Dramamine

[Marek K]

I switched to the Patch (which now comes in pill form), and find that the slight dry mouth I get is a good trade off.

Now, you see? Everyone has different reactions. When my wife was using the scop patch years ago, it had some serious psychological effects on her. Once at a party the night before a boat trip, she still swears a buddy of mine grew devil's horns and a tail.

(Well, he did seem to have the hots for her... constantly telling me how beautiful she was. How weird was that?)

--Marek

 

[spectrum]

I've found a lot of good info here on SCUBABAORD in the past and a lot of it has been posted above ranging from what to eat, watch, take and do. I'm a person who get's knocked out by even the non drowsy formulas and find that 1/4 tablet of non drowsy Dramamine is all I need for skin diving on moderate seas, I suspect this will carry over into SCUBA soon. So if the stuff hit's you too hard split the pill and save some$$

Ginger is my wifes friend, tea, Alltoids you name it.

Pete

 

[eyasha]

I have to give another thumbs up for bonine. Dramamine makes me so tired, I don't end up doing anything but sleeping. Bonine seems to kill the nauseau, but I dont the sleepy feeling from it.

 

[el ridgeo]

I've been using Dramamine since my first boat dive five years ago. It's always worked well for me. I used it last summer on a live aboard trip. We did 5 to 6 dives a day. I never had any problems with drowsiness throughout the day (but I slept like a log at night)

 

[DiveMaven]

All these different responses only prove one thing.....you should always try medication BEFORE you dive to see what your reaction will be. Never listen to what other people say without testing for yourself.

 

[JustDiveIt]

Well... this is no joke but.... I take ginger pills and eat ginger cookies. (which I love) Can't say it will work for everyone, but it sure works for me.

 

[Divedoggie]

I use non-drowsy dramamine. It works great to prevent sickness, but I am beat after the dives. I've tried the patch, and didn't get sick, but I still didn't feel great on the high seas. It is also working 24/7, and I don't want to be drugged while I'm climbing the pyramid at Coba! So, I stick with a non-drowsy dramamine about an hour before boarding the boat.

 

[jakubson]

All these different responses only prove one thing.....you should always try medication BEFORE you dive to see what your reaction will be. Never listen to what other people say without testing for yourself.

Right on! If I were you, I would try both Chewable Dramamine and Chewable Bonine at home. I say chewable, cause you want to take it at the right time, not when you have easy access to a drink of water (say, driving to the dock and going "Oh s***, I forgot to take my xxx."

FWIW, I have used both. Dramamine was my choice for NJ wreck diving, since I WANTED to sleep on the trip out to the divesite. I never had any trouble being sleepy on the actual dive, since I dove a wetsuit in NJ and the water was cold enough to wake me up.

In tropical waters, I use Bonine since I want to be more awake and sociable. I never had any weird effects, but remember YMMV. Drymouth can occur with both, but since you should stay well hydrated when diving anyway, this should not be too bad a problem.

Good luck.

 

[MissyP]

Is it OK to take Dramamine before a dive trip? I will probably use the 24 hour kind and take it the night before so the sleepyness will be gone. Also, when it starts working, it tends to throw me a little off balance so I want that to be gone before the dive too. Is there any reason I shouldn't take this? Is there anything out there that is better?

THanks for the help.

I'm prone to seasickness & Dramamine has never worked for me, even in calm water.. I bought Bonine, but haven't been on a boat to test it out yet.
Staying in the fresh air (and away from the diesel fumes) and snacking on saltine crackers always seems to help me. Keep looking at the horizon, especially if you can see land. Ginger is supposed to help as well, so maybe you can snack on some ginger snaps to help your stomach. Stay hydrated, and definitely avoid greasy foods before and during your boat trip! Good luck and have a great 1st dive!!

 

[H2Andy]

i've only used dramamine, the non-drowsy kind, and it works fine for me (only
makes me slightly drowsy, but not too much)

i take one the night before, one the morning of, and one at lunch if afternoon diving.

it works for me MOST of the time. unfortunately, i get pretty sick, so nothing really
helps when the seas are 6-8 or so and up