
Prevention is better than treatment. Once you feel nausea, there's not much you can do. What you should have done is gotten ahead of the problem. Take seasickness meds before you board the boat, not when you feel queasy. You might even begin taking the pills the night before, to build up a level of the stuff in your system.
Eat. You'll do better with something on your stomach. Make it bland, like bread or cereal and go easy on coffee and orange juice, which are acidic, and greasy sausage. Don't stuff yourself, though. The idea is to make your stomach comfortable.
Stay on deck. Fresh air and watching the horizon seem to help. One theory is that seasickness is your brain's reaction to mixed messages when your eyes see a stationary world inside the boat, but your inner ear reports one going up and down, up and down. For example, trying to read, which keeps your eyes steady, usually makes things worse. If you do sit inside, close your eyes.
Warning signs. Headache? Chills? Pallor? Burping? Head for the railing, on the downwind side of the boat, and let 'er rip. You'll feel better almost immediately.
Don't be embarrassed. Seasickness is not a character flaw, it's a physiological reaction no amount of will and courage can prevent. And you're not the first.
~admin
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I am a abalone diver in n cal and a scuba diver as well. Ive been fighting seasickness for years to the point where i really dont dive much anymore because i just dont want to get seasick any more.It has to be a really calm day and i get in get my limit and get out as fast as possible. I also get motion sickness from winding roads unless i drive its allmost impossible for me to sit passenger on a trip where a long curvy road is involved. As far as pills they work ok but most give me a severe headache if i take like dramamine and dive i get a really bad headache. Some little things ive noticed over the years of fighting motion sickness. Dehydration, ive noticed that if i am dehydrated the motion sickness comes on easier so make sure a few days ahead of time to hydrate yourself well. Rest, if ive been short on my sleep prior to a boat ride, a dive or other causes of motion sickness it definitely makes it come on easier. I wish i knew more on how to prevent motion sickness because it definitly limits my activities oh yea and the patch, well it kind of made me sick before i even got in the water. There has to be some way to prevent motion sickness is there an equilibrium opperation?
It’s important to note that you can often avoid seasickness by staying busy and keeping your mind occupied by taking over the helm or any other activity that will keep you above decks. Look at the distant horizon rather than the water close at hand. Take deep breaths and drink plenty of water.
Did you know that a recent research has reported that of 79 US Space Shuttle missions 94% of astronauts used some medication during flight? 47% of that medication was for the relief of space motion sickness. Hope that makes you feel a whole lot better!
One of the most irritating things about seasickness is how everyone else around you just goes on their merry way, perfectly comfortable and happy, in the same conditions that have reduced you to utter misery.
Not everyone gets seasick on a cruise, but there are some remedies in case you do. Some common treatments for motion sickness are medications, vitamin B6, or ginger supplements (see details below). If the ship hits rough seas, then do not try to read or write. Do get fresh air, and if outside on deck, then focus on the horizon.