sea sickness!!

[Bonairetrip]

For me, from most effective to least effective:

1) Avoidance. Avoid any swells. Be at anchor as short a time as possible. Try shore diving (places like Bonaire) and submerge as soon as possible.
2) Scopalamine patches. Place at least 8 hours before you go diving. Use dramamine as well (at least an hour in advance).
3) Be kind to yourself. Stay hydrated and avoid excess sun exposure. Be well rested. Eat smartly (see earlier posts). Position yourself well on the boat (see above). No alcohol -- not even a beer with dinner the night before. Don't read on board -- focus on the horizon. Do not look down (ie, digging out gear), especially when the boat is at anchor. Laying on your back will help you feel better -- but it also means you are done for the day. Avoid slower boats and especially boats that anchor for the surface interval. Be first in the water and submerge as quickly as appropriate.
4) Try the natural approaches. Ginger pills. The pressure point wrist thing. Maybe even the electrical current thing (that one can't get wet, IIRC).

 

[D_B]

One more tip that I learned from ScubaBoard .. don't bother getting some high priced brand name motion sickness medication ... just ask the pharmacist for some pills of the active ingredient (that would be Meclizine for me) ... more pills and much cheaper

 

[farsidefan1]

If all else fails go with the scopolamine. I have a friend who gets seasick sitting on the toilette. With a single patch he is good for a 4 day liveaboard. He just leaves the patch on all the time. Above and below the water. Good luck

 

[Doc Harry]

Once this guy looked at me and said that he was going to throw up. And then he proceeded to vomit all over me. Why didn't he turn his head and vomit overboard?

Thankfully vomit doesn't bother me. Poo-poo, on the other hand... You can puke on me, but don't poo-poo on me.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

Hiya. Okay, you should be able to get this in Dubai, because we have it here in Kuwait. Sturgeron. It has no side effects like Dramamine or the others. It flat out works. Take it an hour before you get to the dock. You'll have a great time. Any pharmacy has it and it is over the counter. Just ask.
Cheers,
Dee

 

[clifftondiver]

I feel everyone's pain. I love the ocean, but it doesn't love me. Should the swell be up, I'll get seasick floating around in a bunch of kelp. It happens so frequently, all my dive buddies are used to it and ignore me.

Some drugs that haven't been mentioned are phenergan and zofran, both prescriptions. They are anti-nausea, cause drowsiness (maybe too much), but they are out there.

 

[RJP]

Sturgeron. It has no side effects like Dramamine or the others.

Like Dramamine, Stugeron (cinnarizine) is an antihistamine and accordingly has a similar side effect profile...

WARNINGS:
This medicine may lead to drowsiness and impaired concentration, which may be aggravated by simultaneous intake of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Patients should not operate hazardous machinery or drive motor vehicles or perform potentially hazardous tasks where loss of concentration may lead to accidents.

SIDE-EFFECTS AND SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
The most common antihistaminic side-effect of cinnarizine is sedation which can vary from slight drowsiness to deep sleep, and including inability to concentrate, lassitude, dizziness, and incoordination. Sedative effects, when they occur, may diminish after a few days.

Other side-effects include gastro-intestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, anorexia or increased appetite and epigastric pain.
Somnolence and gastro-intestinal disturbances are usually transient and may often be prevented by achieving the optimum dosage gradually.

Cinnarizine may also produce antimuscarinic effects such as blurred vision, difficulty in micturition, dysuria, dryness of mouth and tightness of chest.

Central effects may include muscular weakness, headache and euphoria.

Weight gain, perspiration or allergic reactions may be observed. Cases of lichen planus and lupus-like symptoms and an isolated case of cholestatic jaundice have been reported.

In elderly people cases of aggravation or an appearance of extrapyramidal symptoms sometimes associated with depressive feelings have been described during prolonged therapy. The treatment should be discontinued in such cases.

Cinnarizine may enhance the sedative effect of central nervous system depressants including alcohol, barbiturates, hypnotics, narcotic analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives and tranquillisers.

The side-effects of anticholinergic substances such as atropine and tricyclic antidepressants may be enhanced by the concomitant administration of antihistamines.
Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors may enhance the antimuscarinic effects of antihistamines.

