AndieMac
Well-Known Member
Trust you to pick up that reference Kwacka........it must have been the shortest sentence in the text.
Sea sickness on Mythbusters!
- Thread starter seanfoster
- Start date
Trust you to pick up that reference Kwacka........it must have been the shortest sentence in the text.
boatmike
Well-Known Member
No one has mentioned bacon butties.... I ALWAYS have bacon butties followed by large mugs of tea, ginger cake and Mars bars. Avoid anything with lettuce in it and fart regularly..... Never fails....
Csail
N/A
I agree with the above except out of our party on a cruise ship in a storm off Biscay they were all sick but dad and i had a few beers and were fine.
On our boat it is getting scared that makes me feel sick.
Never have taken drugs for it but just being on the helm seems to be the best way.
What i find worse is land sickness.....not bad cuz swmbo gets sea sickness.
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OGITD
Well-Known Member
These do work:
These do work:
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=193
But I do believe that it is partially psychological…..so if you believe it works for you then it does!
I also know that white bread is generally bad for you, but to alleviate the sensation of nausea then fresh plain white bread (crusts removed) with the slightest smearing of strawberry jam (as long as you are not allergic to it, and you do not find it distasteful) works well.
Sorry to mention this……but if the situation deteriorates the jam makes things almost acceptable on the way up.
These do work:
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=193
But I do believe that it is partially psychological…..so if you believe it works for you then it does!
I also know that white bread is generally bad for you, but to alleviate the sensation of nausea then fresh plain white bread (crusts removed) with the slightest smearing of strawberry jam (as long as you are not allergic to it, and you do not find it distasteful) works well.
Sorry to mention this……but if the situation deteriorates the jam makes things almost acceptable on the way up.
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
Don t need tablets....
Ginger in jars and also fresh ginger in thin slices works fine. I have used it for years with suffering passengers. The Headmistress discovered it when she was over here in the 90's and gave out crystalline ginger to visitors on her boat when she returned to the USA confirming that it worked. Some folk cant cope with eating the root ginger however in thin slices it is fine for many.
magic-martinh
Well-Known Member
Whilst I have never got close to throwing up with sea sickness I sometimes feel a bit queezy after setting off and for a few hours.
Having sailes to Australia and suffered the roaring 40s etc, only once have i gone to the 'next level' - on a 24 footer in Biscay in a gale. No throwing up just utter loss of ability to function. It was the sort of experience that sets you back - I left the helm and was just confused and 100% disoriented - I didn't have any ginger biscuits mind! they would have been nice.
Having sailes to Australia and suffered the roaring 40s etc, only once have i gone to the 'next level' - on a 24 footer in Biscay in a gale. No throwing up just utter loss of ability to function. It was the sort of experience that sets you back - I left the helm and was just confused and 100% disoriented - I didn't have any ginger biscuits mind! they would have been nice.
seanfoster
Well-Known Member
These do work:
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=193
But I do believe that it is partially psychological…..so if you believe it works for you then it does!
I also know that white bread is generally bad for you, but to alleviate the sensation of nausea then fresh plain white bread (crusts removed) with the slightest smearing of strawberry jam (as long as you are not allergic to it, and you do not find it distasteful) works well.
Sorry to mention this……but if the situation deteriorates the jam makes things almost acceptable on the way up.
How many of these do you take?
Ricd
Well-Known Member
At £6.99 a pop for 'ginger'!!! well that's the herbal medicine man for you. Buy some ginger nut biscuits
You may have guessed..I have never crossed the threshold of H&B
boatmike
Well-Known Member
I also know that white bread is generally bad for you, but to alleviate the sensation of nausea then fresh plain white bread (crusts removed) with the slightest smearing of strawberry jam (as long as you are not allergic to it, and you do not find it distasteful) works well.
Sorry to mention this……but if the situation deteriorates the jam makes things almost acceptable on the way up.
I tried that but it made me sick...... and I was at home at the time.
I have never been seasick but sympathise with those who have been. They always lie about what they have eaten though don't you find? No one will ever admit to eating carrots but they are always there!!! I tell you all vegetables are bad for you. Nice bacon sangies with fresh granary bread (not nasty white stuff) That's what you need!!
ianat182
Well-Known Member
I sail frequently and have been seasick only the once ,crossing the Channel,however whenever invited to go fishing in a dinghy I politely decline; the irregular tipping up and down, even in the slightest sea, starts me feeling queasy, especially if trying to keep the bait at the right depth........I love gingernuts- there's a nice 'cure'!!
ianfr
Well-Known Member
I tried Stugeron once as a precaution as bad weather was forecast. fifteen minutes later I was sick as a dog. Didn't take any more after that and was fine.
Ian
Ian
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Interesting as on mythbusters they did try to do a serious trial but discovered one placebo tablet worked well.
I am occassionally seasick so would love a cure that doesn't make you tired.
mattonthesea
Well-Known Member
Mal de mer
I agree with all those 'whatever works for you' approaches. Here's another which may work for some.
