Your feedback

Some amusing remedies for seasickness

Thursday January 17th 2002, Author: Sian Cowen, Location: United Kingdom
From Mark Lund
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? Have you found a cure? There is no cure for seasickness. Once I read that you can spot two different stages of sea sickness. The first stage is when you are afraid that you are going to die. The next stage is when you are afraid you're not going to die.

From Carina Diller, Wellington NZ
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? Almost the whole way through a 150 mile race---that's 30 hours (first part 35-40 knts in steep seas then low wind but big swells). The best cure - be fit, be fresh (avoid alcohol the night prior to leaving) and find something other than the banging and bashing to focus on once at sea. I remember one really rough day on a long distance race where five guys were fighting to helm! Fear can also lead to seasickness...be aware of your state of mind. Meditation or focusing on race conditions/opportunities is good if you are relegated to the rail. Now, I cook for those who can't make it below.

From A Aldridge
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? I used a seasickness patch for the first time on a rough race across Bass Strait. It was excellent. On the return leg I used one again and once again it was great. The strange thing is that on the return leg, the patch had actually fallen off shortly after we left the dock. Makes you wonder how much is in the mind....

From Lam Buzz
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? We were on Go Go Dancer, our bare boat charter boat out of S.Florida bound for Bimini. King Neptune must have been pissed after battering us around and changing wind direction (and ours). Finally a day late and with the sun setting we approached Bimini. There were no lights of any sort in the dark. None ashore, no lighted buoys. I went below to use the can and instantly developed triple vision! Suddenly sick to the stomach. Went to my knees at the bottom of the ladder and spent most of the next day in same foetal position.

Some years later a TV program discussing that form of distress made me realise what had happened. There was a fair chance that if I had simply covered my eyes and crawled back into the cockpit I might not have been so...useless. It appears much of the problem is the 'contradiction' suffered by the brain - your eyes showing a 'stable' salon and inner ear telling you are doing cartwheels! A well fed and rested crew and perhaps ginger bread cookies I hear do help. Made it alive anyway, no thanks to ME and Hurricane, Pensacola.

What was the worst occasion you were seasick? Stand on a high hill under a tree........... Works every time

From Mikael Ahrenberg
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? Have you found a cure? Seasickness is really "something else"! This sickness strikes soner or later all of us. I think the worst thing with it is that it affects your way of thinking. You tend to feel sorry for yourself and thus the activity is affected. Yes, it is not so nice to empty your insides all over the boat, but if it has to come out then so be it!

Personally I think one of the best remedies (if you have the guts that is) is to stay focused on your immediate task on board. What I mean is that if you are to make a sailchange, do it or if you are to take over the steering, go for it. The worst thing is to surrender to the illness and just succumb to self pity. This is the mental part of it. On the physical side it is of vital importance that you keep your fluid balance up. Remember to drink! It does not matter if it all comes up again. The old saying applies here; try, and try again! Your system needs the fluid, otherwise there can be hell to pay!

Personally I've found out that warm drinks are better than cold, as you tend to start freezing when in bad shape. Also if it is possible, some dry biscuits are doing the trick; they have the nice effect of keeping the bloodsugar level steady, which is important. If the level goes down too much you become a general pain in the neck and it affects the team work onboard. But first and furthermost, don't set out to sea with the thought of you being seasick, have a positive mind, and if the illness ails you try to remember it will also pass!

From Thom Davis
What was the worst occasion you were seasick? Fortunately, for me, I am relatively immune to mal de mer. I get queasy in seas that most find wretched. That being said, I find that beer is both a preventative as well as a cure. The most seasick I got was in a nuclear submarine at 400 ft depth under what must have been some amazing seas (the XO fell thirty feet from the wardroom to his stateroom and broke his arm).

.................................................................................

Anyone can join in with our From the Feedback features, all you have to do is click on the blue question link at the bottom of each article, or hit the My Feedback button at the top of every page.

Each contribution may be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. The opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madfor sport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

Editor's plea. If you write to us and you want to see your thoughts in print, then please include your full name and where you come from on your e-mail. Anonymous contributions will not be published.

Latest Comments

Add a comment - Members log in

Tags

Latest news!

Back to top
    Back to top