“What if I get seasick?” this is what travelers who want to try yachting often worry about.
We have good news!
Seasickness is not a disease. The fact is that when moving on a yacht, the brain receives conflicting information: muscles, ligaments and joints “report” that the body is stationary, and the receptors of the inner ear – that the body is swaying and moving. This contradictory information causes symptoms of motion sickness, the most common of which are dizziness and nausea.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to say for sure whether this particular person will develop “seasickness” – science has not yet found an answer to this question – but it is important to know that: usually the body quickly adapts to the pitching an active lifestyle (consider training the vestibular apparatus) can increase resistance to seasickness there are effective tools and actions that will certainly help you cope with motion sickness. we have collected tips from experienced yachtsmen and doctors on how to help your body overcome the symptoms of seasickness.
- The best way is to take the helm and looking into the distance, on the horizon.
- Lemon and ginger. You can periodically chew or dissolve – and the unpleasant sensations will pass.
- Non-carbonated water. Drink it by the throat, often, often.
- Eat sour, salty, bitter foods: fruits (green apples, citrus fruits), vegetables, nuts, dark chocolate, biscuits/crackers.
- Dissolve mint or lemon candies.
- Once an hour, wipe your neck, face, and temples with a damp towel.
- Make a point massage of the point P6 (Neiguan), located on the inner surface of the forearm 3 fingers above the wrist. Or buy an acupuncture bracelet for motion sickness (such as TravelDream or SeaBand). Using such bracelets is safe.
- As a last resort, you can resort to the use of medications. The most frequently used active ingredients – dimenhydrinate (Dramina, Ciel, Evakarin), meclozine (Bonine) and Benedryl. We do not recommend using tablets at the first symptoms of motion sickness, if they are not pronounced. Many drugs affect the Central nervous system and cause drowsiness. Pay attention to the side effects of drugs: they are often not compatible with alcohol (or enhance its effect) and are not recommended when driving vehicles.
- If nothing helps, lie down in the cabin and try to sleep. It is also important for good health on the yacht to rest and get enough sleep on time. Therefore, on the first day of travel with «Regatta For Friends», after a safety briefing and a welcome dinner-acquaintance, we do not leave the port, but spend the night on yachts. This allows the body to calmly adapt to pitching in a dream, when consciousness does not interfere. And it helps us, the organizers, to make sure that a person will get enough sleep by the time they go to sea. A good holiday is a guarantee of a comfortable sea trip.
For beginners in yachting, we recommend that you do not make very long crossings. 4-5 hours, no more. And preferably with breaks: go ashore, walk or swim in the sea.
To prevent seasickness, increase the amount of liquid consumed 1-2 weeks before swimming to at least 1.5 liters of still clean water per day. Minimize alcohol and carbonated beverages. Do not eat fatty or spicy foods before or during your trip, and avoid sweets.
What not to do during a sea trip:
- don’t travel hungry, but don’t overeat
- don’t drink alcohol
- do not read a book or look at your smartphone while the boat is moving
By the way, if you are seasick in land transport, this does not mean that you will have symptoms of motion sickness on a yacht.
However, if you suspect that you have “seasickness”, we advise you to consult a doctor (otorhinolaryngologist, vestibulologist) before traveling for advice and prescribing medications, if necessary.
Also today it is possible to conduct special medical research – videonystagmography. This is an assessment of the state of the vestibular system through the study of oculomotor functions (by far the most reliable method). Such studies are carried out when detecting vestibular pathology. In the vast majority of cases, motion sickness is not associated with disorders in the vestibular apparatus. The human body, as a rule, gets used to pitching by itself.
Therefore, the most important thing is a positive attitude. Don’t concentrate on unpleasant sensations. They will pass soon. Do anything on the deck, watch the birds and the surrounding landscape, communicate, and smile!
And your sea trip will be easy and joyful. So that you will want to repeat it.
