Stay on deck in the fresh air, look at the horizon, keep warm, eat plain food and keep busy; taking the helm often helps most. Seasickness tablets work best taken before you go out.
Seasickness affects almost everyone at some point. It comes from a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your balance organs feel, and it usually eases as the body gets used to the motion, often within a day or two on a longer trip.
Before you go:
- Get a good night's sleep and avoid alcohol the night before.
- Eat a light, plain meal. An empty stomach tends to make it worse.
- If you are prone to it, take a seasickness tablet before you leave, as the packet or a pharmacist advises. Tablets work much better as prevention than once you feel sick. Some cause drowsiness, so try them ashore first.
On the water:
- Stay on deck in the fresh air, and look at the horizon or the land.
- Take the helm. Steering often helps most, because you are watching the waves and anticipating the motion.
- Keep busy, warm and dry. Being cold and wet makes it worse.
- Avoid going below to read, cook or look at the chart, and keep away from engine fumes.
- Sip water and nibble plain food such as crackers. Dehydration makes everything worse.
- Sit near the middle of the boat, where the motion is least.
If the motion is rough, heaving-to can calm things for a while.
Look after a seasick crew member. They can become surprisingly unwell and stop caring about their own safety. Don't leave them alone on deck, make sure they wear a lifejacket and are clipped on if they are being sick over the side, and have them do so on the leeward side. Keep them drinking small amounts. If someone has been vomiting for a long time and can't keep fluids down, head for shelter or get medical advice, because dehydration can become serious.
More in the book: Chapter 11, Safety on board