Tips to avoid seasickness during your boat trips

We have created this guide with tips and recommendations to avoid seasickness on a boat, thinking about those who are prone to suffer from it. Remember that this can happen to anyone, even the most veteran sailors can get seasick. Throughout this text we are going to go into the following topics in depth:

• Why does dizziness occur?
• General recommendations to prevent seasickness
• Effective methods to avoid seasickness on a boat
• What to do in case of seasickness?

Why do you get seasick at sea?

This condition is known as Cinetosis and is caused by a difference between what the middle ear and the eyes perceive. While the ear perceives undulation, the eyes do not notice it. This imbalance causes discomfort, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, empty stomach, pallor. Some people may even lose consciousness.

To remember:

• This disorder, also known as “sea sickness”, involves the vestibular system, the brain and the eyes.
• Sail sickness affects children, women and the elderly the most.
• During long voyages, the discomfort only lasts for the first few hours while the body gets used to it.
• Sickness does not only occur at sea, but also when travelling by car, plane or even at trade fairs.

General recommendations to avoid seasickness

The most important recommendation is to keep yourself busy and your mind focused on some activity. Although seasickness has an organic origin, the psychological aspect is determinant. If you think you are going to get dizzy, it is likely to happen.

Now, we leave you with a series of recommendations that will not guarantee that you will not experience seasickness on the boat, but they will help you to reduce it. These are not effective for everyone, so you should try them out to find out which one suits you best.

• Stay relaxed. Stress increases the likelihood of sea sickness so it is important to arrive on time and with everything you need.
• Breathe deeply and slowly. Breathe in and out slowly.
• Rest properly. Sea sickness is more likely to affect people who have not slept well or have a hangover.
• If the weather is very cold, sea sickness may increase, so it is advisable to keep warm.
• Keep your eyes on the horizon. Avoid looking towards the water or the back of the boat, where you can feel the swaying of the waves.
• Remain seated with your body upright and facing the direction of travel of the boat.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid large meals before boarding the boat. Avoid dairy and fatty foods in particular.
• Do not arrive on an empty stomach. It is advisable to eat carbohydrates such as biscuits, bread and pasta.
• Stay in the bow or in the centre of the boat, which is the most stable place. From there, look towards the horizon with your eyes at 45° and the sea breeze, just like the iconic scene from the Titanic.
• Do not lower your head or close your eyes.
• Avoid strong smells such as cigarettes or fuel. This increases the likelihood of seasickness on the ship.
• Avoid being in the stern, enclosed places such as kennels or inside the ship. It is preferable to go on deck and admire the ship’s course from there.
• Ginger is effective in preventing seasickness. You can take it in the form of tea, biscuits or pills.
• Avoid using a mobile phone or reading. Fixing your eyes on a fixed point, is to call seasickness.

Effective methods to prevent sea sickness

Here are some methods specifically designed to prevent the onset of seasickness while sailing:

• Press the wrist veins. Place a ball of paper 1cm in diameter, using a watch to hold it. This is an ancient trick that relies on acupuncture. By pressing the P6 or NeiGuan point, we prevent nausea and dizziness.
• Synchronise with the movement of the boat. This consists of moving the shoulders back and forth to relax the musculature and simulate the movement. This is a psychological trick to trick the brain.
• Synchronise with the movement of the boat.
• Take medication for this purpose such as dimenhydrinate. Take it half an hour before it takes effect. It doesn’t work if you take it after you get on the boat, if you’ve eaten a lot or had a few drinks the night before.

Pharmacies offer various solutions to prevent seasickness on a boat, such as pressure bands on the wrist, neck stickers, among others.

What should we do when seasickness occurs?

There is nothing to worry about, if seasickness or vomiting occurs, follow the recommendations below to get better:

• Lie on your side with your eyes closed, parallel to the boat’s draft with your head towards the bow.
• In case of vomiting, do not hold it in. Ensure good hydration after vomiting.
• Water, fruits with vitamin C and sugary drinks can reduce the feeling of seasickness once it has set in. Cola drinks contain phosphoric acid, which can reduce dizziness and nausea.
• Taking a dip in the water is an excellent way to stop the symptoms of dizziness and nausea.

Sea sickness on a boat can be unpleasant but it’s no reason to stop enjoying the sea. Follow these simple tips and continue to enjoy a wonderful holiday.