Sea Sickness

[JOHN DE KLERK]

I suffer from sea sickness when I am waiting on the boat for the last of the divers to surface. Sturgeron seems to assist a little, but I still find it uncomfortable. I'm tired of feeding the fish (sorry for the graphics!). When the boat is moving it is fine, but the moment it stops and bobs - not so pleasant. I try and keep my eyes on the horizon or shore line - which is also a little help.
Any one got more suggestions on how I can manage this ?

 

[dougaldiver]

You could try a different type of sea sickness medication, Probably best to seek advice on what is readily available to you from people nearer than me. Make sure that you know how the med affects you before you dive with it.

Alternatively you could try some of the natural remedies (i.e Ginger) either instead of or as well as traditional medication.

Looking at the horizon is a good approach, try to get yourself as near to the centre of the boat as possible (it's moving the least) and stand up with knees bent. You can then use your legs to absorb some of the movement. make sure you are away from exhaust fumes.

Being careful what you eat and making sure you drink plenty of water can also help.

The other thing that helps is familiarity. before taking up diving I could have got sea sick on a boating lake. Over time you do get hardened to it and find you are less likely to feel bad unfortunately that doesn't make the short term any better.

 

[DiveMaven]

I have serious motion sickness issues on boats and planes, and have found that the best remedy for me is the "Patch" (scopolamine). The only side effect I have is a slightly dry mouth, which simply reminds me to stay hydrated, so it's not all bad.

 

[The_blue]

try the doctors, my G/f get the same. Is the rocking motion that sets her off. She tried 2 kinds from the doc and the last lot are fantastic.

 

[mermaid8773]

Anyone try Triptone? That is what our store recommends, as there are supposedly no side effects..... (I've not tried it myself, as I do not suffer this.....).

I hear that there is no drowsiness associated with taking Triptone, but, you DO have to take it an hour before.

Big Hugs~

Alix

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

A woman in our dive team took Triptone. An hour into the trip, she was giving the big chunky yawn over the gunwales. *sigh*

 

[RocketMan]

Take a look at the ReliefBand at http://www.reliefband.com/main.html. From DAN -This battery-powered stimulator looks like a wristwatch; electrodes on the underside are positioned over the P6 acupuncture site. When positioned properly, the wearer will feel a pulsed tingling sensation across the palm and in the middle two fingers.

The ReliefBand is the only device that has been cleared by the FDA for over the counter use for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness. It was also recently cleared for morning sickness. The device is water-resistant but it's not submersible, so divers should take off the device before entering the water.

Another similar product is the Sea-Band, made in England and distributed worldwide. The Sea-Band is an elastic band with a button that applies pressure to the acupuncture site, much like the ReliefBand, but without electrical stimulation.

Also, Ginger has been found to reduce electrical activity in the stomach, reducing contractions and thereby the nausea. A study conducted at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor proved ginger's effectiveness in relieving motion sickness symptoms. Take 1 gram of ginger orally, followed by eating gingersnaps, drinking ginger ale or candied ginger.

I haven't used either of the wristbands, but when I was a child my mother use to give me ginger snaps and ginger ale for nausea.

Now days I just eat a big ole greasy hamburger. Hmmmmm good.

 

[drew52]

Phone DAN SA they are a great help when it comes to medical information. If they can't help you they can at least give you some advice regarding who to call. If you are not a member think about becoming one it costs between R50 and R70 a month depending what plan you are on. Good Luck and happy diving.

url: www.dansa.org

Telephone: +(27) (0)11 254 1991 / 2/ 5
Fax: +(27) (0)11 254 1993
Share Call: 0860 242 242
E-Mail: mail@dansa.org

Physical Address:
Ground Floor - Opposite Netcare 911 House
IL Piacere Office Complex
49 New Road
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1685
SOUTH AFRICA

 

[drew52]

Also try a bigger cylinder so you come up last then no waiting on the boat for other divers

 

[sharky60]

I get sea sick every now an then, it's very unpredictable with me. one thing that helps is to make sure you have food on your stomach. one of the things that makes you sea sick is the liquid in your stomach "sloshing" around while on the boat.

I take a motion sickness pill Dramamine or Bononie (sp?) in the morning, make sure I eat a good breakfast, not too much, but enough to be full and then take some kind of a snack with me on the boat that will fill the hole between dives and after the last dive. usually something like granola bars or breakfast bars.