How to prevent seasickness

Besides drugs, crews used a variety of other methods to alleviate the symptoms and misery of seasickness. These, too, varied from boat to boat. On one yacht several crew said that going to bed immediately helped, while on another (one on which the skipper observed that he believed seasickness to be largely psychological), crew were encouraged to work through it unless they ere unsafe, or in danger of dehydration or exhaustion.

On both boats most sufferers recovered in under a day. Apprehension was viewed as a definite psychological factor in triggering seasickness. Comprehensive planning and developing an awareness of forecasts and expected conditions help to reduce levels of anxiety.

Tips to prevent seasickness:

 
•Avoiding hangovers before leaving

•Taking medication before feeling ill

•Pre-planning work on deck and below

•Mentally preparing for the trip

•Taking a turn at the helm

•Eating ginger biscuits – ‘they work a treat’

•Drinking a rehydration drink (available in sachets or as sports drinks)

•Drinking tonic water to stop burping

•Eating sweets, apples or chewing gum

•Nibbling on crackers or dry food

•Operating a buddy system when crew have taken drowsiness-inducing medication

•Using biodegradable ‘doggy scoop’ bags as sick bags to keep handy in a pocket

Finally, the survey suggests that susceptibility to seasickness does decrease over time and with experience, while at the same time recovery becomes quicker. Whether that proves an ability to habituate to the motion or cope better with the effects as experience mounts is open to debate. It’s likely that medication, experience and psychology all play a part.