I want to have fun!
September 14, 2011 11:10 AM Subscribe
Sailing and seasickness: I'm taking an introduction to sailing class, but sometimes get seasick. What is the best way to make this fun and not just two hours of nausea.
So most of my previous experience has been on larger boats. Generally, if the boat is moving, I am fine. Ferries, even the two hours to Catalina, totally fine. A friend took me on his motorboat around New York Harbor and up the East River and I was okay, except when we were on the boat in the harbor and it was very wavy. Whale watching was torture the whole time we were stopped to look at the whale, especially when the boat turned its side into the waves. I have heard sailing is different and nothing like these big boats, but I think I would feel better if I had a plan.
So: How do I approach this to lessen my chances of being nauseous and sad? We will be on a 30'–40' sloop in the San Francisco Bay and set sail at 9:30 a.m. Dramamine the night before? Those ear things? Ginger helped a little on the whale watch but not to the point that it is is all I want to count on.
Thanks!
So most of my previous experience has been on larger boats. Generally, if the boat is moving, I am fine. Ferries, even the two hours to Catalina, totally fine. A friend took me on his motorboat around New York Harbor and up the East River and I was okay, except when we were on the boat in the harbor and it was very wavy. Whale watching was torture the whole time we were stopped to look at the whale, especially when the boat turned its side into the waves. I have heard sailing is different and nothing like these big boats, but I think I would feel better if I had a plan.
So: How do I approach this to lessen my chances of being nauseous and sad? We will be on a 30'–40' sloop in the San Francisco Bay and set sail at 9:30 a.m. Dramamine the night before? Those ear things? Ginger helped a little on the whale watch but not to the point that it is is all I want to count on.
Thanks!
Honestly, it sounds like you won't get seasick based on what you've said about your experiences. If you do start to feel queasy, watch the horizon so your brain can understand why your body is moving - that can go a long way to alleviating the problem.
Otherwise, pop some dramamine an hour or so before you head out.. and if you're really worried, you could try and get some wrist bands (puts pressure on your wrist right below your palm, which helps).
posted by mbatch at 11:21 AM on September 14, 2011
Otherwise, pop some dramamine an hour or so before you head out.. and if you're really worried, you could try and get some wrist bands (puts pressure on your wrist right below your palm, which helps).
posted by mbatch at 11:21 AM on September 14, 2011
Seasickness is my kryptonite but I still try to mess around in boats as much as possible. What's worked for me (including on a 36' boat in the Bay) has been a double dose of dramamine a few hours beforehand, concentrating hard on the horizon whenever I thought I might be getting queasy, and, wonderfully, eating small amounts of Trader Joe's triple ginger cookies. I've never had any luck with the behind the ear patch or the wristband though.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 11:23 AM on September 14, 2011
posted by villanelles at dawn at 11:23 AM on September 14, 2011
Yeah, take the dramamine an hour before and take some more after you're on the boat as well. It's better to take it way before you start feeling anything.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:23 AM on September 14, 2011
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:23 AM on September 14, 2011
Best answer: Bonine is better than Dramamine. It makes you much less sleepy, and works beautifully. It's also chewable so if you take it after you feel sick you should still be able to swallow it down without getting pukey. I'd take one an hour before the class, and bring some ginger candy (the real stuff) to chew as needed. You don't want an empty stomach; small snacks will help. But from what you've said, I think you'll be fine!
posted by chowflap at 11:37 AM on September 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by chowflap at 11:37 AM on September 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Seconding watching the horizon. This prevented me from losing my lunch over the side many times. And whatever you do, do not go down below and lie down if you start to feel nauseous, even if your body really really wants you to. That was always a one-way ticket to barf town. Have fun!
posted by futureisunwritten at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
posted by futureisunwritten at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
Response by poster: Dramamine doesn't put you all to sleep? To be fair, the last time I took it I was 11, but basically, one pill and I was out. I guess that is why I was wondering about doing the night before. I think I recall someone saying it helped, though I can't see why that be, logically speaking.
posted by dame at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
posted by dame at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
I sailed the very waters you will - and I suffered the old 'afraid you'll die, afraid you won't' deal myself.
