Bah - Nasty seasickness today

[TheHuth]

I went for my first open water dives today and got a very nasty case of seasickness. I got motion sickness pretty badly when I was a kid, but had built a pretty good tolerance to it. I did not expect it to hit full force, but unfortunatley it did. The motion along with the exhaust from the boat just messed me up pretty good. After yacking a few times, I was able to pull it together for the first dive. But after we surfaced I yacked a bit more in the water. We got back on the boat, and I was still nauseous. A couple of more yacks later and I was able to pull it together for my second dive. I felt bad for my instructor. He uses an octopus secondary, so he had to share me his personal regulator during the secondary air source assent. I'm sure he wasnt too thrilled; but he's a cool guy. I'll find a way to make it up to him.

Anyways, I got home and picked up some dramamene. It took me a good 4 hours after to get completley back to normal. Just in time to get some sleep and do it all again tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be more pleasant. Either way though, I'm determined to finish up the OW cert tomorrow. As long as I dont feel I'm putting myself at risk, I'll proceed on.

 

[Zog]

I went for my first open water dives today and got a very nasty case of seasickness. I got motion sickness pretty badly when I was a kid, but had built a pretty good tolerance to it. I did not expect it to hit full force, but unfortunatley it did. The motion along with the exhaust from the boat just messed me up pretty good. After yacking a few times, I was able to pull it together for the first dive. But after we surfaced I yacked a bit more in the water. We got back on the boat, and I was still nauseous. A couple of more yacks later and I was able to pull it together for my second dive. I felt bad for my instructor. He uses an octopus secondary, so he had to share me his personal regulator during the secondary air source assent. I'm sure he wasnt too thrilled; but he's a cool guy. I'll find a way to make it up to him.

Anyways, I got home and picked up some dramamene. It took me a good 4 hours after to get completley back to normal. Just in time to get some sleep and do it all again tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be more pleasant. Either way though, I'm determined to finish up the OW cert tomorrow. As long as I dont feel I'm putting myself at risk, I'll proceed on.

Oh yea, how I hate that diesel exhaust when out at sea. I don’t get sea sick much anymore, but on certain days when I expect rough seas, I take Bonine before I get on the boat. Also I avoid eating any type of citrus when out diving. fruits seem to churn my stomach with the rocking motion of the sea. Also, when you’re a student on a boat, sometimes they have you read stuff, and that’s probably one of the worst thing to do when you’re starting to feel queasy. If you have to read a book, or some instructions, try to elevate the book higher so you’re not looking down at it. Bring it high like having a computer monitor directly in front of you. If you can see the horizon line in your peripheral vision the better. At least this seems to help me. Hope something will work for you. Being seasick is just awful.

 

[Altamira]

+1 for Bonine if I think there is any chance of getting motion sickness on the boat. For me, it is 100% effective with no side effects, but you do have to take it before you have the problem. I also try to avoid sitting in the back of the boat where the exhaust fumes are usually more prevalent.

 

[Steve_C]

Not all boats have a diesel exhaust problem. That can be real unpleasant. Research the boats. Not too healthy either. Being able to stand/sit facing into the breeze helps a lot if the boat permits.

While only diving for the last 10 years I have fished from small boats on the ocean for a long time. I very rarely got sick. In the last year or two I have had it happen a couple times a year. May be age related. Have noticed that it happens more often on smaller boats.

Some dive ops are more conservative about going out in rough conditions and others more aggressive. I tend to dive with conservative dive ops. It is supposed to be fun.

 

[TheHuth]

I took Bonine last night, and again some this morning. Today was much more pleasant than yesterday. The entire boat ride in and out was fine. I did get a bit green while floating in the water. Those waves really toss you around. But otherwise this trip was 100x more enjoyable.

 

[Silty Sam]

Bonine is my friend, too

 

[mselenaous]

Bonine, or its generic version, meclazine, is my friend.

Once you are certified avoid hanging out at the surface. I jump in negative (empty bcd). I tell my dive buddies I'll wait for them under the boat ladder about 10 ft or so below the waves.

Coming up, I hang at 10ft until I see an opportunity to get on the boat without hanging on a tag line waiting for other people to get on the boat.

Before dives I eat simple & bland...a bagel or oatmeal or yogurt. Seasickness on an empty stomach with dry heaves is worse than just leaning over the rail and going for distance.

Good luck. If you are prepared for it, itll be easier.

 

[TheHuth]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully ill get out for my post OW cert dives soon. I'll take your advice and eat bland foods and use the bonine.

 

[Zog]

Oh, one last quick advise since I see you’re a SoCal diver. When your vision is totally filled with swaying kelp or eel grass, it can give you bad vertigo. Especially in shallow areas with lots of surge. If you find yourself in this situation, quickly put your hand straight in front of you (like superman). Your eyes need to have something steady to focus on and this helps greatly. If you have a compass you can stick in front of you, that will even help you navigate at the same time. Keep your hand or object in front until you’re out of that area, and can see solid objects (like rocks) to help steady your vision.

 

[snowdog61]

AFA pre-dive meal. Bland isn't completely necessary but avoid foods high in fat that will tend to sit rather than quickly digest. If you have a way to get out on the water boating do it. Eventually you will acclimate to the motion (grow your sea legs) and this issue will lessen. Diesel fumes bother most people and will quickly exacerbate a situation. good luck