How to Avoid and Manage Seasickness While Sailing:
Seasickness is a common challenge for new and experienced sailors alike. It occurs when your inner ear, eyes, and body send conflicting signals to the brain, causing nausea, dizziness, and general discomfort. Fortunately, there are effective ways to prevent and manage seasickness, so it doesn’t ruin your sailing adventure. This post covers essential tips to help you stay comfortable on the water.
What Causes Seasickness?
Seasickness results from motion sickness, which happens when your body senses movement but your eyes and inner ear experience a disconnect. For example, your boat may be pitching and rolling, but if you’re focusing on a stationary object like a book or screen, your brain receives mixed signals. This mismatch triggers nausea and other symptoms.
Preventing Seasickness Before You Sail
- Choose Calm Conditions: If you’re prone to seasickness, plan your trip when the weather forecast indicates calm seas. Avoid windy or stormy days, as rough waters increase the boat’s movement.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Wisely: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can worsen seasickness. Avoid heavy, greasy, or acidic foods before sailing. Opt for light, starchy foods like crackers or bread. An empty stomach can make nausea worse, but overeating can also trigger it.
- Get Plenty of Rest: Fatigue can make seasickness more likely. Make sure you’re well-rested before heading out.
- Take Preventative Medication: Over-the-counter remedies like Dramamine, Bonine, or Meclizine can help prevent symptoms if taken before sailing. Follow the instructions and note that some medications can cause drowsiness. Scopolamine patches are an option for longer trips, as they provide continuous relief for up to 72 hours.
- Wear Acupressure Bands: Special wristbands that apply pressure to acupressure points (such as Sea-Bands) are believed to reduce nausea. Many sailors find these helpful.
Managing Seasickness While on Board
- Stay in Fresh Air and Look at the Horizon: If you start feeling unwell, move to the open deck. Fresh air can help, and focusing on the horizon provides a stable visual reference to match the motion you feel.
- Sit or Lie Down in a Stable Position: Sit near the center of the boat, where the movement is less pronounced. If you lie down, try to keep your head aligned with the boat’s motion to minimize nausea.
- Avoid Focusing on Close Objects: Reading, looking at a phone, or working on tasks that require close focus can trigger seasickness. Instead, keep your gaze on distant objects or the water.
- Control Your Breathing: Deep, steady breaths can help calm your nervous system and reduce nausea. Practice slow inhaling and exhaling while seated comfortably.
- Stay Active and Distracted: Sometimes, engaging in tasks like adjusting sails or steering the boat can reduce the feeling of sickness. The physical activity provides sensory input that matches the boat’s motion.
Natural Remedies to Try
Ginger, whether in the form of tea, candies, or supplements, is widely recognized for its effectiveness in alleviating nausea. Similarly, sipping peppermint tea or inhaling peppermint oil can provide soothing relief to an upset stomach. Additionally, chamomile tea, known for its calming properties, may also help ease feelings of nausea.
When to Stop and Recover
Ginger, in forms such as tea, candies, or supplements, is well-known for alleviating nausea, while peppermint tea and oil can soothe the stomach, and chamomile tea offers calming properties that may also relieve nausea.
Seasickness Tips for Long Voyages
If you’re planning an extended sailing trip, there are several steps you can take to help manage seasickness. First, when you need to go below deck, try to minimize your time in that confined space, as it can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally, building tolerance over time can be beneficial; regular sailing in small doses allows your body to become accustomed to the boat’s motion. It’s also important to inform your crew about your susceptibility to seasickness so they can provide support and assistance if needed. By taking these precautions, you can enhance your sailing experience and enjoy your time on the water.
What If a Crew Member Gets Seasick?
If someone on board becomes seasick, there are several steps you can take to assist them effectively: first, move them to a stable and open-air location to alleviate discomfort; then, offer them water and light snacks to help settle their stomach. Encourage them to focus on the horizon, as this can help reduce nausea, and take over any tasks they were managing, such as steering or sail trimming, to allow them the time and space they need to rest and recover.
Seasickness doesn’t have to ruin your sailing adventure. With proper planning, awareness, and a few handy remedies, you can reduce the risk and enjoy your time on the water. For beginners, it’s essential to be patient—building tolerance takes time. Whether you’re sailing for a few hours or several days, following these tips will help you stay comfortable and make the most of your experience. Safe sailing!