Seasickness – SemDIVE!

Seasickness


sea sicknessAfter doing a Florida fresh water spring dive a few days earlier, we were all set for some ocean diving.  My daughter/student was thrilled to finally get into the ocean for the first time. We arrived at South Florida Dive Headquarters (in Pompano Beach) early and we couldn’t wait to dive.  We boarded the Black Pearl early and were the first divers on the boat, so we set up our gear for the first dive, stowed everything else and got ready to go.  Once all divers were aboard, Captain Dennis and Divemaster Nicole provided an orientation to the boat and off we went motoring slowly through the inlet towards the ocean.  As we departed the inlet, we hit a very rough patch as the tide was going out and the wind was blowing in.  I looked around and there was my daughter looking a little wary.  Eventually, seasickness got her and completely ruined her day.  What a bummer!  She was so excited to dive in the ocean for the first time and earn her PADI Boat Diver  certification!  So… that gave me the idea for this blog.

What is seasickness and why does it seem some people get it & some don’t?


Well… don’t be fooled, there are only two types of people: Those that have had seasickness and those that will.  Anyone who spends time on the water will eventually have the opportunity to experience it.  However, some people are naturally more prone to it, while others are better able to avoid it, either instinctively or by lesson.

Seasickness is a type of motion sickness or kinetosis.  In general, it is caused when the brain receives different information from the eyes and middle ears (the vestibular system).  If the vestibular system senses movement, but the eyes don’t see that movement, seasickness may occur.  It generally presents as dizziness, fatigue, or nausea.  If the nausea is not resolved, the sufferer will usually vomit – but the vomiting won’t relieve the seasickness.  BTW… in gathering info for this blog, I learned that nausea means “seasickness” in Greek.

Okay, so background info aside, let’s get to what you probably want to know.

How do we avoid and treat seasickness?

Staying off boats and out of the water is, generally, the absolute prevention for seasickness.  However, if you’re reading this blog, then you’re likely someone who wants to be on boats or in the water quite a bit – so this method won’t work for you!  That said, let’s start with some of the natural preventatives and treatments first!

Once on the boat, remain amidships (that’s near the center for all you landlubbers) and as low as possible.  You will experience the least movement at this point. If you can’t be amidships, try to remain nearer to the stern (or rear).
Relax and breathe fresh air – try to avoid any fumes from the engines. Fresh air is calming.  If you begin to feel symptoms coming on, take a few slow, deep breaths.
Remain where you can see the horizon and focus on a fixed point on the horizon.  This ensures your eyes and ears receive and transmit the same info to your brain!
Realize what is going on and deal with it – without concentrating on feeling sick.
You can do this manually or wear a bracelet.  Using your thumb, press down on your inner arm, three finger widths (about 2”) from your wrist joint.
Ginger is known to assist in decreasing nausea. It can be taken in many forms and works best if taken before symptom onset, but will usually provide some relief afterwards as well.  There are ginger drinks, supplements, cookies or pure ginger. Here’s the catch – it must real ginger, not just ginger flavored.
Avoid thinking about your seasickness.  Keep busy (or as busy as you can under the circumstances).  Sing! Sounds crazy, right?  One diver told me his father taught him to sing when he began to get seasick. I t took his mind off the sickness and actually helped relieve it.  Maybe this is why sailors of old where always singing.
If you know you’re prone to seasickness, eat a bland diet while aboard ship and prior to boarding.  Some sources recommend the BRAT diet used for upset stomach (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast).  You should definitely avoid greasy foods!
Yah, let me know if you can find a boat captain willing to let you take control.  However, being in control of the movement has been known to help as well because you’re aware of what movement should occur and that matches what your vestibular system senses.  It also helps to take your mind off the feelings of seasickness.
Use a method called “riding”:  Sit upright, let your trunk and neck muscles keep your head and upper body balanced over your hips as the boat moves.  Once you get the rhythm, it is far less tiring than fighting to hang on.  If you feel well enough, stand up, walk around and develop your sea legs while you find something to do.


Medications

Some people swear by them.  Just remember, all medications have some side effects.  So make sure you know what you are taking and discuss it with your primary care provider – even if you are taking non-prescription medications.  In some cases it’s best to try these meds before getting on the boat in order to assess how they make you feel. Here are some of the meds that you will tend to see most often:


This is prescription medication. The patch is usually worn behind the ear. Dry mouth is the most notable side effect.
Drowsiness is a side effect but less so with Bonine than with other brands. Some divers recommend taking this medication up to 8 hours before boarding the boat. If possible, sleep on it and take more upon boarding the boat. This medication is occasionally found for sale in dive shops!
(found in Original Dramamine)
Other over the counter antihistamines: meclizine (in Bonine), or diphenhydramine (in Benadryl). Most sources advise taking the recommended dose about an hour before travel.


Personally, I recommend not taking medications when you can avoid them.  But you know yourself and you have to judge what is right for you (with the help of your parents if you’re a young diver and/or your primary care provider).

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Thus far, I remain in the latter group that I mentioned earlier – those that will.  To date I’ve never experienced the misery of seasickness.  However, I realize my turn to chum the water will come and I hope one of the aforementioned methods will help me.  Watching my daughter be so sick was the influence for this blog and I hope the info I’ve gathered to write it will help you and her in the future!

If you’ve tried any other remedy (especially natural) that has worked for you, please respond to this blog and let me know – so your experiences can also help others!

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… and by the way… Special thanks go out to Divemaster Nicole for her patience, understanding, and… cleaning the vomit!   South Florida Diving Headquarters was excellent. Semper DIVE! will be heading down there with students and divers in the future!



1 Comment

  1. Thanks for writing this blog passage dedicated to me. I think I’ll take the advice for my next boat dive!

SemDIVE!

SemDIVE!