Last weekend, I was onboard for Out Scuba’s Pride Day dive. I was exhilarated, the boat was decorated for Pride, the sun was shining, the water was a brilliant shade of blue and relatively flat, and the dive boat was filled with other divers ready to explore the AquaZoo/Sea Emperor Wreck. I had taken all the usual precautions to ensure a smooth trip, including taking Bonine, my preferred seasickness medication. Despite my preparations, I found myself battling waves of nausea when hanging onto the mooring line for my safety stop at the end of the first dive.
When I was certifying divers, I had told every class I ever taught that in the event the worse thing happens, and you get sick underwater, keep the regulator in your mouth at all times! (It makes sense if you can force yourself to think about what’s the very next thing you do after getting sick…. Everyone takes a deep gulp of air immediately after vomiting. It’s instinctual and you cannot avoid it.) I’m thankful I had the reinforcement of telling it to so many that I remembered it when it was my turn to test the theory.
I’m (relatively) glad to tell you that yes, you can get seasick into your regulator and continue to breathe from it.
Seasickness, or motion sickness, is a common affliction among scuba divers and boat passengers. It occurs when the inner ear, which helps control balance, sends conflicting signals to the brain. The eyes see something stationary, but the inner ear senses the motion of the waves, leading to a mismatch that results in dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Causes and Effects of Seasickness
Seasickness can be triggered by various factors, including the boat’s movement, the smell of diesel fumes, being bounced around by waves and current underwater and at the surface, and even anxiety about the dive. The effects can range from mild discomfort to severe nausea and vomiting, making it difficult to enjoy the dive or even complete it. In my case, holding onto the mooring line was enough to set off the symptoms, despite my efforts to prevent them.
What to Do If You Think You Are Becoming Seasick
Depending on where you are when it happens, there are several steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms of seasickness:
- Stay Above Deck: Fresh air can help reduce nausea. Staying above deck and focusing on the horizon can help your brain reconcile the conflicting signals from your inner ear and eyes.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can worsen seasickness.
- Eat Light: Avoid heavy, greasy foods before and during the trip. Opt for light snacks like crackers or ginger biscuits.
- Medication: If you haven’t already taken seasickness medication, consider taking it as soon as you start feeling symptoms. Medications like Bonine, Dramamine, and scopolamine patches can be effective.
- Pressure Points: Some people find relief by pressing on acupressure points, such as the P6 point on the wrist.
Home Remedies for Seasickness
In addition to medication, there are several home remedies that can help alleviate seasickness:
- Ginger: Ginger is a natural remedy known for its anti-nausea properties. You can consume ginger in various forms, such as ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger candies. Thank goodness that Skip and his crew had ginger ale on board and it helped me as soon as I got back into the boat.
- Peppermint: Peppermint can help soothe the stomach. Drinking peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candies can provide relief.
- Acupressure Bands: Wearing acupressure bands on your wrists can help reduce nausea by applying pressure to specific points.
- Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety, which can exacerbate seasickness.
My Experience and Lessons Learned
Once I got back onto the boat, the nausea continued, and the seasickness persisted. I found myself leaning over the side of the boat, while my body did what it had to do. It was a humbling experience, reminding me that even the most prepared diver can fall victim to the unpredictable nature of the sea. It didn’t take long, I’m glad to report, for the nausea to pass after I focused on the horizon, took deep breaths, sipped some ginger ale.
By the time the surface interval was over, and the second dive rolled around, I felt more stable and was able to keep diving. The beautiful sponges and corals of Whale’s Tail Reef were a welcome distraction from my earlier discomfort, and I was grateful to have overcome the seasickness enough to enjoy the dive.
Conclusion
Seasickness is an unfortunate but common part of scuba diving and boating. While it can be challenging to deal with, there are various strategies and remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms. From medication to home remedies, divers have several options to manage seasickness and ensure a more enjoyable experience on the water.
For anyone planning a scuba diving trip, it’s essential to be prepared and know how to handle seasickness if it arises. By staying above deck, hydrating, eating light, and using remedies like ginger and peppermint, divers can navigate the waves of nausea and make the most of their underwater adventures.
Story by Christopher Duncan, co-founder. Image created by generative AI… I’m glad to say that no one took a photo of me emptying my stomach overboard.