Tips for Sea Sickness

Everyone has experienced it at least once in their life. And if you haven't you're either super lucky, or just need to get out more. 

Motion sickness is such a horrible feeling, especially when you're on a boat, miles from shore. It is my absolute fear.

Why does motion sickness happen? To talk science, our body’s primary motion-sensors include the inner-ear, our eyes and deeper tissues of the body surface. The inner-ear sensors detect changes in acceleration rather than motion, such as the movement a boat makes when bobbing on top of waves in the ocean. When our body’s internal instruments sense these acceleration changes, and those changes aren’t confirmed by other sensory inputs, such as visual feedback from our eyes, the conflict in the sets of data they deliver to the brain can trigger motion sickness. Scientists aren’t sure what causes the nausea that comes with motion sickness, but the most popular idea is that the conflicting data from multiple sensors causes the brain to assume that toxins have been ingested, and the body’s automatic response is to internally induce vomiting. Gross.

Our trip out on Kachemak Bay was, at times, a bit of a rocky one.  But luckily, by following the tips for sea sickness below, I didn't end up feeding the fishes and was one happy camper, or boater in this case.

Keep hydrated

Continue to drink plenty of fluids while on board. This will help keep your stomach more full and will help your body metabolize food and process everything else better.

Eat

A meal before you board is highly important. For most people, an empty stomach is more sensitive to being irritated, so filling it with food 45-60 minutes before leaving shore is smart. Load up on carbohydrates at breakfast and avoid acidic and greasy foods, as they may contribute to motion sickness.

Keep your mind clear

Even a mild hangover can easily turn into motion sickness. Likewise, fatigue also predisposes you to motion sickness.

Position yourself in the centre

Brace yourself at the centre of the boat where the rocking and rolling is less amplified. Standing in different locations on the boat’s deck will result in different amounts of acceleration being transferred to your body.  

Apply pressure

For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has included acupuncture or acupressure on the inside of the wrist, at a spot called P6, as a way to suppress the nausea associated with motion sickness. You can find simple pressure bands like Sea-Band and Acuband at your local drug store, usually right beside anti-nausea medicines. These are bracelets with dots that, when worn correctly, touch acupressure points on your wrist. They have never been proven effective, but some people swear by them.

Prescription meds

One of the most widely recommended remedies is Transderm Scop, a scopolamine patch applied behind the ear at least eight hours before exposure, with effectiveness for up to three days. Available only by prescription, the Scop is only preventive, not a treatment, and acts by reducing activity of nerve fibres in your inner ear. 

Over-the-counter meds

Meds like Dramamine, Bonine and even antihistamines like Benadryl can help quell motion sickness by blocking sensory-nerve transmission, which is a fancy way of saying they interrupt the flow of information from various places like the inner ear to the brain. One common side effect with these medicines is sleepiness, so be weary if driving the boat. Whatever medicine you chose, make sure to take it at least 30 minutes before you board for best effects. After you feel queasy, it may be too late for pills to help. 

Note: Dramamine is my favourite prevention method. I have not been able to find it in Canada, so I always load up when I'm in the States. I go for the non-drowsy version.

Watch the horizon

At the most basic level, motion sickness is a matter of sensory mismatch. When you're sitting on a boat that's rolling on the water, the body, inner ear and eyes all send different signals to the brain. Your brain gets confused and you get queasy. Stop tinkering with your computer and equipment and look out on the horizon, which usually appears very stable. Avoid visually focusing on things that are close-by, and most especially, avoid reading for more than a few seconds at a time. Also, face the direction the boat is traveling.Your peripheral vision will see the ocean swells that you feel. The whole picture will make more sense to your brain.

Distract yourself

Relax. Anxiety contributes to motion sickness. Those who are frightened by the ocean and the movement of the boat, are more likely to become motion sick. Instead think about the fun activities planned, or the beautiful sights around you.

Make the best of it

Ya, it blows that your head may be hanging over the edge, feeding the fishes. But, let's face it, you're on a boat, in the water, and chances are probably some place pretty incredible. So why not make the best of it?


Can't forget to add my husband's 'unofficial' tip for sea sickness: Before you head out on the water, take a shot of hard alcohol. You won't know if the feeling is the buzz or sea sickness. This doubles as a cheers to the Captain. (Please note, this has not been scientifically proven, only SW tested and approved.)

Do you have any tips for combatting sea sickness?