How to Avoid Seasickness While Scuba Diving

Nothing can ruin a scuba diving trip faster than seasickness. There’s no excuse for getting seasick. Like Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Or, in this case, a pound of whatever you had for breakfast or lunch. Don’t think that taking seasickness medication or using prevention is wimpy--it’s just smart. Seasickness can be hazardous for scuba divers, especially. Getting dehydrated following vomiting increases your risk of decompression sickness. Avoid seasickness and you’ll be able to enjoy your dive trip worry free.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gingersnap cookies
• Ginger root or ginger supplements
• Motion sickness preventative medicine containing dimenhydrinate
• Plenty of drinking water
• Acupressure dots or bands to prevent seasickness

How Scuba Divers Can Avoid Seasickness

1. Once you wake up in the morning, begin drinking water. You want to be hydrated. Avoid any sodas, as this will help dehydrate you.
2. Take your medicine or supplement before you get on the dive boat. Don’t wait until you get on the dive boat--it will be too late. If you are worried about the medication making you sleepy, certain varieties now come in the non-drowsy variety.
3. Make sure that you pack some drinking water and gingersnap cookies to take on board the dive boat. Although most dive boats have fresh drinking water on board, you can stow bottled water in a cooler or your dive bag. This way you can avoid moving about the boat unnecessarily and avoid more motion than necessary. And if you’re willing to share your cookies, you will make a lot of new friends.
4. Set up your dive gear before the boat gets underway, if possible. Find a perch on the bow of the boat, or the top of the boat as soon as you can get permission. This will provide you with a nice view of the horizon, help you avoid diesel fumes (which add to that nauseous feeling), and will also provide you with a steady perch, so that you won’t be rocking and rolling down below.

Tips & Warnings

• Always take your seasickness preventative containing dimenhydrinate at least 1-1/2 hours before the dive begins.
• All the preventatives may not be needed. Find out what works best for you.
• Always consult your doctor before trying any supplements or over the counter remedies.
• Always follow dosing instructions.