If fear of seasickness is stopping you from getting out and enjoying the water, whether that’s sailing for pleasure or booking a fishing charter, here are some ways to stop getting seasick.
What can you do to prevent getting seasick, is a great question and one we are asked very often. The good news is there are many solutions?
Some people are more prone to getting seasick than others and from what I read it is said to be genetic.
Many say it’s in your head but if it is genetic and you know you are prone to it, you really need to prepare yourself the best you can
Preparation is the key
Getting a good night’s sleep the night before you hit the water, and even the night before that, is the best way to prevent seasickness in my opinion as being tired just does not help.
Keeping alcohol intake to a minimum is another really obvious remedy but I’m afraid that’s difficult for many people.
It pays to curb your alcohol intake because a good hangover won’t only make you sick on land the next day, it will only take a little bit of motion from the sea to make this situation worse.
This is why it’s my main advice to customers and friends.
Even though I tell people again and again, I still see most weekends, mates catch up the night before the charter and have a good time in the excitement, that might just be a little bit TOO good.
The results are normally not good but there are always those who just have the genetics and power on.
I must admit I was young and inexperienced once myself and had my fair share of very green days because I, too, love a good time with mates.
Drugs and Remedies
Taking many of the varieties of seasickness tablets available an hour prior to getting on the boat definitely makes a difference.
Many even take these seasick tablets the night before as well, or even days prior, to get their body ready.
I have seen many different tablets from over the counter varieties like Kwells or TravaCalm, to prescription tablets through a doctor that many acquire as they know they get sick and do not want it to happen.
Tablets like quells can be taken every 8 hours but on a full day fishing charter like we offer, we’re only are on the water for 8-10 hours, so rarely would you need to take a repeat dose.
From what I read and from my experience, those attempting to take a tablet at sea when on the edge, usually just “dispose” of them over the side.
Whether this was the inevitable result anyway no one will know. Hence I usually do not recommend taking them part way through the day but I can’t stop you if you wish to.
The herb ginger is well known to settle an upset stomach and comes in tablet form to assist travel/ seasickness. The reason we keep ginger ale in the esky to attempt to help people not feeling well.
Wrist bands are another remedy I see regularly that are meant to apply a form of acupressure to relieve nausea, it is best to be wearing them before getting on the vessel. It is also said that it is more beneficial to have one on each wrist.
Having seens people do all kinds of preparation possible, from wrist bands to tablets and still get sick, confirms my belief that genetics does play a part. If this is you, at some point the sad news is that it will probably be better to stick to jetty fishing, or just offer to cook and keep the fish our customers come back to shore with.
I even knew a guy whom had a wobble board at home that he would regularly get on in an attempt to get his body immune to and used to the motion. Hey some people love fishing that much they will do what they can, and how can you blame them? Fishing is an awesome experience, especially on a charter like Balgowan Fishing Charters, but not if you’re feeling sick all day.
What is Seasickness
Seasickness is caused by the confused reaction of the brain.
A person’s eyes and inner ear, confused by all the motion, reacts by feeling sick.
It starts usually with the body sweating and an awful feeling with tiredness. Queasiness and nausea is next and with most its not long before breakfast comes up.
I have seen many whom just feel terrible but do not throw up.
Other things to do whilst on the boat to help
Fresh air is a key component.
The cabin of a boat is not a place to hang out if you are prone to or feeling the dreaded seasickness coming on.
Sit down as close to the middle of the boat as possible and stare at the horizon, not down on the floor.
Lying slightly backwards is the most comfortable position.
Nibble on something light like some chips always seems to help and sipping on water or a fizzy drink can be good too.
Sucking on a hard lolly, particularly ginger based/ flavoured helps many people.
I try to convince people to soldier on and keep fishing hoping this will keep their mind from feeling terrible, but its usually too late.
Sometimes throwing up can actually make people feel better so is encouraged – just turn your head away from my general direction, please.
When will I feel better?
I can almost guarantee that within minutes of hitting land you will start to feel better.
If possible I try to take the boat to a calmer area like squidding in the shallows.
This will usually have seasick customers spring back to life.
I have taken groups in close when a team decision makes the call when someone is extremely sick, particularly if they have other underlying medical conditions that could cause potentially dangerous situations.
Continuously throwing up causes dehydration which in some, like a diabetic, is dangerous.
I hope this summary and the tips I added will help you stop getting seasick and make the most of your time on water.