seasickness and live aboards

[dianne m]

I am considering a trip to Palau on my first live aboard. I do get very motion sick, and am trying to beat this. Has anyone with this problem gone on any live aboards? What advise can you offer?

 

[Jozefrh]

Hi there,
I too suffer from motion sickness! Since we usually drop off boats its a nasty situation. My doctor prescribed the patch for me and it worked very well! The OTC meds just didn't work for me. I've never done a liveaboard--yet. Have fun--get the patch.

Joe

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I get sick fairly easily and use everything. The patch works best but sometimes nothing works.

 

[Jim Ernst]

my dive buddy(ishie) gets sea sick just doing a surface swim, and i mean she gets it easly and bad,just the slightest movment, she and i did the channel islands and she did great using the patch, we both did, use the patch, ask ishie, she is on the board

 

[Ishie]

I am prone to seasickness, including when I'm on the surface (though not usually when I'm swimming, but when I'm hanging), though I spent last weekend doing four dives off a zodiac, and that was the first time I didn't get sick at some point while diving off a boat. Having a chewable dramamine the night before and the morning of helped a LOT. Even the night before, swallowing a regular dram hasn't had much effect.

The patch will hold me to an extent. Generally, if I use the head or something like that, it's downhill from there. I spent the entire time on the Monterey Express quite sick (with a patch, still needed the crew's help to lift and put on my gear), and I think if I hadn't gone down to the head (which pitches and rocks, and is stifling) in the first twenty minutes of the trip, I would have been a lot better. That being said, the patch holds me better than anything else.

On the Channel Islands trip, I was okay, but spent a lot of time outside; first liveaboard in the history of diving where someone has lost weight, because I stayed the heck out of the galley. I like sausage, but I went in one morning when they were cooking it and nearly lost it from the smell alone.

If you're going to Palau, you're probably on at least a week? Almost always (barring adverse weather conditions), if you're going to get sick, you'll feel like death for the first day or so, and then get used to it, so you can enjoy the rest of your trip. When you're feeling sick, if you must sleep, do it up on deck where there is fresh air. One of the worst things you can do for seasickness is what so many people do--crawl down into the bunks/cabins, curl up on a bed and try to will themselves to die.

If your stomach is feeling wary, but okay, despite the splendid spread on liveaboards, stick to bland carbs. They'll calm your stomach, give you energy if you're having trouble keeping stuff down, and if the inevitable happens, it's a lot more comfortable and a lot less disgusting than beer and pizza. When I was on a Carnival cruise, I wanted to try escargot the first night but my stomach was a bit wary, and I deliberately skipped based on the idea that I had about a 50/50 chance of seeing anything I ate again by the end of the night (yes, I'm that much of a sick-wuss).

Oh, and be careful getting off the boat. People prone to seasickness are also prone to landsickness, which doesn't suck half as much, but can cause you to unexpectedly list off a pier.

 

[Jim Ernst]

I am prone to seasickness, including when I'm on the surface (though not usually when I'm swimming, but when I'm hanging), though I spent last weekend doing four dives off a zodiac, and that was the first time I didn't get sick at some point while diving off a boat. Having a chewable dramamine the night before and the morning of helped a LOT. Even the night before, swallowing a regular dram hasn't had much effect.

The patch will hold me to an extent. Generally, if I use the head or something like that, it's downhill from there. I spent the entire time on the Monterey Express quite sick (with a patch, still needed the crew's help to lift and put on my gear), and I think if I hadn't gone down to the head (which pitches and rocks, and is stifling) in the first twenty minutes of the trip, I would have been a lot better. That being said, the patch holds me better than anything else.

On the Channel Islands trip, I was okay, but spent a lot of time outside; first liveaboard in the history of diving where someone has lost weight, because I stayed the heck out of the galley. I like sausage, but I went in one morning when they were cooking it and nearly lost it from the smell alone.

If you're going to Palau, you're probably on at least a week? Almost always (barring adverse weather conditions), if you're going to get sick, you'll feel like death for the first day or so, and then get used to it, so you can enjoy the rest of your trip. When you're feeling sick, if you must sleep, do it up on deck where there is fresh air. One of the worst things you can do for seasickness is what so many people do--crawl down into the bunks/cabins, curl up on a bed and try to will themselves to die.