I'd recommend the Scopolamine patch - no muss, no fuss, and it transformed the sport for me.
posted by DandyRandy at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
I'd recommend the Scopolamine patch - no muss, no fuss, and it transformed the sport for me.
posted by DandyRandy at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2011
They make less drowsy Darmamine, not non-drowsy.
posted by Ideal Impulse at 11:55 AM on September 14, 2011
posted by Ideal Impulse at 11:55 AM on September 14, 2011
I get seasick on sailboats really easily and the only time I didn't get too nauseous was when, on the advice of friends, I started taking the seasickness tablets 48 hours before the trip. Yes, every four hours for two days. Also I used the ear patch at the same time (but I'd done that before and it hadn't solved the problem).
posted by lollusc at 12:23 PM on September 14, 2011
posted by lollusc at 12:23 PM on September 14, 2011
Whatever you take, start the night before so that if you do throw up, you won't be throwing up half your medication, there'll be some already in your blood stream.
>do not go down below and lie down if you start to feel nauseous, even if your body really really wants you to.
My experience differs - I was just on an ocean racing yacht in the Bay of Biscay and on the really rough nights it was lying very still in my bunk that enabled me to feel fine. As soon as I tried to move, not so much. Partly depends how strongly it smells of diesel down there/whether there's a hatch you can open for some fresh air.
posted by penguin pie at 12:29 PM on September 14, 2011
>do not go down below and lie down if you start to feel nauseous, even if your body really really wants you to.
My experience differs - I was just on an ocean racing yacht in the Bay of Biscay and on the really rough nights it was lying very still in my bunk that enabled me to feel fine. As soon as I tried to move, not so much. Partly depends how strongly it smells of diesel down there/whether there's a hatch you can open for some fresh air.
posted by penguin pie at 12:29 PM on September 14, 2011
I think you'll be fine with just (1) dramamine and some anti-acid to avoid stimulating the vagal nerve. Drink only water and avoid diaretics like coffee, tea, or soda (unless its the miracle soda, Ginger Ale).
If it helps any, I fare much better on sailboats than motorboats. I think it has something to do with the way the keel balances things out and reduces drift...thus making less work for my inner ears.
posted by samsara at 12:35 PM on September 14, 2011
If it helps any, I fare much better on sailboats than motorboats. I think it has something to do with the way the keel balances things out and reduces drift...thus making less work for my inner ears.
posted by samsara at 12:35 PM on September 14, 2011
A 30-40' sloop sounds fairly large to me, so you may be OK. When I started sailing years ago, I used the Scopolamine patch and felt horrid...until I took it off. Your results may vary, but keep in mind that the cure is sometimes worse than the sickness.
Nthing the advice to watch the horizon, and don't go below whatever you do. Ginger tea or candies might help as well. Good luck!
posted by Gusaroo at 12:38 PM on September 14, 2011
Nthing the advice to watch the horizon, and don't go below whatever you do. Ginger tea or candies might help as well. Good luck!
posted by Gusaroo at 12:38 PM on September 14, 2011
I'll second the Bonine rather than Dramamine thing. Dramamine knocked my family out cold last time we had a problem with seasickness. I took Bonine instead and was the only one awake on the whole boat.
The only novel advice I have is this: watch the weather. A sailboat under sail (or hove to) in decent wind is going to have a fairly comfortable motion. But very light winds leave the boat less able to hold itself steady, and the Pacific swell will produce a stomach-lurching roll. So maybe reschedule (if possible) if the forecast calls for light/variable winds - or use the forecast to determine whether you need to take anything.
posted by richyoung at 12:47 PM on September 14, 2011
The only novel advice I have is this: watch the weather. A sailboat under sail (or hove to) in decent wind is going to have a fairly comfortable motion. But very light winds leave the boat less able to hold itself steady, and the Pacific swell will produce a stomach-lurching roll. So maybe reschedule (if possible) if the forecast calls for light/variable winds - or use the forecast to determine whether you need to take anything.
posted by richyoung at 12:47 PM on September 14, 2011
edit: I meant to say Bonine in my original comment, not Dramamine..
