Motion Sickness?

[Don-MT]

In a few weeks I have to opportunity to crew on a sailboat moving from Astoria, OR to the northern part of Puget Sound. As a Montana lake sailor, I have never had any difficulty with motion sickness. However, this will be my first time sailing coastal/offshore and I would hate to have “issues” with motion sickness. What is the best way to deal with motion sickness? Products to use, prevention, “tricks of the trade”, old wives tales; what works the best?Thanks!Shine On!Don

 

[Paul F]

bring cookies not chuck them

The best I have found is taking the herb ginger. I used to sail on Lake Michigan a lot and would take a teaspoon of ginger from the ordinary ginger herb can. Anything ginger helps, ginger-ale, cookies, etc. It is one of the only things that can bring you back after you are seasick. Have fun don't worry to much about it you will have likely be o.k. The link below has more info.

 

[48dodge]

Ginger Ale

Most brands of ginger ale contain no ginger in them. You can find real ginger ale but it can be pretty strong stuff. The regular stuff does seem to help me with nausea for some reason, though (ie Canada Dry) Candied ginger is good, too. You can find it in the Asian section of the grocery store. Remember to eat everything BEFORE you start to feel sick, because you usually won't feel like putting strong tasting food past your lips when you start feeling rough.

 

[NautiDuck]

Good Luck

We've been getting hit by a series of storms. Good luck.

 

[Capt. Ed]

no worse feeling in the world

I swear it's attitude ,if you think you will be sea sick you will. You can try all the preventive measures out there . I am sure they work to some extent . But I have found keeping busy , keeping your mind off of the problem helps. When I see those green eyes of a crew go teary I put them on the helm . Does it work yup. for day sails anyway . For longer trips it might not work. I had the fortune to be on a very tender boat in the navy. The first 3 days I wished I was dead . Then when I knew there was no way out , bam ,no more sea sick , as a mater of fact the rougher it got the better I liked it! Good luck and find a way to be confident you won't get sick .

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Don --Talk the skipper out of it.

This time of year is no time to be off the Washington/Oregon Coast. Bad storms come up quickly, and there is no place to put in: all the inlets are breaking inlets and the Coast Guard will deny you access. Many sailors have had to be plucked off their boats by the Coast Guard and even some coast guard in self righting surf boats have been lost. The winds are predominantly from the North as is the current. You should make the trip later when you can expect a nice sail.None of that means that you will have a bad ride, just that it is bad often enough so that the prudent sailor just doesn't do it. By the way, sometimes the Straights of Juan De Fuca are no picnic. I have had to put in to Port Angeles to get out of a short steep sea which buried my bow on almost every wave, and that wave would roll over the deck all the way to my dodger.Good luck whatever you do.

 

[48dodge]

There is a worse feeling in the world

Getting seasick on a boat that has a person that doesn't get seasick and doesn't believe in it! I agree that a lot is in your head, though. I was once on a boat deep sea fishing with a buddy, there was a huge storm that blew through the day before so the water had waves coming every which way, but there was absolutely no breeze. I would've been fine if we were trolling, but he decided to drop-fish. Worst I've felt in a boat. Another friend that has never been seasick threw up twice.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Not enough sleep

For me, lack of sleep really increases sea sickness. The first time I sailed my boat, I was excited and didn't sleep much the night before. I was inbound in the Venice Fl inlet when it hit hard. I blasted several horizontal rounds of chum over the stern. After about ten long, loud heaves there was nothing left. Just as I fell silent, I received a standing ovation from approx 50 people along the shore. Seeing my wife laugh untill she cried, I believe it was worth it.

 

[newsailor06]

I am prone to seasickness....

About 3 years ago my wife met her sister and husband in St. Marten to sail with them for a week. They had recommended the product MotionEaze.. It can be found online and I think some drug stores have it now. It is a small bottle and you put a couple of drops behind each ear. Whether or not it was psychological or really works I don't know. I only know that I have never had so much fun sailing in big waves and never got seasick. :Your mileage may vary..'

 

[Bob V]

Don, what Nautiduck said

I live right at the north end of Puget Sound where it joins the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The weather at this time of year can make walking difficult much less sailing. We are out for a week down in Seattle but we left a day later than planned because it was blowing 51 knots. The area around the entrance to the Strait (West end) can be particularly nasty.Here is a link to Washington State Ferry Weather. They have real time wind speeds and good marine forcasts. It could be rodeo water out there. Hang on tight and let 'er buck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

There is NO "best", Don

Suggest you read WM's Advisors on seasickness remedies. Each works differently for different people. The trick is to try them out first and see what works for you, and you need to use them before you leave. That just doesn't seem favorable to your situation.Fair winds and safe journey.