Because of its antihistamine effect, STUGERON tablets may prevent otherwise positive reactions to dermal reactivity indicators if used up to 4 days prior to skin testing.

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

Everyone who has posted has covered just about everything you can try. Here are a few things that you may consider along with the information listed in the posts.

Sit in the middle of the boat, as long as you are away from the diesel boat fumes. it's the center of the pendulim (sp?) of the rocking boat. Let the other divers know that you would request this seat, since you are very prone to seasickness. Most will be happy to fill your request.

Gear up your BC and related items as you are at the dock. Looking down at the bench when you are rocking and rolling will make you hit to the rail quickly. Hold off on the wet suit until you reach your dive spot.

Follow the advice of the other posts about food and drink. No greasy food the evening before, and especially the morning of the dive. Hold off on the alcohol completely. No exceptions. Save that for after you get your gear off the boat when your day is done. Plenty of water, but not so much it will also make you ill.

My one buddy who does a lot of boating (fishing & diving) swears by Jewish Dill Pickels before the trip. I can say that I've tried this (I honestly like them), but it may be off the charts for you. If this is not a remedy for you, Saltines are a good alternative. I don't think it's anything more than some sodium in the food. I can't think of anything more bland than Saltines, and if all else fails, you won't dry heave. In my beginning days, I spent many a trip dry heaving, since I wouldn't want to eat before the dive (not eating is NOT the answer). Dry heaving is nasty. I won't expand on this anymore.

One thing we tried to do with our divers, if all else fails, and you know you won't be diving that day is to get into your wet suit, with no gear or weights on and hang on the Gerry line while the other guys are doing their dives. This may sound crazy, and many of sick divers won't even think of this as an alternative, but once you're off the boat, all the rocking and rolling goes away. You just rise and fall with the swells, and the motion is 1/10 of what you are getting on the boat. Stay back away from the other divers. Experienced guys know what's going on when they see you, so don't think they will be bothered. As I say, just stay back a little way, wear a PFD, and take a small line to tie your wrist to the line. Tell the DM you are doing this, and they will keep their eye on you.

My one buddy Ray is really prone to seasickness. We always find him with his head in the breeze, and his eyes on the horizon. We do feel bad for him, but he looks like a beagle with his head out the car window, hence his new nickname!

By all means, STAY OUT of the cabin. It will hit you quickly once you are in a closed enviroment.

I used to get it often. It will pass. I know that once I bought a boat, and had the responsibility of getting my crew safely back to the dock, I had no time for seasickness. Now, I'm not suggesting you buy a boat (unless you can afford one!), but the point is, the more you keep yourself busy, or talking to other divers as you stare at the horizon, head pointed in the breeze, the better you will be. Everyone can get seasick, so don't feel bad. The most seasoned captains and mates get a bout of sickness every once in a while. We've all been there. But you will get your sea legs soon, and have a great time out on the water.

Don't be afaid to admit that nerves can come into play. this can make you a little queasey until you get your diving fine tuned. Stick with your sport, it will pay off. Like the other suggestion, do some shore diving as you get your gear how you like it. You may want to work up to boat diving as you hone your skills. Good luck.............you will get it.

PS........After this is all over for you, NEVER say you don't get seasick. Bad Karma!!!

 

[Rescue Diver68]

^^ As RJP says.

You do get used to it the more time you're on the boat. It's all in the mind.

I get so tired of people who have no clue saying that sea sickness is "all in the mind".
Clearly you know nothing about seasickness.

 

[RJP]

I get so tired of people who have no clue saying that sea sickness is "all in the mind".
Clearly you know nothing about seasickness.

Well, physiologically... it is all in your mind.

That's not saying it dismissively. It's caused by your brain not being able to process the conflicting input between what you're seeing and what you're feeling. The result is "All systems - REVERSE!"

That's not to say that you can "will it away" but for many people it is possible to acclimate to being on a boat. A lot of new divers are particularly susceptible because they are already anxious, in a new environment, unfamiliar smells/movements, etc. Hell, a lot of new divers gearing up at picnic tables at our local quarry look to be on the verge of hurling before there first few dives!

:shocked2: