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Motion sickness

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(@almason)
Posts: 22
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

My husband and I are planning our first trip to St Thomas for March 09. We are interested in doing a day or evening sail, if not both. However, I get motion sickness pretty easy and I am a little unsure about doing so. Anyone else had problems with this? Or are you just enjoying yourself so much you forget about the motion!!! =]
I am counting down the days and months......I can't wait!

 
Posted : June 16, 2008 3:29 pm
(@fl-barrier-islander)
Posts: 568
Honorable Member
 

I never got seasick until the day we anchored our sailboat at/near Dead Chest. The Captain and some of our crew went diving snorkeling while I and two other crew members stayed on board. The other two who stayed on board were turning green so I offered to go down below and bring some ice chips up for them. 2 seconds in the galley and I was back up on deck as green as they were. Ever since that time, if we're at anchor and the seas are up, I'm not feeling too good. But, as long as the sail is underway or if we're moored in a relatively calm place, I'm just fine. It's different for everyone. But, take some motion sickness pills before you leave the dock and most of all DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. Many of my friends who are prone to sea sickness tell me they are fine until they start THINKING about sea sickness. THEN, they start feeling wooosey.

 
Posted : June 16, 2008 3:51 pm
(@billd)
Posts: 660
Honorable Member
 

If you are moving you generally don't get motion sickness. It is more likly to hapen when you are anchored. Day sails are pretty good and if there is a good wind, as there is most of the time, you will be OK.

You might want to do and get a perscripton form your docttor just in case.

So lie back and enjoy the islands. We love to have people come here.

billd

 
Posted : June 16, 2008 4:51 pm
(@future-islander)
Posts: 909
Prominent Member
 

Almason:

Mrs. F.I. gets motion sickness (even in a car), but is a certified sailor with the ASA (sail boats).

This is what works for her.....

1. Wrist bands (can be purchased at any pharmacy) ....she swears by them.
2. Bonine pills (non-prescription). (preventative - she takes one before going aboard)
3. Ginger Root Pills and gum. (taken if you feel queasy)
4. Motion-Eze....a solution placed behind the ears....again she swears by this too.

So far we've been on rough seas, slept on sailboats for up to a week and she's never been sick. So I guess this stuff works.

I'm one of those lucky ones that never gets seasick.

Regards,

F.I.

 
Posted : June 16, 2008 5:03 pm
(@joanne)
Posts: 171
Estimable Member
 

I don't suffer from motion sickness, but I always carry a small plastic bag of crystallized ginger (available in the spice aisle of any supermarket) with me in "situations" where a sensitive person might be bothered. It's extremely good for nausea of any kind, including that which is self-inflicted via rum !

 
Posted : June 17, 2008 9:41 am
(@mahojim)
Posts: 284
Reputable Member
 

That's a great point about the "Rum-Factor"! I use 'travel ease' wrist bands. It might be a mind over matter situation, and I look like a dorky tourist perhaps, but it's better than feeling woozy. They work for me.
Smiles-
MJ

 
Posted : June 17, 2008 11:34 am
(@almason)
Posts: 22
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thank you all for the advice! I will definately have to check into some of these remedies. I don't want to be hurling over the side of the boat when I should be enjoying my time in paradise!! =]

 
Posted : June 17, 2008 11:37 am
(@rdb1204)
Posts: 1
 

Try using Bonine. They are in chewable (raspberry) tablet form. My wife gets seasickness and has been fine since using Bonine's. They also are a "non drowsy" option which is always a plus. Good luck and have a great time.

