How to Prevent Seasickness

It has been said that seasickness is 99% preventable, but not very curable. Once it sets in, it can ruin your sailing trip. The best strategy is to prepare beforehand. Below are some options in order of effectiveness to prevent

seasickness.

Methods of Prevention:

Scopolamine Also called “the patch”, it requires a prescription from your doctor. This very effective small round patch is worn behind your ear. Try wearing it at home before you go on a sailing trip. There is a small percentage of people who have adverse side effect to Scopolamine, so it is best to determine that it works properly for you with no side effects before you are out in the ocean.

Bonine

You can purchase Bonine (pills) over the counter, and I would recommend these over any other medication. Dramamine has severe side effects and does not seem as effective as Bonine. It does make some people drowsy but not as much as other mediations.

Hot tip: It is best to get this medication working BEFORE you depart on your trip. I recommend taking one dose the night before you cast off, and then as directed for the trip. Once you start to feel seasick, it is TOO LATE to take any medication.

Sea Band

These wristbands work by pressure point therapy. They actually work and I have known several sailors that swear by them. They can be found at many drug stores as a morning sickness cure, or at marine chandleries. Again, put them on before you head out into the ocean. There are electronic versions that send a pulse, but the non-electric ones are simple and work just as well.

Cures Once Seasickness Sets in:

• Take the Helm! At the first sign, get out into the fresh air and get busy. Looking out over the horizon while keeping the boat on course works wonders.

• Ginger Tea. Have some fresh ginger aboard. Grate the ginger and mix with some boiling water. Strain out the pieces and you have just made a refreshing tea that will calm your stomach. Ginger candy or cookies also works. Bring some with you.

• Lie down and close your eyes. Sea sickness can occur when your peripheral vision, close focus vision and inner ear fluids send conflicting information to your brain. Closing your eyes eliminates this conflict.

• Stay hydrated and keep something in your stomach. Especially if you vomit, take sips of water and snack on mild foods like crackers to stay hydrated and absorb stomach acids.

  
  

Other helpful tips:

• Do not overdo it the night before at dinner or at breakfast on the day of departure. It is best not to have an empty stomach, but being bloated will work against you.

• Avoid extra spicy or rich foods prior to departure.

• Avoid alcohol prior to the trip. Alcohol in your system will make things much worse.

• Eat small snacks throughout the day while underway rather than large meals. It is best to keep something in your stomach.

• Do your navigating and cooking while it is calm. Once the waves pick up, it is best not to spend time staring at the charts or to spend too much time cooking. Heat and serve meals are best. Better yet, make some sandwiches ahead of time that are ready to go.

• Do not stay down below unless you are sleeping. Get out into the fresh air.

• Do not read a book or stare at your phone. Get your eyes up!

• Unfortunately, being nervous about seasickness can bring on seasickness. Counteract this by being well prepared with the remedies listed here.  

If all else fails just remember, you will not die! You may feel miserable for a while, but you will get better. It can take a day or two to get acclimated to the motion of being offshore. Extended trips are a marathon, not a sprint. Get plenty of off-watch rest, go slow and take care of yourself.