If your stomach is feeling wary, but okay, despite the splendid spread on liveaboards, stick to bland carbs. They'll calm your stomach, give you energy if you're having trouble keeping stuff down, and if the inevitable happens, it's a lot more comfortable and a lot less disgusting than beer and pizza. When I was on a Carnival cruise, I wanted to try escargot the first night but my stomach was a bit wary, and I deliberately skipped based on the idea that I had about a 50/50 chance of seeing anything I ate again by the end of the night (yes, I'm that much of a sick-wuss).

Oh, and be careful getting off the boat. People prone to seasickness are also prone to landsickness, which doesn't suck half as much, but can cause you to unexpectedly list off a pier.

there you go , you have now heared from the sea sick professional(ishie)

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello dianne:

Remember that after your system settles down, rehydration is very import before you go diving.

Dr Deco :doctor:

Readers, please note the next class in Decompression Physiology is September 10 – 11, 2005 :1book:
http://wrigley.usc.edu/hyperbaric/advdeco.htm

 

[Doppler]

Couple of other things to consider:

The size of the vessel you are on has a direct relationship to how much motion you'll feel. A one-meter chop in a 40 meter boat is hardy noticable but in a 6 meter skiff, it can be unbearable.

What you eat and how much you eat will also have some effect. Eat light meals with "natural" sauces and spice levels you're familiar with. (Ginger really does seem to help a lot of people so it's on the good guy list.) Drink lots of water and diluted juices but moderate citrus juices. If you normally drink lots of coffee, don't try it until you know things are stable, and even then, keep your intake as low as possible without getting the shakes!

If you take ANY medication for sickness, be aware that it may have unpredictable side-effects at depth... keep your profiles conservative.

Have fun. Palau is great.

 

[Sail 'n Dive]

I am prone to seasickness, including when I'm on the surface (though not usually when I'm swimming, but when I'm hanging), though I spent last weekend doing four dives off a zodiac, and that was the first time I didn't get sick at some point while diving off a boat. Having a chewable dramamine the night before and the morning of helped a LOT. Even the night before, swallowing a regular dram hasn't had much effect.

The patch will hold me to an extent. Generally, if I use the head or something like that, it's downhill from there. I spent the entire time on the Monterey Express quite sick (with a patch, still needed the crew's help to lift and put on my gear), and I think if I hadn't gone down to the head (which pitches and rocks, and is stifling) in the first twenty minutes of the trip, I would have been a lot better. That being said, the patch holds me better than anything else.

On the Channel Islands trip, I was okay, but spent a lot of time outside; first liveaboard in the history of diving where someone has lost weight, because I stayed the heck out of the galley. I like sausage, but I went in one morning when they were cooking it and nearly lost it from the smell alone.

If you're going to Palau, you're probably on at least a week? Almost always (barring adverse weather conditions), if you're going to get sick, you'll feel like death for the first day or so, and then get used to it, so you can enjoy the rest of your trip. When you're feeling sick, if you must sleep, do it up on deck where there is fresh air. One of the worst things you can do for seasickness is what so many people do--crawl down into the bunks/cabins, curl up on a bed and try to will themselves to die.

If your stomach is feeling wary, but okay, despite the splendid spread on liveaboards, stick to bland carbs. They'll calm your stomach, give you energy if you're having trouble keeping stuff down, and if the inevitable happens, it's a lot more comfortable and a lot less disgusting than beer and pizza. When I was on a Carnival cruise, I wanted to try escargot the first night but my stomach was a bit wary, and I deliberately skipped based on the idea that I had about a 50/50 chance of seeing anything I ate again by the end of the night (yes, I'm that much of a sick-wuss).

Oh, and be careful getting off the boat. People prone to seasickness are also prone to landsickness, which doesn't suck half as much, but can cause you to unexpectedly list off a pier.

these points are absolutely essential. I was on a day trip on a boat out to the channel islands recently with some newbies and did they ever need your advice! Lots of unncessary suffering going on. I happen to have done a lot of ocean sailing, and although I am usually ok with seasickness, it happens to all of us one time or another. Here are some tips:

1) what to eat before you go : no grease !!! especially deep fried foods, chinese food with a lot of heavy sauces, etc. Do whatever you can to make sure that your bowels are moving along normally before you go. Do not drink booze or lots of coffee before you go either. And arrive at the boat well rested and hydrated.

