How to keep the scop patch on?

[dzstr]

Tried scop patches the first time this weekend for motion sickness. Thought they were designed to stay on when wet. After the first 45 minute dive Saturday morning the patch was gone.

Any tips to keep it on?

Will putting a layer of waterproof medical tape over it help?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[Damselfish]

tape would probably help. My husband uses a bandaid and that helps too.

 

[fgray1]

I used them before
My Dotor who is also a diver told me to place the patch on the day before and not to worry if it falls off. You will have enough of the meds in your system to last the day.
I've never gotten sick that way. He did tell me to be careful of the side effects while diving too.

 

[SueMermaid]

If you are losing your patch, you need to make sure the area behind your ear absolutely oil-free and dry when you apply the patch. Swab the area with alcohol and a cotton ball and dry thoroughly. If you don't have alcohol, clean it with soap and, again, dry very thoroughly.

Stick the patch on the night before your dive.

 

[outlawaggie]

Paul,

I had the same problem. Luckily my Dr. also dives. She reccomended Scopace. It is the same medicine as the patch but in pill form. The only downside I found is that you have to take it more often (every 8 hours or so) The nice thing is you can adjust the dose as needed. Check out the website www.scopace.com. I used it a few weeks ago on a trip to the Flower Gardens in 4' seas and was fine.

 

[baitedstorm]

I swab the area down well with alcohol before sticking it on. I do this the night before. I think the body heat from wearing all night keeps mine on all the next day. However, I find the side effects much more bearable if I remove the patch right after the first dive......... I've yet to get sick (even in some pretty nasty weather).

 

[Texasdiver2]

I constantly lose my Scop patch. I have swabbed with alcohol and I have even shaved the area before application and I usually lose it during the second dive of the day. I recently dove three times a day in the Bahamas and wore a beanie cap on every dive. I never lost the patch! We returned to Miami on the boat and sailed thru 10 ft seas. No seasickness whatsoever! I swear by the patch.

texasdiver2

 

[Damselfish]

I suspect the impact of hitting the water may be part of the problem, and that's why the beanie or anything covering it can help. As it's still getting pretty wet.

 

[Marek K]

My wife -- horrible seasickness -- used the Transderm Scop patches 10 years ago when she was diving. The patches wouldn't stay on underwater either.

Her doctor told her too that, assuming you've been wearing a patch long enough (overnight?), the medication stays in your system for the duration of a dive --- like a couple of people here have pointed out. So she'd peel the patch off on the boat just before a dive, then stick it back on again after surfacing.

With her, even the T-Scop patches didn't take care of all the queasiness (particularly if there were smokers aboard). That's why she finally gave up on diving, unfortunately. But the patches helped a lot, and she didn't notice any problems with removing the patch for an hour or so.

--Marek

 

[outlawaggie]

My wife -- horrible seasickness -- used the Transderm Scop patches 10 years ago when she was diving. The patches wouldn't stay on underwater either.

Her doctor told her too that, assuming you've been wearing a patch long enough (overnight?), the medication stays in your system for the duration of a dive --- like a couple of people here have pointed out. So she'd peel the patch off on the boat just before a dive, then stick it back on again after surfacing.

With her, even the T-Scop patches didn't take care of all the queasiness (particularly if there were smokers aboard). That's why she finally gave up on diving, unfortunately. But the patches helped a lot, and she didn't notice any problems with removing the patch for an hour or so.

--Marek

She should try Scopace. Its the same medication but in a pill so she could take two at a time and you don't have to worry about it coming off.