Just because you love the wind in your hair and the smell of saltwater doesn’t mean you will make a good sailor. In fact, an estimated 33% of the population is susceptible to motion sickness in mild conditions (like calm waters), a number that doubles in rougher seas (as in a storm situation). This means that at some point, you are likely to encounter the condition that leaves many a sailor retching over the starboard. Luckily, the prevalence of sea sickness has created a market for products to counteract it. So if you’re looking to don the captain’s hat and take your craft out for a pleasure cruise, here are just a few ways to make sure that you’ll be in ship shape to man the rigging for the duration of your sailing expedition.
- Diet. It’s a good idea to plan for meals that won’t cause undue stomach upset to begin with. So skip the enchiladas and curry in the hours leading up to your trip and consider leaving the alcohol at home when you board. You may also want to bring some raw gingerroot with you (like the kind that’s served with your sushi). It’s not only good for cleansing the palate; studies have shown that less than a teaspoon of it can cut nausea nearly in half. Can’t find this root at your local market? Settle for ginger ale instead.
- Non-prescription medication. The most common prevention for motion sickness is Dramamine, an OTC medication that is taken about an hour before your trip and can provide relief from sea sickness for up to 24 hours. Unfortunately, it also causes drowsiness, which is not advisable when you’re manning a sailboat. For this reason, you may be better off choosing Bonine, Marezine, or Stugeron, all of which work in basically the same way but with far less likelihood of nodding off at the wheel.
- The patch. Widely regarded as the most effective and long-lasting preventive measure for motion sickness, the patch relies on a drug called Scopolamine to hold nausea at bay. The active ingredient is absorbed through the skin, starting four hours before you board the boat (when you place the patch on your body) and lasting up to 72 hours (at which point it can be replaced with a new patch). Side effects can include dry mouth and blurred vision, and in some cases you may find that you are unable to abide the drug. Because of this, you should talk to your doctor (you’ll need a prescription anyway) and try it out before you ever have to rely on it.
- Magnets. Magnetized acupressure bracelets are all the rage for those who suffer from motion sickness but would rather skip the medications. The problem is that most people don’t really know how to find the proper pressure points on their wrists, meaning you’re basically going to play roulette with your remedy.
- ReliefBand. This electronic band is worn like a watch and it prevents and eases the symptoms of sea sickness through measured electrical pulses. Like most non-medical treatments, some people swear by it while others don’t get much out of it. You’ll simply have to try it out to see if it works for you.
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