2) the night before you leave : try getting on the boat early to get your sealegs, this can really help a lot. Like pain, seasickness is something that is easier to deal with if you take care of it beforehand.

3) underway: do not read books, etc. or concentrate on fine work (fixing small things, working on a computer.) I always bring books on tape when at sea. Only after 3 or 4 days out can I read, and even then I have to keep it down to a minimum. We navigate from computer screens mounted on deck so that at least we get a fresh breeze while we work on the course. I totally agree with the diet suggestions posted here : on board, keep it simple and bland, but try to eat regularly. do not get lulled into that vacation snacking habit, as much as you can, eat food you are already familiar with. (just say no to the whole bag of yummy cookies !)

4) avoid stale air at all times, and especially diesel fumes. Stay up on deck as much as possible, and point your face into the breeze. Bring foul weather gear so you do not have to huddle in the galley. Avoid all smelly situations -- galley fumes, grease, oil,gas, engine fumes, wetsuit drying areas, the head, etc. Be especially careful when the wind is "following" the boat -- ie when it blows the fumes from the back of the boat onto the boat deck.

5) when possible, watch the horizon in wavy conditions. even if land is out of sight, you can help you inner ear to adjust by adding visual stimulus.

6) the head is a killer ! if we are the least bit sick, we pee in buckets on deck and if we are out of a no-dump zone, we poop in buckets and then toss it all overboard as well. and if you have to throw up, do it early and into the bucket -- again up on deck. the head is mostly used in port, unless we have good conditions.

7) meds. try them on land before you go !!! and follow the prescription advice to the letter !!! (I can tell you a horror story about a racing crew member who wore 3 patches at the same time -- yikes. would have been better if he had taken a tab of acid.) talk to your doctor and make absolutely sure you will be safe on the meds you intend to take. candied ginger: helpful with mild cases. OTC: Bonine seems to be safe, but is very gentle stuff. wrist bands and stimulators --- hmmm, do not help me at all, but hey some swear by it. be skeptical, esp. for the heavy weather. Phenargen. this is what the astronauts take and there's a reason Major Tom is a junkie -- this makes you so sleepy that it is often taken with serious uppers. But as a suppository it is incredibly effective -- the only thing that can stop someone who is already seriously sickand throwing up from throwing up continuously. I always carry phenargen suppositories on my boat. scopalomine. try it on land first for sure, but many swear by it.do not borrow someone else's stash. see your doctor. stugeron. an OTC from Britain. my personal favorite. Do not take stugeron forte sold in Mexico without looking at the suggested dosage on the British meds. The Mexican stuff is really forte forte forte.

8) so you're sick ... ok its not the end of the world. get it over with, stick your finger down your throat if you get really close to throwing up, and just get it over with. stay on deck. stay warm and dry. use a suppository if throwing up repeatedly and all that is coming up is bile. most folks do not get that bad, and can get some relief from one or two sessions with the deck bucket. but if you just keep retching on end, watch out for dehydration. in serious cases where you cannot get off the boat, some say a chicken broth enema can help keep your system balanced.

9) you've been sick and now things are delicate. use a light dose of tylenol for any headache. drink mild herb tea with a bit of sugar. stay near the centerline of the boat, on deck. try napping, with a cold or warm compress on your forehead, again in the center of the boat on deck. gradually add in some easy bland comfort food -- crackers, oatmeal cereal, clear soups and beverages. some captains swear by tinned peaches for this transitional period. then slowly ease into a more complex diet. as your strength returns, keep following the usual anti-seasickness rules.

10) you've been sick and you are supposed to be taking meds regularly. be aware that whatever you usually take is not hanging out in your body -- so , if applicable, expect some trouble with depression, pain, etc. that you usually have under control ... and the heterosexual women should remember that a good round of throwing up means that your oral contraceptives are probably not doing their thing. give the guy a condom already !

hope this helps out, and of course refer to the diving med people for any questions about the effect of drugs under the surface.

yours, sail 'n dive

 

[dianne m]

Thank you for your reply. Therre is a lot of good information!
Dianne M