Spending a day on the water is an exciting experience for experienced and inexperienced boaters in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The three stats are packed with ample boating opportunities between the lakes, rivers, reservoirs, inland waters, and the open Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, nearly one in three people fall ill to motion sickness. Motion sickness when on board a vessel is called being seasick. Here is what you need to know about seasickness. 

What Causes Seasickness

If you’re wondering what causes sea sick it begins in the inner ear because the inner ear plays a critical role in maintaining balance. When a vessel is rocking and pitching, the ear’s fluids become disoriented due to the motion—the disorientation results in seasickness. It is essential to understand the simplicity of seasickness and that it is nothing to become fearful of. 

What Is Being Seasick

Seasickness is the same as motion sickness but instead is caused by the motion of a boat. When becoming seasick, the person feels nauseous, vomiting, and cold sweats. The symptoms subside with time after returning to the dock. 

How Do You Prevent Seasickness

The onset of seasickness can be prevented for some but unfortunately, despite all of the efforts is not avoidable for all. Consider these methods to help avoid becoming sick from the motion of a vessel underway or at anchor. 

Eyes On The Horizon

Imagine an old salty captain yelling “Keep Your Eyes On The Horizon” like in the movies. 

When the boat departs the dock, maintain a forward-facing position to the point where the sky and the water meet. Avoid looking to the side or downward as this causes the body’s equilibrium to become disoriented, thus resulting in seasickness. 

Adjust Food And Alcohol Consumption

If you know beforehand that you are prone to seasickness, adjust the food and beverage consumed before the adventure. 

Avoid overindulging in alcohol before departure. Overindulging puts your body in an already weakened position and amplifies the effects of seasickness.

Avoid spicy and greasy foods and eat lighter than usual when it comes to food. Lastly, consider creating meals that include ginger, as ginger naturally helps prevent motion sickness. 

Medication

One of the most effective ways to avoid or reduce the effects of being motion sick is Dramamine. If you are unsure if you will become ill or know you will become sick, we recommend taking the medication before departure. One drawback is the medicine causes drowsiness. 

We recommend a 36 count Dramamine bottle of motion sickness pills offered by Amazon.

Seasick Bands

Seasick bands are worn around the wrist and apply pressure, reducing the effects of nausea. Bands are an excellent option for first-time boaters. You can find seasick bands Amazon.

Avoid Reading

Focusing your eyes on small words combined with a rocking boat leads to disastrous consequences. The combination of the two increases the onset of seasickness. Avoid reading after departing the dock. 

How Long Does Being Seasick Last

Once the trip has ended and the vessel returns to the dock, or you get your sea legs, the effects of seasickness are not immediately reversed. 

The duration of the trip impacts the amount of time required to return to feeling free of symptoms. Longer trips result in prolonged recovery times compared to short trips. Expect the body’s equilibrium to balance up to two days after setting foot on land. 

Can Seasickness Be Fatal

No, seasickness itself does not kill you. Seasickness varies based on the duration of time spent on the water. Boaters who depart the dock for a day’s adventure have the opportunity to return earlier than anticipated when illness sets in compared to those on an extended voyage such as a cruise ship.

Seasickness does not cause death but rather the symptoms of becoming sick from the motion of a rocking vessel kills people.

When falling ill to seasickness, one of the primary symptoms includes vomiting. Vomiting frequently results in dehydration. Those who encounter severe dehydration are susceptible to death. As unappealing as it sounds while being sick, ensure to drink water despite the onset of seasickness. 

Why Do I Get Seasick But Not Car Sick

The motion of a vessel is entirely different than that of a car. Boat’s pitch and heave in rough conditions at an excessive rate. A car is not subject to the same amount of motion as a watercraft. 

Don’t Let The Fear Of Seasickness Spoil Your Opportunity To Head On The Water

The next time you have the chance to book a cruise or spend a day on a lake, river, or coastal waters, don’t let the fear of seasickness hold you back. Advanced preparation aids in the reduced likelihood of becoming sick. Remaining back at the dock prevents you from experiencing a day of fishing, cruising, or engaging in watersports.