On the principle that it is not a sickness but a reaction; we receive information from our ears eyes and muscles that tell us what position we are in. In a stable and vertical world this works very well. But then destabilise this world and the information received byt these three sources starts to conflict. (The one that always does my head in in is turning on the tap for the water to flow out at an angle) This conflict seems to cause a variable reaction in which the extreme outcome is nausea and vomiting.
Given time most people seem to adapt to this change of received information. But for the short term, to enable functioning crew, a workaround is required. The drugs seem to work differently for individuals. I find that hyoscine and Stugeron work but the former makes me so dry that I drink gallons and then need to spend too much time below redressing my fluid balance that it's partly counterproductive. On the other hand Stugeron make me feel sick! But they both make me drowsy so it's good for starting off the watches.
This has a second effect: if you can remove the conflict (ie remove one of the information sources) then the effect should be reduced. So close eyes and lie down. Your ears and muscles should say the same thing and you can relax. OK for the off watch but not for the on watch! Look at the horizon? Works for some but for many something else is required. Send them forrard to look for rocks? Take the helm? These seem to work because they make the indvidual look beyond the boat and take into account their movement in the world instead of just in relation to the boat. If the crew are fought off by the present helm then try getting them to close their eyes and point at the horizon. As the boat rolls then their arms will stay horizontal. It's a small start to getting the eyes in tune with ears and muscles.
There also seems to be a relationship between dehydration and seasickness. Presumably that's why alcohol the night before is a bad thing! So regualr, small drinks of water, ginger, weak squash seem to help. Small because that means that you won't need to pee quite so often.
And then comes chartwork!!! I try to switch off my eyes here. Sounds silly but I use the attitude I have to 'seeing' one of those 3D pictures. If you rellax your vision then slowly the picture will emerge. I find it the same with charts; if I let the chart move around in my vision then slowly it will settle. I don't try and hold it in place or foucus hard on it as it's after a few minutes of doing that when I suddenly realise that I feel very woosy. This isn't a brilliant way of describing it I know but...
All this adds up to using a strategic approach. Mine? For a weeks charter holiday I usually get the crew to the boat one evening, do all the organising bits etc and then go to pub. I do all the briefing and victualling with them the next day and we go for a shortish shake down sail and anchor that night. Somehow the beer supply always seems to run out early that night! I encourage an anti sea sick pill so that they sleep. During the shake down I've organised competitions (in pairs) to take the most accurate 3 point fix in 30 seconds, who can keep the straightest wake, what do all those buoys over there mean? (Note to self - use looking out for rocks up ahead!) Plus the usual, tacking, gybing, sail trimming etc techniques. The point about all these is that they are constantly looking beyond the boat and so take the movement of it into account. It's in a relaxed mode but involves concentration and activity. And lastly, we are at sea/anchor for up to 20 hours before we start any serious sailing. So we have a while to get acclimatised to the motion. (I do this for me as much as anyone)
I have used the words 'seem' and 'relax' a lot in this. I think that's because, firstly, most of this is supposition (IMHO) and, secondly, I find the if I can simply relax then the uncomfortable feelings just drift off.
I agree with all those 'whatever works for you' approaches. Here's another which may work for some.
On the principle that it is not a sickness but a reaction; we receive information from our ears eyes and muscles that tell us what position we are in. In a stable and vertical world this works very well. But then destabilise this world and the information received byt these three sources starts to conflict. (The one that always does my head in in is turning on the tap for the water to flow out at an angle) This conflict seems to cause a variable reaction in which the extreme outcome is nausea and vomiting.
Given time most people seem to adapt to this change of received information. But for the short term, to enable functioning crew, a workaround is required. The drugs seem to work differently for individuals. I find that hyoscine and Stugeron work but the former makes me so dry that I drink gallons and then need to spend too much time below redressing my fluid balance that it's partly counterproductive. On the other hand Stugeron make me feel sick! But they both make me drowsy so it's good for starting off the watches.
This has a second effect: if you can remove the conflict (ie remove one of the information sources) then the effect should be reduced. So close eyes and lie down. Your ears and muscles should say the same thing and you can relax. OK for the off watch but not for the on watch! Look at the horizon? Works for some but for many something else is required. Send them forrard to look for rocks? Take the helm? These seem to work because they make the indvidual look beyond the boat and take into account their movement in the world instead of just in relation to the boat. If the crew are fought off by the present helm then try getting them to close their eyes and point at the horizon. As the boat rolls then their arms will stay horizontal. It's a small start to getting the eyes in tune with ears and muscles.
There also seems to be a relationship between dehydration and seasickness. Presumably that's why alcohol the night before is a bad thing! So regualr, small drinks of water, ginger, weak squash seem to help. Small because that means that you won't need to pee quite so often.
And then comes chartwork!!! I try to switch off my eyes here. Sounds silly but I use the attitude I have to 'seeing' one of those 3D pictures. If you rellax your vision then slowly the picture will emerge. I find it the same with charts; if I let the chart move around in my vision then slowly it will settle. I don't try and hold it in place or foucus hard on it as it's after a few minutes of doing that when I suddenly realise that I feel very woosy. This isn't a brilliant way of describing it I know but...
