Seasickness: How to deal with it

Seasickness: How to deal with it

Now that brisk cold winds have descended upon the Florida peninsula, offshore anglers will have to deal with some rough seas and challenging conditions. We all want a shot at those huge schools of fall kings that pass by our shores, but prevailing weather can often make the task daunting. And those with a propensity for "mal de mer" find themselves uncomfortable and embarrassed. Well take heart, the good news is that sea sickness is not fatal and actually controllable.

By Capt. Mel Berman, 970-WFLA & 620-WDAE

Recently I received an email from Ken Gacsy on a not so pleasant subject. It is one all of us who venture offshore must occasionally confront -- the scourge of seasickness.

Here’s what Ken had to say:

"Hey Captain Mel

A lot of people I take fishing on my boat get sea sick pretty quickly even if the seas are only 2 ft. They have tried Dramamine, wristbands, eating bananas, eating, not eating, etc. before the trip but nothing seems to work. Is there anything you can recommend preventative measures that work for you or anyone you know?

Thanks Ken"

Dear Ken:

First of all, some among us do have a greater propensity for getting sea sick than others. Scientists say it has something to do with the sensitivity of the inner ear. I do however think there’s more to it than that.

I believe such things as lack of rest, boozing heavily the night before a trip, eating a heart-burning greasy breakfast, even the opposite – having a totally empty stomach – can all cause this uncomfortable malady. Above all there is a psychological component to seasickness.
Some get this "mal de mer" by simply stepping aboard a boat, with no rational reason to feel sick. Are there any reliable cures or preventative measures for this miserable condition? You betcha!

The old standby, Dramamine almost always seems to get the job done. Most potential victims make the mistake of taking a Dramamine or other seasick remedy just before or as the vessel pulls away from port. Unfortunately, it is often too late for the effects of any seasick therapy to take effect.

When I was chartering offshore, I would always recommend that clients who had a tendency to get seasick take their Dramamine the night before. That way, the medication had a chance to work its way into one’s system. Then, following up with another dose before the trip at sea, one should be well inoculated against the ill effects of this embarrassing and very uncomfortable condition.

Having said that, what if you do get out on the deep blue and still get seasick? The last thing I would do would be to head below to the forward cabin or head. Those enclosed areas cause one to lose a sense of equilibrium because there is no visual reference as to where is up and where is down. Though the enclosed confines may seem an inviting cocoon to an ailing person, below is absolutely the last place they should be.

I would always insist that people turning a bit green around the gills stay out on deck. Then, if they keep an eye on the horizon they’ll have a mental reference point to minimize the annoying signals their inner ear is sending the brain.

The other positive aspect to staying out on deck is that, should they have to "chum the water" a "seasickie" can easily do their business over the side and not down below. (Clean up on charter boats are not an enjoyable exercise as it is.)

Then there is one last desperate action a person can take, aside from heading back to the dock. That is to jump into the water. Feeling the cooler soothing water somehow relieves the symptoms and calms that sense of helplessness most seasick persons experience.

Many say that after so many days at sea, even the most sensitive among us can become inoculated against this miserable malady. Whatever the cause or cure, the good news is that seasickness is not fatal. It just feels that way.

Also see: Ginger Prevents Seasickness

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