Apart from just being unpleasant, seasickness can become a safety issue. Sufferers can quickly become disoriented and incapacitated. If vomiting persists, dehydration threatens. Here are a dozen tips for preventing and coping with mal-de-mer.
| 1. | Be prepared for the worst. Include appropriate medications in an on-board first aid kit. |
| 2. | Don't invite problems by being overtired or, perish the thought, hung over. |
| 3. | Take medication in advance if it's been recommended or has proven effective in the past. |
| 4. | If sea conditions are expected to be rough, get food ready in advance to minimize time spent below when things get rough. Also, plan to reduce time spend over the chart table. |
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5. |
Pace yourself. Take time for little breaks from on-board tasks to pause, get up on deck and take a breather. |
| 6. | Recognize early symptoms like sweating and queasiness, advancing to possibly nausea, salivating, and pale, clammy skin. |
| 7. | React to early symptoms by getting up on deck and, if possible, finding a spot where boat motion is less severe. |
| 8. | Enjoy the scenery. Watching the horizon and moving with the motion of the boat have proven effective in fighting motion sickness. |
| 9. | Take the helm. This too helps the body and brain settle with its potentially unsettling environment. |
| 10. | Keep an eye on others and communicate. Watch for symptoms in them, and don't be embarrassed if you need to announce you're not feeling well. |
| 11. | Eat what you can, when you can. While food might just come up again, at least you body may get some nutrients from it before it's parted with. |
| 12. | Don't hesitate to head for land if conditions deteriorate, either in the state of the sea or health of the crew. |
Being prepared for seasickness and knowing what to do to minimize its effects is an important part of safe boating. So share this knowledge with your passengers and crew: It's one thing they'll be happy you brought up...sorry.
copyright 2000, Eric Calvert