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Sea Sickness โ€” Prevention & Treatment

We take for granted our understanding of up and down. Our inner ear has little hairs inside it that react to fluid passing over them when we move. Sea sickness is when your inner ear becomes confused with all the signals given to it on a moving boat.

We take for granted our understanding of up and down. Our inner ear has little hairs inside it that react to fluid passing over them when we move.

Sea sickness is when your inner ear becomes confused with all the signals given to it on a moving boat.

Prevention

The best treatment for sea sickness is prevention. Options include: - Scopolamine patches: Applied behind the ear 4 hours before sailing. Very effective but can cause dry mouth and blurred vision - Dramamine (dimenhydrinate): Available over the counter. Take 1 hour before sailing - Bonine (meclizine): Less drowsy than Dramamine. Take the night before and the morning of sailing - Ginger: Natural remedy that some find effective. Ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger supplements

If You Get Sick

  • Stay on deck and focus on the horizon
  • Avoid reading or looking at screens
  • Eat light, bland foods โ€” crackers, bread
  • Stay hydrated
  • Lie down in the middle of the boat where motion is least
  • Fresh air helps โ€” don't go below if you're feeling queasy

The Good News

Most people find that sea sickness improves after the first day or two as your body acclimatizes. The BVI's protected waters also mean that conditions are generally calmer than open ocean sailing.

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