Suggestions for buddy that gets seasick on night dives?

[MyDiveLog]

One of my buddies is a relatively experienced diver (~75 dives). We've done about 25 dives together and most went just fine. One one night dive, however, he had to abort the dive due to sea sickness. I didn't think much of it, since it was pretty surgy that night. On a recent night dive, however, it was very calm, 15+ feet of visibility, we went very slow ... a great dive, but he got very seasick after the dive. I've never encountered anything like this before. I don't think it's due to the limited vis, because he dives regularly in less than 5' visibility.

Has anyone else had this problem? I'd love to be able to pass on some advice that might help him, but I'm at a loss.

 

[SueMermaid]

Poor thing. I can sympathize, but can only suggest the standard anti-seasick regimes people use, like drugs, hydration, preparation, etc. If you haven't already, have a look (through a search) here on the board for these remedies and other things that might help.

 

[DocVikingo]

Perhaps your buddy could benefit from this updated version of a piece from my Jan/Feb '00 "Ask RSD" column in "Rodale's Scuba Diving":

"Sea sickness, which shows wide variation in susceptibility among individuals, is not yet fully understood. It is believed to occur when portions of the brain tasked with maintaining balance receive input from the eyes, inner ear, muscles and joints that is inconsistent and unexpected over an extended period of time.

Prevention is a first step. Avoid fatigue and get adequate rest. Eat modestly, avoiding greasy, fatty, acidic and spicy foods. Don't skip breakfast, but stick to bland foods like toast, rolls and cereal. Go easy on tea and coffee, and very, very easy on alcoholic beverages. When on the boat, don't get overheated--stay under a sunshade, don't put on your protective suit until necessary, and get in the water as soon as possible. Search out a spot low and in the center where motion is minimized, face forward, focus your eyes on a fixed object on the horizon or elsewhere, avoid unnecessary neck movements and stay out of exhaust fumes. Do not go below, read anything or look through binoculars. If you must vomit, do so freely, but not anywhere on the boat, and especially not in the marine toilet.

There are plenty of medications available, and you may wish to discuss this with your physician. Among those reported to be the most effective are meclizine and scopolamine. Prescription strength meclizine commonly comes as Antivert. Scopolamine can be delivered through a transdermal patch, Transderm Scop, orally, and as a gel. The gel reportedly works faster, but not as long as the patch. Scopolamine is okayed by DAN with a trial run topside. Occasionally Phenergan is recommended. It can cause very serious drowsiness, however, and is sometimes prescribed in combination with a stimulant to counteract this. The above drugs are prescription only and have reported side effects, most commonly dryness of the mouth and drowsiness. They may also cause blurred vision, dizziness and even confusion in some users, and it is recommended to carefully discuss their use with your physician, give them a trial run prior to use in conjunction with diving, and take them only according to instructions.

Over the counter (OTC) drugs include Bonine (meclizine), Dramamine (dimenhydrinate; not recommended due to demonstrated adverse effects on alertness & performance both topside & at increased atmospheres of pressure), Dramamine II (meclizine; advertised as a "less drowsy" formula. As this implies, be aware that some individuals still do experience some degree of drowsiness) and Triptone (Same active ingredient as original Dramamine, so draw your own conclusions) . A British drug, Stugeron (cinnarizine), has been mentioned by several sources as an effective treatment (Have seen a recent research piece suggesting impairment at higher doses), but it is not yet available in the US. Those diving in such places as Mexico & the British Virgin Islands can find it. Many report these OTC medications most effective if taken at bedtime the night prior to diving, with a second dose about an hour before diving, although recommended dosage amounts should of course not be exceeded. These medications often cause significant dryness of the mouth. Stay very well hydrated.

Considering more "natural" remedies, ginger is frequently mentioned, which can be taken in powdered, crystallized or root form (recommended preparations), or as ginger snaps, ginger ale, or tea. Just make sure they contain actual ginger and not just artificial flavoring. As heartburn with the use of ginger has been reported, also pack an antacid. Others swear by wrist straps, such as 'Sea Bands,' usually wooden or plastic balls on elastic bands which are placed so as to exert pressure on an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist. There are also 'artificial-horizon' glasses. Even aromatherapy has been tried, with a combination of mandarin, peppermint, spearmint and lavender oil being recommended.

In the final analysis, you will need to discover what works best for you with the least risk, side effect, cost and inconvenience. If you take any medications, you should understand their adverse effects and carefully follow directions for use. And remember, there is one safe, sure cure: 'Sleep under a tree all day.' "

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards,

DocVikingo

 

[flw]

. A British drug, Stugeron (cinnarizine), has been mentioned by several sources as an effective treatment (Have seen a recent research piece suggesting impairment at higher doses), but it is not yet available in the US.
DocVikingo

I can vouch for cinnarizine, I live on an island 14 hours by ferry from mainland Scotland, and almost everyone takes this for those rolly trips on the boat. However I never take it when diving, as I simply fall asleep when taking it (good plan anyway at 3am in a F9 on the beam) the other thing about it is a relatively slow onset of action, need to take it 2 hours before you're going to need it, and I always feel a bit 'hungover' the next morning.

The other local, non-diving cure folks swear by to is to visit the bar before sailing imbibe till you're legs are wobbly anyway, then once into the really rough bit you'll fail to notice

 

[baitedstorm]

TheTransderm Scop patch is wonderful. Little patch the size of a dime that goes right behind your ear. My husband got terribly seasick until he to tried the patch. I did end up with dry mouth from it, but no other worries. You'll have to speak to an MD to get an Rx for it though.

 

[gfisher4792]

That's be tough for me, because whenever I feel a bit seesick, the horizon works best for me. I guess that's not as useful at night. I was looking at the Scop patch, as I seem to have lost a bit of my sea legs over the years.

 

[jeadiver]

and is called Scopace. I used the patch for years as it was the only thing I had ever tried that seemed to work, but it left me with a bad case of dry mouth and some other minor side affects. The pills proved to be as effective without the worst of the side affects. Also, you can take it an hour before leaving and it works fine.

Joe

 

[Windwalker]

How do you Descend? If your going head first, there can be a little disorientation caused by improperly equalizing ears, This causes a tiny bit of vertigo, which is amplified by the dark diving conditions causing some sickness. I have run into this once on my first night dive. Descending more horizontal, Slower and making sure the ears equalize equally helped.. Now I have not had any such problem since.

 

[MyDiveLog]

Thanks to all of you for your tips. One thing I shoudl have mentioned is that our two night dives have been from the beach. We've done a number of boat dives as well, a couple requiring an overnight trip to San Clemente Island, and he hasn't shown any sea sickness on any of the boat trips.

For Windwalker: We descend head up, but in relatively shallow water (10'), so we'r enot head-up very long. Next time I'll take us to a bit deeper water and see if the slow, head-up descent helps him.

Thanks all!

 

[miketsp]

Thanks to all of you for your tips. One thing I shoudl have mentioned is that our two night dives have been from the beach. We've done a number of boat dives as well, a couple requiring an overnight trip to San Clemente Island, and he hasn't shown any sea sickness on any of the boat trips.

If it's not the boat movement then try getting a bigger dive light - say 50W.
I have one and stopped using it because it's just like daytime diving.