Motion sickness, often called seasickness when traveling by boat, occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals about the body’s movement and position. This conflict arises between the inner ear’s vestibular system, which senses motion and balance, and the eyes, which may perceive a static environment inside the vessel. This sensory mismatch leads to the common symptoms of nausea, cold sweats, and disorientation. This guide provides strategies to help prevent these symptoms and ensure a more comfortable journey.
Essential Preparation Before Boarding
Preventative measures begin well before stepping onto the deck by optimizing the body’s physical state. Getting sufficient sleep the night before sailing helps ensure the central nervous system is rested and less susceptible to motion disturbance. Fatigue can significantly lower the threshold for experiencing motion sickness.
The choice of food and drink is important in the hours leading up to the trip. Avoiding heavy, greasy, or spicy meals is recommended, as these can be difficult to digest and exacerbate nausea. Alcohol should be avoided entirely, as it dehydrates the body and interferes with the brain’s ability to process sensory information.
For individuals planning to use over-the-counter oral medications, timing is important. These drugs, such as dimenhydrinate or meclizine, work best when absorbed into the bloodstream before motion begins. Taking a preventative agent approximately 30 to 60 minutes prior to boarding allows the medication to reach effective levels.
Behavioral and Positional Strategies Onboard
Once aboard, specific actions and positioning can help resolve the sensory conflict that triggers motion sickness. The most effective non-medical strategy is visual stabilization, which involves focusing the eyes on a fixed point outside the boat. Looking at the distant horizon provides the eyes with a stable reference point, allowing the visual system to align with the motion sensed by the inner ear.
Choosing a location on the vessel that minimizes movement is effective. The least movement is found midship (the center of the boat’s length) and on the lowest available deck, close to the waterline. This central area is nearest to the vessel’s center of gravity, experiencing the smallest degree of pitch and roll. Conversely, the bow and stern, especially on higher decks, exhibit the most pronounced up-and-down movement.
Ensuring a continuous supply of fresh air is beneficial, as stuffy air or strong odors, such as diesel fumes, can worsen nausea. Sitting on an open deck helps keep the air circulating and provides the visual access needed to scan the horizon. Activities that require looking down, such as reading a book or using a smartphone, should be avoided entirely, as they directly contribute to the sensory conflict.
Medical and Non-Pharmacological Prevention Aids
Over-the-counter antihistamines are the most commonly used pharmacological option for preventing seasickness. Dimenhydrinate and meclizine work by blocking nerve signals in the area of the brain responsible for triggering vomiting and nausea. Dimenhydrinate is often associated with greater drowsiness, while meclizine is sometimes formulated to be less sedating.
For longer trips, a prescription option is the scopolamine transdermal patch, applied to the skin behind the ear. This patch releases medication slowly over a 72-hour period, providing extended protection by blocking communication between the inner ear and the vomiting center. Potential side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, and in some cases, confusion or withdrawal symptoms upon removal.
Natural remedies offer an alternative approach to prevention. Ginger, often consumed in capsule form, is a studied non-pharmacological aid, acting on the digestive tract rather than the central nervous system. Dosages of approximately 1,000 milligrams taken about an hour before travel are recommended to help stabilize the stomach and reduce nausea. Acupressure bands, worn on the wrist, apply pressure to the P6 or Neiguan point, a technique thought to help mitigate nausea signals.
Immediate Relief Measures for Acute Symptoms
When preventative steps have failed and acute symptoms like pronounced nausea or cold sweats begin, immediate action should shift toward mitigation. Lying down in the most stable area of the boat and closing the eyes can eliminate confusing visual input, which sometimes calms the nervous system. Keeping the head still and supported against a seat back or pillow further reduces vestibular stimulation.
Sipping small quantities of cold, clear liquids, such as water, can help settle the stomach without causing further irritation. Avoid large gulps of fluid, as this may induce vomiting. Applying a cool compress to the forehead or the back of the neck provides a simple physical distraction and helps manage the clammy feeling associated with severe nausea.
If symptoms become severe or lead to uncontrollable vomiting, alert the crew or captain. They can offer practical assistance, provide a designated area for relief, and monitor the situation. Focusing on steady, deep breaths helps manage the initial panic and discomfort until the boat reaches calmer waters or the symptoms subside.