seasick passengers

[richard formica]

Hi,
What things do people use to keep people from getting seasick besides meclazine?
Thanks Rich

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Rich,
The Medical Officer on Hanalei recommends 1/2 a tablet of Dramamine, administered at least half an hour before boarding the vessel for eliminating Mal de Mer. Watch your crew and passengers, if they become quiet, that is an indication of impending sea sickness. Keep all that may get it on deck, don't let them go below. Sometimes just the unsureness of the whole boating situation will make people sea sick. They don't know what to expect! Short of these things, have them sit in a Church yard, under an apple tree, and they will not get sea sick or the sickness will go away!

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[Chris Reinke]

Rich - I have used what I think is named transderm. It is often called "the patch". It has helped many of my sailing guests on longer cruises. Each patch can be used for up to for 3 days. It must be applied several hours before leaving the dock. Once the symptoms start it is to late to try almost anything (other than dry crackers and looking at the horizon). The "patch" is only available by prescription however most doctors will issue a script over the phone if you tell them you are going sailing. Alternatively, Dramamine is readily available and offers pretty good results.

Hi,
What things do people use to keep people from getting seasick besides meclazine?
Thanks Rich

Chris.reinke@transamerica.com

[Ryan Turner]

It seems to me that the best way to battle sea sickness is to educate people about what causes it. The nausea comes when there is a disjuncture between what your inner ear feels and what your eye sees. If your inner ear feels motion but your eye doesn't see it (for instance, when you're in the cabin and your whole frame of reference is moving in unison with your body so you don't actually see the same amount of motion that your inner ear feels) then you'll get sea sick. There have been several articles written about this and the original research that determined this link came from NASA (astronauts have a problem with motion sickness I guess). Anyway, tell them all this, keep them in the cockpit, and hope for the best.



rdtec@aol.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Chris,
You are correct, the method of administration is Transdermal ie., through the skin. The medicine is scopolomine. You used to be able to buy scopolomine tablets over the counter, just like dramamine, but I haven't seen it since I left California back in '92.

If you ever do use the patch, read the instructions, and be sure to WASH your hands after you apply the patch. A very small amount of scopolomine in your eyes will cause them to dilate like you can't believe! I wish they still sold the scopolomine tablets, they acted better than dramamine, didn't tie you in for three days and were convienent. I used to like scopolomine because it didn't cause you to get sleepy like dramamine, only side effect I ever noticed was a slightly dry mouth.

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

[Walt Bilofsky]

What things do people use to keep people from getting seasick besides meclazine?

Nancy and I have tried a number of things with some success. I believe each of these has some utility. In order of usefulness:

1. Let them steer. (May be more effective in a powerboat; I dunno. It's partly being in control, partly having something to occupy them full time.)
2. Wristbands (available at West Marine).
3. Scopalomine patches. (Were off the market for a few years but are now available again. Prescription only, so not recommended for your first aid kit.)
4. Smooth Sailing drink. (Dunno if West Marine still has it but there's probably an 800 number. Nancy says this ginger-fruit soda is the only thing that will help her once she gets queasy.)
5. Ginger. Ginger pills are often put forward as a seasickness remedy. We eliminate the middleman and just buy bags of candied ginger chunks at Trader Joe's.
6. Fresh air.
7. Stare at the horizon.
8. Nancy gets these preserved salted plums in Chinatown and says that when all else fails, holding one against the roof of her mouth can stave off the worst of it. OTOH the plums make me queasy on dry land. Different strokes!



bilofsky@toolworks.com

[Terry]

I am currently taking the USPS IQ course (instructor qualification) and I had to give several practice lectures. I just did a lectures on seasickness last week so I've just read up on this topic.

The best way to deal with it is to prevent it if possible. Get lots of rest beforehand, don't drink alcohol, have light meals, stay on deck. A study published in a British medical journal stated that 4000 mg of ginger 4 hours prior to departure and again at the time of departure was as effective as dramamine without the side effects of drowsiness. Ginger is available in liquid, tablet, or root form.
The P6 acupressure point (2 cm below the bend on the inside of your wrist) stimulated by the wrist bands help many people (including myself).
Also, as mentioned before, if your eyes are telling your brain the same message as the balance centers in your inner ears, you will be less seasick. This is done by watching the horizon- manning the helm is very helpful. You can also reduce the amount of movement you experience by staying amidship. If all else fails, lie amidship and close your eyes.

The OTC meds and prescription meds are beneficial, but be wary of side effects. The patch can cause dizziness, drowsiness, urinary tract irriations, rashes, etc. Dramamine and other over-the-counter antihistimines can put you right to sleep (which is fine if you don't have to steer!)There are even prescription suppositories which you might consider if you couldn't keep anything down.

Seasickness symptoms start with drowsiness, unusual fatigue, pallor, sweating, nausea, and finally vomiting. Try to catch it early!

I read that the word "Yacht" is derived from the Dutch word "Jacht" which means "to throw up violently". Now, how's that for a hobby?

