The night before:
•
Eat and drink
moderately.
•
Take an advance dose
of medicine (see
"OTC Drugs"section)The
morning of the
voyage:
• Eat
only a light
breakfast, avoiding
rich or fatty foods.
•
Go easy on the
coffee.
•
Take a second dose
of drugs.
On the boat:
•
Take a position with
a good outside view,
low and near the
center of the boat
if possible.
•
Avoid smells of
exhaust, fuel, the
galley, and the head
(toilet).
•
Avoid reading or
work requiring
close-up focus (like
tying gear).
•
Move around and get
fresh air.
•
Avoid alcohol and
tobacco.
If
you start feeling
sick:
• Acknowledge
the situation and
tell the captain or
crew.
•
Avoid going below or
into enclosed spaces
If
you think you're
going to throw up:
•Vomit
over the side, on
the downwind side,
or in the head.
Be considerate of
others on the boat.
•
Many people feel
much better after
vomiting.
If
your companions are
seasick:
•Protect
them from injury or
falling overboard.
•
Encourage them to
drink water or sport
drinks to avoid
dehydration and to
keep up essential
electrolytes.
Children are
especially
susceptible to
dehydration.
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Common guidelines:
•
Anyone can get
seasick. It won't
kill you, but for a
while you
may wish it would.
•
If you've had motion
sickness before,
plan ahead and take
an over-the-counter
(OTC) drug before
embarking. Or get a
prescription for
scopolamine or
another powerful
antiemetic (antinausea)
drug.
•
Use an alternative
remedy, if you think
it will work.
•
If you take a drug
you have not had
before, "test drive"
it
ahead of time for
effectiveness and
side effects.
•
On the boat,
position yourself to
minimize the effects
of
boat motion.
•
If you start to get
sick, be considerate
of others. If a
companion gets sick,
protect him/her from
injury or falling
overboard. Give
fluids.
•
If seasickness
strikes, try the
chew-but-don't-swallow
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