 
Posted : June 17, 2008 5:49 pm
 TomB
(@tomb)
Posts: 763
Prominent Member
 

So here is my hint for a non pharmaceutical and hopefully avoid providing chum for your snorkeling companions 😛

Make sure you have a full stomach! (tu)
Lots of carbs. Eat Bread (French toast or oatmeal for breakfast) (tu)
Never loose sight of the horizon. (tu)
What ever you do - Do not go below! (td) there is no horizon down there
Fresh Air - if you are feeling sick 😮 start eating bread or crackers again
Keep hydrated andnot with pain killers or rum punch - sweet drinks are for land 😛

If you do feel bad when the day sail stops make sure you get off the boat and get wet. (tu)
Even if you do not snorkel - just hang on the swim platform

And if you did party too hard the night before and get on the boat hung over I would not acted surprised that you getting sick
The night before is usually not the best night to try to beat your bushwacker record. 😉

Oh yeah stick a plastic bag in your stuff that you know where it is and can get to it quickly... the crew will thank you 😮

 
Posted : June 18, 2008 7:12 am
(@Larissa)
Posts: 1
 

I live down here and work on a snorkeling boat. First of all, most importantly, relax! If you are nervous, it tends to cramp up your stomach and cause you to think you're sea-sick when you're not. Secondly, fresh air is a good one and stay away from coffee. I wouldn't recommend a FULL stomach, but definitely eat some carbs. And as a person who works on a catamaran, let me strongly recommend that to you. First off, catamarans if you aren't familiar, have two 'hulls' which keep the boat stable in the water. Whereas a monohull will rock back and forth and side to side, a cat will not. If you are really that worried, or are sure you'll be sick, go the catamaran route. They are faster and more fun (in my opinion!) anyway and will give you a much better ride. I've hosted probably 1,500 guests in 6 omnths and seen only 3 peole get mildly sea-sick on our cat. HAVE FUN!!!!!

 
Posted : June 22, 2008 3:21 pm
(@mahojim)
Posts: 284
Reputable Member
 

I made the mistake of enjoying Larry's Landing 'Pour your own bar', once the night before parasailing. Unless you like paying $225.00 to throw up all over yourself in mid-air.-:$) Plan ahead, and don't make the same mistake I made!!!
Smiles-
MJ

 
Posted : June 24, 2008 5:52 pm
(@gcgem)
Posts: 97
Estimable Member
 

Over the counter Bonine pills are great. The key is to take them 24 hours before you are on the water, then keep it up. We have using them for years and really has made a difference!

 
Posted : June 24, 2008 6:50 pm
 cw
(@cw)
Posts: 1
 

I'll take this a step further...I get motion sickness snorkeling! I am usually good for 10-15 minutes and then I have to head to shore. I've not ever thought of using the Bonine pills prior...may try that this time. Anyone else have this problem.

 
Posted : June 24, 2008 8:05 pm
(@almason)
Posts: 22
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

CW- Wow, I hope I don't get that bad! 😉

Thanks all for the advice! I am going to try some of these remedies back home when I am feeling motion sick - then I will know what works for me when we go!

 
Posted : June 25, 2008 11:32 am
 TomB
(@tomb)
Posts: 763
Prominent Member
 

CW- Wow, I hope I don't get that bad! 😉

Thanks all for the advice! I am going to try some of these remedies back home when I am feeling motion sick - then I will know what works for me when we go!

Or you can have fun with it and do some serious experimentation to try to recreate your planned environment

Get all the ingredients for a Bushwacker (see other thread)
Let start with 3 poolside in the sun as our basis
Upon completion of the 3rd drink
Get you sweeite to take you for a drive around the block quickly
Make sure you are in the back car on the floor no visual reference to outside
NO AC – allowed
After 6 times around the block start eliminating remedies,

Caution: the neighbors may not be real happy every time your car comes around the block, you may want to go to another neighborhood

The next weekend repeat but start with 5 Bushwackers as the basis
By the time you get to STJ you will be ready for any boat trip!

:$) :$) :$)

 
Posted : June 25, 2008 2:26 pm
(@cocosmom)
Posts: 1
 

I am very sensitive to pills for motion sickness, even Bonine makes me sleep.
Wristbands are THE BEST!!!! Wear them snorkeling...they work. I have used them for 22 years. Even on a boat the day after a northeaster where walking was even a problem. It is an acupuncture point on your wrist.

 
Posted : June 28, 2008 9:39 am
(@mahojim)
Posts: 284
Reputable Member
 

Motion sickness while snorkeling? How fast are you kicking?!?
-Just kidding.
TomB-I'll stick with the wristbands, and stay away from the "Pour your own " bars.-
Smiles-
MJ

 
Posted : June 29, 2008 10:24 am

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