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Walt,
I can't believe that you of all people on the site would admit to "Plum" sickness. It is amazing what comes up on this site and it's part of what makes it so interesting (and fun/funny). I do have to admit, I have been seasick a number of times and I was "Plum" sick! It's no fun at all, anytime, anywhere.

I've heard it said that if you haven't been seasick, you just haven't been to sea long enough! I do agree with the post that said prevention is part of the cure. Fear and psychology have a lot to do with it. If the crew/passengers are secure and feel safe, they will be less likely to get seasick. The one time I was most sick was when I stood the foredeck watch on a sloop, in a race, with an unfamiliar crew, a Captain I didn't know, and a boat which I had no idea of it's maintainence or capabilities. BOY! was I ever sick. The Captain finally told me to go below and tie myself into a bunk, basically because on every tack I was messing up the side of his boat!

Of course, the menue that the ships cook comes up with can also affect the health of the crew. Things listed like "Upchuck Stew" or "Re-tried Beans" tend to put the crew "off their feed" so to speak! So, the Captain of Hanalei always checks with the cook first thing (She's really not bad at all, I'm only kidding!)

Ah, this could go on and on, but I've work to do to get ready for sailing this weekend. Talk to you soon...fair winds and following seas...

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[Murray Glue]

I am interested to see this topic on the board, at last. It is dear to my
heart, and worth a comment.
I first went to sea in 1973, on a protest mission to Mururoa Atoll, with
a bunch of hippies on a leaky baltic trader. We plied the Pacific for
120 days, and for the first 67 of them, I was seasick every day. I now
earn my living at sea, and still suffer, but to a much lesser extent.
The cures that I have been subject to in the intervening years are
numerous....acupuncture, faith healing, religous conversion, drugs,
homeopathy...almost everything except for the obvious; staying
ashore on the beach and watching other people go sailing.
I firmly believe that there is a small psychological component
to the problem...confidence in oneself, in the boat, the conditions and
the crew is a factor. But the underlying cause is a physical one, and
having tried a large number of " alternative cures ", I now put my
faith in a little table made here in New Zealand by an Auckland chemist
which enables me to handle all but the most extreme conditions. These
were developed for airline pilots who were suffering from problems in
the cockpit, and they have none of the side effects of the patches,
sturgeron, dramamine etc. I will not post the name of these right now
in case there is a problem with the supplier in sending them overseas,
but I highly recommend them. There is a childs version in liquid form
which we have used on our kids ( six and nine years ) with some
drowsiness noted, but a definite improvement in sea-keeping.
As a special favour to CD sailors around the world I will contact the
supplier today and see what can be done. Anyone interested ?

Murray Glue
CD 30 Dayspring
Nelson
New Zealand






106452.2173@compuserve.com

[Pat Carlson]

I would be interested in your remedy! If you can send more info, would appreciate it...I get seasick in the bath tub! Well, maybe it's not that bad, but I do get seasick easily. My doctor says it's because I have small eustacian (sp?) tubes, which can be corrected by placing tubes in my ears. Problem is, I can't submerse the ears for 1 year. Being a sailor and a diver, that remedy sort of cramps my style. Looking forward to your miracle cure!



SkywindMCM@aol.com

[Dr J]

Hi,
What things do people use to keep people from getting seasick besides meclazine?
Thanks Rich

I am a physician so i should know THE ANSWER. It does not exist. I barf under the right conditions, then feel better. The worst is the 5 minutes prior to puking. One trick that helps me is that I removed the portlight curtains. Watching them swing when not feeling well did me in. Most important-take the medication prior to going out.

[Tony Raymond]

One of the tricks that saved me during years of big boat sail boat racing was to look a the the top of the mast and mainsail. I would do this while hanging on the rail during one of those wonderful 20 mile windward legs across Rhode Island Sound in a 25 knot blow. I discovered that when triming the main sail during a race I would never get sick but if I was doing another job I more prone to sickness. So, I would often stare at the main whether I was trimming or not. My guess is itworked because the motion I was feeling was close to the speed and magnitude of the mast. Just my two cents.
The only time I get sick on my CD28 power is if we stop dead in the water and let the waves come at us broadside. Then she "rolls like a motha" and I get a little quezey. So, I don't do that if I can help it.
Tony



tony.raymond@worldnet.att.net

[Murray Glue]

As promised, my favourite seasickness cure is called Godzenz, and is
available from Dianne Todd, at Dianne Todd Ponsonby Pharmacy,
307 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.
Phone 64-9-3765399.
Dianne is happy to send these to the States, upon making some
arrangement for payment. I pass this information on in good faith
but can of course, take no responsibility for side effects or adverse
effects from using them. I , for one, would not go to sea without
them. Good luck. Never give up on mal-de-mer.

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring
Nelson, New Zealand





106452.2173@compuserve.com

[Ryan Turner]

I only suffer moderately from mal de mer but it can get bad if I'm below in rough seas. I'll check these little magic pills out.




rdtec@aol.com

[Russell]

"Godzenz" is a cute trade name, but before one orders something like this -- and certainly before one tries it! -- one should know what is in it.