Learning to Sail - Worried by Seasickness

SailorMatey · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

Hi all,

I've just discovered sailing and started taking lessons, initially in dinghies with a view to moving to larger boats. To say I'm enjoying it would be a huge understatement, and I'm looking forward to progressing quickly and building my experience.

My worry is that I get seasick relatively easily. I scuba dive, and on a dive boat I'm generally one of the first to hurl. Confirming this, I went out on a 40ft yacht with some friends this week and was fine for around 1.5hrs, but when the wind picked up and we started to sail up-wind I was wretching over the side. Everyone else on board was fine.

I'm worried that I might not be able to do this fully and safely.

What is everyone’s experience with this? Will I build up a tolerance with longer exposure, or am I a lost cause who should stick to golf?

Any and all responses, views, opinions or random insults appreciated.

AjariBonten · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

Most likely you will get over it with exposure.

That being said, it may take more than you are willing to give it; everybody is different.

Don't judge on Diving experiences, though. I find that the heat generated by suiting up often makes me sickish; plus the fact that I have to take my glasses off.

Dramamine works great for me; but not for everyone.

There is a good thread about seasickness going right now, check it out.

Oh, and welcome to sailing and SailNet

Here's the link to the thread.....
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showth...hlight=seasick

Andyman · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

When I was in the Navy, on a boat, I used to getr sick everyday...and I mean every single day. I started taking meclazine and after a while I was fine. Took about a week or two before I could stop the drug and get acclimated to the rolling of the ship. I also found that by looking at the horizon I could stop the sick feeling. Eat light before you go out and don't eat much that is acidic.

Andy

rennisaint · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

Check out the sea-sickness advice on other threads here. The general consensus is, you need to PREVENT seasickness not try to do something about it after you start feeling bad. You will quickly learn what your very early signals for seasickness are, and using these you can prevent major seasickness. Some things to try in increasing order of seriousness are: crystalizeed ginger (stick a wad in your cheek and suck on it), any of the antihistamine type medicines (if they don't make you pass out like me), meclazine as mentioned before, scopalmine patch (have to start taking it 24hrs ahead, or in extreme cases, and if you have a doctor friend, get a prescription for an anti-nausea medicine that is used for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I am not going to mention the name here, it is very serious stuff and needs to be talked about with a doctor if you are that susceptible to seasickness.

Again, you have to be taking these as preventative measures, not after you are already sick. Further, don't expect to be able to do charting in rough seas just because you are chewing ginger YOU WILL GET SICK

ughmo2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

I sail a few deliveries a year but sometimes it might be a month or so in between. I've retched everywhere and in several oceans! Usually, if I get sick at all, I'm good after a few days. Pepto-Bismal works well for a queasy stomach but other medications should be taken hours if not a day prior to sailing. Avoiding spicy, greasy foods and alcohol supposedly helps. Stay on deck in fresh air, preferably behind the wheel to occupy your mind.

As a last result, as mentioned above, see your Dr. for "heavier" nausea medications.

bonnelaine · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007

i found that if take a half of tab of less drowzy dramimine the night before sailing has always worked for me. also ginger of any kind such as snaps ginger bread ,and teataken on a steady basis will act as a preventitive will do wonders. on board ekeep active feel the rythem of the waves and dont fight it . welcome to the forum .

SimonV · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007

When you do get sick force yourself to drink water and keep drinking because its worst if you get the dry heaves.

CapnHand · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by AjariBonten

Most likely you will get over it with exposure.

That being said, it may take more than you are willing to give it; everybody is different.

You either will or you won't. It's written in the history books that Horatio Nelson got seasick whenever his ship left harbour. He was in the navy since the age of 12 and it afflicted him his whole life.

Don't hesitate to medicate. Find a drug that works and take it. I've found that Bonamine works very well for most people who are sensitive to motion.

Oh, another thing. Dark n Stormy's are a great way to get ginger into your system.

tenuki · #9 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007

Sea sickness is all in your head. Unfortunately it comes out of your mouth.

BlowinSouth · #10 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnHand

You either will or you won't. It's written in the history books that Horatio Nelson got seasick whenever his ship left harbour. He was in the navy since the age of 12 and it afflicted him his whole life.

Oh, another thing. Dark n Stormy's are a great way to get ginger into your system.

CapnHand, I was going to say the same thing about Nelson.

BTW, what's a Dark n Stormy?