My first 3 tank boat dive tomorrow

[trigfunctions]

On a boat, I'm usually fine for the first dive, then something happens between the first and the second, the wind picks up, the waves pick up, I'm tired of being in the wetsuit, I'm starting to feel seasick because I swallowed water on the first, I dunno, but I often bail on the second.

That used to happen to me too. I've figured out that if I eat something as soon as I get back on the boat that helps. I usually eat (more like inhale) a power bar immediately, along with drinking a lot of water. You could try that, or something else bland like fruit or a cheese sandwich. The bonine the night before and the morning of the dive helps too.

You are going to be really tired after the dives. Some people say that slowing down your ascent even slower than allowed - even for the last 15 feet - helps reduce the fatigue. I don't know if I've ever noticed a difference.

 

[pacificgal]

That's an interesting thought. I'll try it.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Bring a warm hat and a coat.

 

[FishDiver]

The advice on the meds is dead on so I won't repeat it. Plan on a nap after the trip, maybe even in the marina parking lot. I have slept there a number of times myself.

Have fun. Learn from this trip how you react to boat dives. I am not a big fan of nitrox as a solution to fatigue. If you find you are routinely seasick have your doctor prescribe an anti-nausea patch. The patches don't have the side effect of drowsiness like the pills.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

On a boat, I'm usually fine for the first dive, then something happens between the first and the second, the wind picks up, the waves pick up, I'm tired of being in the wetsuit, I'm starting to feel seasick because I swallowed water on the first, I dunno, but I often bail on the second. I really really want to do all three, especially since I paid for them. I never thought I really needed a nitrox class but if I was Nitrox certified, I would probably end up in better shape, eh?

Nitrox won't help with seasickness. You're probably getting seasick after the first dive because, during the surface interval, the boat is anchored in the same spot, bobbing up and down/to and fro in the waves. That kind of surface interval always makes me queasy. I do much better as soon as we motor off to a different site. I find that restrictions in/around my neck (e.g., tight drysuit neck seal) also make me more prone to seasickness. YMMV.

Have fun. Learn from this trip how you react to boat dives. I am not a big fan of nitrox as a solution to fatigue. If you find you are routinely seasick have your doctor prescribe an anti-nausea patch. The patches don't have the side effect of drowsiness like the pills.

As FishDiver pointed out, the scopolamine patch is an option that requires a physician's prescription. Please note that scopolamine is classified as an anticholinergic drug which has proven sedating effects (just like many of the other over-the-counter anti-motionsickness pills).
FYI, when selecting your anti-motionsickness meds, pay attention to the active ingredient and not the brand name so much. This is particularly important with Dramamine (usually dimenhydrinate) since it comes in many different "flavors," some of which have the identical active ingredient as Bonine (meclizine) and Antivert (meclizine).
Other antiseasickness aids include ginger and any number of placebo treatments.

Probably the best info any of us could give you is that anti-motionsickness meds can affect people in very different ways. Find out what works for you. This is very much a trial-and-error process. Perhaps the best way to do this is to try out the various meds (one at a time) on non-diving days...while doing your normal everyday routine. Diving is complicated enough. You really don't want to find out that a certain med makes you extremely confused or agitated or cognitively impaired...while you are on a dive.

Have fun and dive safe...

 

[pluckydks]

i think you should be fine...but i hope the sharks won't be

 

[Ben_ca]

Have fun..you'll be ok! Should to be a great weekend!

Just buck down a few double espressos on the way home...

I'm pretty sure I have all the coffee places between Monterey and my house mapped out... oddly enough I sometimes bump into other diver friends there also

I've taken quick naps in a few parking lots also...

 

[pacificgal]

I know divers are nice people but I have never been able to sleep in a public place.
It's just after 8 pm, I am going to pack up my car and go to bed. If lots of rest doesn't do it for me, maybe I'll skip the hockey game after.
I'll take Chuck's advice and bring a warm hat, I was planning on just taking a ball cap, but a warm one sounds better. I know the boat has hot water for putting down your suit, and I just got a new dive parka I need to try out and write a review of. That and 12 mm of wetsuit, I should be OK. I had some good carbs for dinner, will take meds before bed and again in the morning when I wake, and again when I get on the boat. That's the plan.
I'll let you all know how it goes, and how much fun I was able to have

 

[mgmonk]

A bit apprehensive. Not Nitrox certified so will be diving air, in a wetsuit, but with adequate thermal protection. I have to wake up at 4:45 am to get down to the dock, will suit up before getting on the boat, do 3 dives then come home to rinse gear. Then have a Sharks game from 7:30-10:30 pm.
You think I'm gonna make it? Something tells me I will be totally wiped out after the boat dive.

You're gonna love it, that's all I know. I had about the same number of dives when I moved back to the states, and the first dives I did were a similar setup. yeah, you'll be wiped.... but good wiped.

Have a blast and a half.

(sorry, no advice on the game.... but maybe you'll see one?)

 

[pacificgal]

LOL, we have season tickets. I'll see another 40 of them! Thanks for the encouragement, I'm off to bed!