Anyhow, one more bit of anecdotal information: I always got car sick as a kid and occasionally seasick and it was always when the weather was overcast. I suspect the gray of the sky and the gray of the road/water made for a more uniform view which made it harder for the brain to understand the motion it was undergoing. Not that you can do anything about the weather..
posted by mbatch at 12:55 PM on September 14, 2011
Anyhow, one more bit of anecdotal information: I always got car sick as a kid and occasionally seasick and it was always when the weather was overcast. I suspect the gray of the sky and the gray of the road/water made for a more uniform view which made it harder for the brain to understand the motion it was undergoing. Not that you can do anything about the weather..
posted by mbatch at 12:55 PM on September 14, 2011
Best answer: Bonine does not work for me, or for my extemely sea-sickness-prone daughter. The last time we both took it before going out on our sailboat we both got nauseous, and I actually vomited. I also find it problematic because one pill is supposed to last all day, and that makes me nervous about taking more if the first pill doesn't work. I feel comfortable taking more dramamine if I need it. Yes, it does make me sleepy sometimes, but that's better than seasickness.
My plan calls for taking a dramamine when I first get up in the morning. Then (assuming it's been a few hours) another before getting on the boat. I also use the wrist bands, and I found some awesome ginger gum (at the drugstore, same place as dramamine and other seasickness remedies). I start chewing it on the way to the boat, and pop it again as needed.
The other things to keep in mind, as others have said: face forward and keep the horizon in sight. And don't go below if at all possible. That will trigger nausea in me no matter how many remedies I've used.
posted by Bresciabouvier at 1:11 PM on September 14, 2011
My plan calls for taking a dramamine when I first get up in the morning. Then (assuming it's been a few hours) another before getting on the boat. I also use the wrist bands, and I found some awesome ginger gum (at the drugstore, same place as dramamine and other seasickness remedies). I start chewing it on the way to the boat, and pop it again as needed.
The other things to keep in mind, as others have said: face forward and keep the horizon in sight. And don't go below if at all possible. That will trigger nausea in me no matter how many remedies I've used.
posted by Bresciabouvier at 1:11 PM on September 14, 2011
Dramamine. (Those pressure point wrist things are crap. The whale-watching cruise I went on included them. I have never thrown up so much in my entire life all put together as I did in those three hours.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 2:13 PM on September 14, 2011
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 2:13 PM on September 14, 2011
I worked on a natural gas drilling rig on Lake Erie back in college and the only thing that helped me was a time release patch. I think it was a Transderm but I don't remember needing a prescription (1980s Canada). You might want to experiment ahead of time with whatever you decide on using to be certain you don't have any adverse reactions.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:31 PM on September 14, 2011
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:31 PM on September 14, 2011
Dramamine makes me sleepy. A marina will have sea-bandsbracelets that are supposed to work on accupressure points. I have friends who say they work. Don't eat too much beforehand. Sip water or tea; it really helps me settle my stomach. Chewing gum can also help; the action of swallowing quells queasiness. (say that 10 times, heh)
posted by theora55 at 5:36 PM on September 14, 2011
posted by theora55 at 5:36 PM on September 14, 2011
Get plenty of sleep: go to bed early and tired.
Eat something beforehand and take sweeties to suck on or chewing gum with you.
Eyes on the horizon, or failing that, on something heavyish and dangly.
And please, if you do need to worship the porcelain god of the sea, CLIP ON, it's a good way to fall overboard otherwise. Then you're cold, wet, and seasick.
Have a great time!
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:18 AM on September 15, 2011
Eat something beforehand and take sweeties to suck on or chewing gum with you.
Eyes on the horizon, or failing that, on something heavyish and dangly.
And please, if you do need to worship the porcelain god of the sea, CLIP ON, it's a good way to fall overboard otherwise. Then you're cold, wet, and seasick.
Have a great time!
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:18 AM on September 15, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
interestingly enough trying to google a name or brand (they're cheap generic things at drug stores) turned up an ask thread about seasickness.
http://ask.metafilter.com/73829/Motion-sickness-relief-wristbands-any-good
posted by anti social order at 11:18 AM on September 14, 2011