All this adds up to using a strategic approach. Mine? For a weeks charter holiday I usually get the crew to the boat one evening, do all the organising bits etc and then go to pub. I do all the briefing and victualling with them the next day and we go for a shortish shake down sail and anchor that night. Somehow the beer supply always seems to run out early that night! I encourage an anti sea sick pill so that they sleep. During the shake down I've organised competitions (in pairs) to take the most accurate 3 point fix in 30 seconds, who can keep the straightest wake, what do all those buoys over there mean? (Note to self - use looking out for rocks up ahead!) Plus the usual, tacking, gybing, sail trimming etc techniques. The point about all these is that they are constantly looking beyond the boat and so take the movement of it into account. It's in a relaxed mode but involves concentration and activity. And lastly, we are at sea/anchor for up to 20 hours before we start any serious sailing. So we have a while to get acclimatised to the motion. (I do this for me as much as anyone)
I have used the words 'seem' and 'relax' a lot in this. I think that's because, firstly, most of this is supposition (IMHO) and, secondly, I find the if I can simply relax then the uncomfortable feelings just drift off.
Ricd
Well-Known Member
I agree...its ideal spend first night on a swinging mooring rather than tied to the pontoon. This seems to help people adjust.
Other nuggets - don't talk about it or mention it but keep a watch on new crew for any signs and act early to address them before they escalate. But...If it all goes pear shaped..chuck them down below into a bunk with a big black bin liner.
But always kick off the ginger nuts
Other nuggets - don't talk about it or mention it but keep a watch on new crew for any signs and act early to address them before they escalate. But...If it all goes pear shaped..chuck them down below into a bunk with a big black bin liner.
But always kick off the ginger nuts
matt1
Well-Known Member
So, me and my lad are avid mythbusters fans and even more avid sailing fans so it was great when mythbusters made this episode . Yes, it was a sample of one but as scientific as a telly show could make it - it really was amazing to see the effect of Ginger! So afterwards we googled how much was required (considerably more than a packet of Ginger biscuits!) and bought the tablets from a health shop and they worked a treat on SWMBO who sufferes generally with seasickness. Best of all, no side effects. BTW the only other thing that ever worked for her was scopoderm (but with dizziness, skin rash and dry mouth)
. Yes, it was a sample of one but as scientific as a telly show could make it - it really was amazing to see the effect of Ginger! So afterwards we googled how much was required (considerably more than a packet of Ginger biscuits!) and bought the tablets from a health shop and they worked a treat on SWMBO who sufferes generally with seasickness. Best of all, no side effects. BTW the only other thing that ever worked for her was scopoderm (but with dizziness, skin rash and dry mouth)
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
IMO Blackmores 'Travelcalm', simply natural ginger tablets work fine generally.
BTW...... I liked mattontheseas' very frank and honest post on the subject.
I think even if you don't suffer from this condition as a skipper, you need to understand how it affects your much relied upon crew members, especially as their involvement has been factored into the safe passage of the boat.
BTW...... I liked mattontheseas' very frank and honest post on the subject.
I think even if you don't suffer from this condition as a skipper, you need to understand how it affects your much relied upon crew members, especially as their involvement has been factored into the safe passage of the boat.
Ricd
Well-Known Member
So, me and my lad are avid mythbusters fans and even more avid sailing fans so it was great when mythbusters made this episode
Heavy Weather Sailing - Adlard Coles - states.."Western experiments suggest...up to half a gram is appropriate. At this dosage, six gingersnap biscuits or a pint of ginger ale (not fizzy) might provide and appropriate dose". This is somewhat less than a packet of Ginger biscuits!!
chuzzlewit
Well-Known Member
All British doctors are given a 6 monthly booklet
called Clinical Evidence. It shows which treatments work and which don't. Ginger works for pregnancy sickness.
called Clinical Evidence. It shows which treatments work and which don't. Ginger works for pregnancy sickness.
Allan
Well-Known Member
I have not read all of this thread. On Saturday night while drunk I agreed to go racing. I was woken in the morning by a phonecall and only had time to get dressed make a cup of tea and head for the other pontoon. Because of the drinking, I decided to take a Stugeron, which I never normally do as I rarely suffer from seasickness. During the sail I felt fine, after a couple of drinks in the bar afterwards I started to feel tied. I went back to the boat and slept from about 6pm to 10am on Monday! I think I will give the tablets a wide berth in future.
Allan
Allan
Alfie168
Well-Known Member
I get seasick very easily. Nerves are part of it i'm sure, but I improve after a day or two unless its rough. I have found Stugeron works, but leaves me feeling a wee bit 'out of it' after the first dose. When I'm more relaxed I find I don't need pills. Havn't tried ginger, but i will.
I once honked up the most wonderful breakfast when I was on the ferry from Harwich- Hook, and it was a mill pond. It was memorable as the lady who had cooked me this wonderful breakfast was Mrs Thatcher's sister. Her daughter was a pal of mine at Uni.
Tim
I once honked up the most wonderful breakfast when I was on the ferry from Harwich- Hook, and it was a mill pond. It was memorable as the lady who had cooked me this wonderful breakfast was Mrs Thatcher's sister. Her daughter was a pal of mine at Uni.
Tim