what to eat before a dive/ motion sickness

[coreypenrose]

Interesting link, I've never seen that product. Thsi warning from the product was interesting as well...

"While using this product, you should not drive, operate dangerous machinery or do other things that require alertness."

I wonder if diving falls into the category of an activity that requires alertness...

Unless you're bug hunting, it's not as if diving requires the reflexes of a cat. Besides, if a diver can deal with narcosis, IMO, a diver can deal with the patch.

The main side effects of the patch, IIRC, are blurry vision and drymouth. I've never had vision issues, but I can live with drymouth. It's a small price to pay for avoiding hours of dryheaves.

Between the patch and ginger for those rough mornings, I'm good to go on liveaboards. For those of you who are prone to motion sickness, ginger is another nice approach - nibbling on a piece can really settle the stomach.

 

[coreypenrose]

Treat the cause not the symptoms. Cause is a disconect between what the eye sees and what your inner ear feels. In short, you inner ear feels motion, your eye needs to see that motion. So don't sit inside the boat looking at objects not in motion. Get out werhe you can see the motion of the ocean to match that of the inner ear.

If you still get sick (could happen especially if you wait to go outside until you feel sick) well, there you are, just be on the down wind rail.

Bland foods like crackers will also help. Avoiding foods that normally upset your stomach are also good ideas (greasy chilli etc).

I've always envied people who can do this. I've tried coping with motion sickness without the aid of drugs, but, for me, once I'm sick, it's like pushing a bus off a cliff. No matter how hard I try, it's unrecoverable.

If you're on a boat for months at a time you can, of course, develop a real tolerance for the motion of the ocean and tricks like bland foods while staring at the horizon as you stand in the middle of the ship will likely be all you need to regain control of a queasy stomach.

Since many divers are landlubbers who don't have the benefit of spending a month at sea to develop some sea legs, I just don't see the point of those of us who are cursed with severe motion sickness even trying to mess around - get the patch and carry ginger and forget about motion sickness. Just go and enjoy your vacation. You should be worrying about your bottom time and sunburn, not about trying to choke down your own vomit while you’re out “having fun”.

 

[moneysavr]

Eat light,Dont drink booze any! night before,get good nights rest,relax.After your dive brief POP a CD in and relax,stay up wind from the pukers. 72.98% is mind over your gut,
All my years on the the water from a small kid, to working on a dinner cruise boat seen it all and it all comes down to folks drinking and eating too much,then one gets sick and look out!it will spread like wild fire thru the boat.
One night cruise the folks were sucking grape wine coolers all the rage at the time,the capt.ran the boat allong the swells to shake the passengers up just a bit,well back at the dock we had to start the fire pumps and hose the boat down and the crap ate the first layer of paint off the rub rails=now thats ACID!

 

[anemone]

The medicine was a "non-drowsy" medicine(dont remember the name). The pharmacist assured me that it was non-drowsy. So I took the pill there and took a cab home. I reached home and slept immediately. I'm glad I didnt try the pill before a dive!

I heard Ginger relieves the stomach well. I will try that. Thanks

Jalal

Hi Jalal,
I'm having the same problem as you. As i've been told..drugs here in Dubai..dont 100% trust the guys from the pharmacy. They always say 'no, problem..it's not causing you drowsiness..' get presciption from a doc to be sure. Well, i guess the traditional way works as well. Also have some lime or lemons with you. That helps as well.

Btw, do you dive often here in Dubai or you go to East Coast?