 

[paulj]

I'm ginger snap wife is a bracelet

Products to use for prevention of seasickness is: “tricks of the trade”, old wives tales and whatever works the best.Bring them all...By the way what size sailboat will you be on?Best of sailing time....paulj

 

[Ross]

If you can eat crystalized ginger it may be the best

Myth busters did a segment on this subject and found that ginger was the only effective remedy without adverse side effects.

 

[Don-MT]

Thanks!

Thanks for your advice and concern. The trip is very loosely scheduled for early/mid April, awaiting an adequate weather window. The boat is a recently refurbished Palmer Johnson Standfast 40.I have never had an issue with motion sickness, even as a pilot, but preparation and prevention seems like a good idea.Shine On!Don

 

[dancing bear]

Trader Joe's Triple Ginger Snaps

Loaded with ginger, you can see it and really good too. My 7 year old spewed three times in a row without ginger snaps, and since we adopted this plan he has been on the boat countless times without getting sick.I give him a couple every 15 minutes for an hour before he gets on the boat, hes eats a couple an hour while on the boat.

 

[John]

Not in the head

Maybe for some, seasickness is in the head - a matter of expectations. The first time I sailed outside the bay, I had never been sea sick before, but I got hit pretty bad that time. In fact, I donated the greasy fries my friend had bought me to the fish. Since I'd never been sea sick before, I certainly wasn't expecting it that time. I'll try ginger tea next time outside the gate.

 

[Capt. Sid]

Scopalamine

My friend my heart goes out to you in your dilemma. Seasickness can hit anyone at anytime. I have seen some of the saltiest sailors down on the deck or head over the downwind side when certain conditions arise. Everyone has there own secret remedy that they swear by. Mine is this, Hydrate yourself before leaving the dock. I mean really pound the fluids, and keep it up the whole time at sea. Get a prescription for scopalamine patches and use one at least 4 hours before you leave the dock. Avoid greasy foods, eat salty snacks and fresh fruit. Stay in the middle of the boat when possible where the motion is less. If feeling unwell avoid going below. If diesel engines are running stay out of the fumes. Avoid any strong smells. For me a sloppy low running swell from the beam is my trigger if I'm going to have problems. I never know before hand how its gong to affect me so I always follow my regimen before leaving. If I plan to dive, I also take a heavy dose of Ibuprofen to combat inflammation in the inner ear. I truly hope this helps, I know that seasickness is like having the effects of overdrinking without the drunk. And have "painted" the sides of a few boats.

 

[RichH]

Agree with Cptn Sid. .....

in addition, keep your eye on the horizon and stay on deck if queezy. That will usually get you 'over the hump' with a queezy stomach. Everyone is different ... I prefer chewing on fresh ginger root and use a LARGE TIGHT BELT pulled up tight on my pants, sometimes I'll wear a second belt across the 'middle' when the ocean swells are 'high' ... everyone is different. Hydration for most seem the be the key ... LOTS of fluids. For most folks, it usually takes 2-3 days to be over the queezies. MY problem is being land-sick ... usually no seasickness but I get LAND sick for days (the ground keeps severely moving somehow) when I leave the boat after a long passage. Caution --- if ALL sea-sickness remedies fail and you meet Mr. Mal deMar and his sidekick "Ralph' ... what ever you do, if you feel a 'hairy ring' coming up your throat during a 'spasm' ... quickly and forcefully SWALLOW to push that ring back down. If you dont, and that hairy ring escapes .... your entire body will turn totally inside out' !!!! ;-)I think sometimes that getting seasick is totally a state of mind ... dont THINK about getting sick, dont talk yourself into becoming seasick, 'change the subject' when speaking to yourself ... but then again everyone is different. ;-)

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

wrist braclets

All of the methods mentioned are common, and like others have said, some will work better than others for some people. There does not seem to be one cure all. One of the things that does work for my wife however are the wrist braclets made for motion sickness. Without them she cannot read in the car without feeling queasy. The wrist bands use accupressure on the inside of the wrist. She feels the difference immediately. They are about $20 at most sensible drug store type outlets. Definately worth a trial.Ginger works for a buddy of mine. Decreased food and alcohol and keeping my eye on the horizon and keeping busy works for me, as does dabbing the back of the neck, forehead, and jugular area with water.

 

[rad]

Electronic wrist band

We use an electronic wrist band and it works every time. When the symptoms appear we start using the band. 10 minutes later the sickness is almost gone