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Key Issues You Need to Address
with regard to Seasickness
by Jeffrey S. Wisch, M.D
Prevention of Seasickness
 Be honest about your personal threshold to get sick  Be well rested prior to going offshore  Trial seasickness remedies before going offshore checking for side effects  Start your choice of medication the night before sailing  No alcohol the night before sailing  Eat easily digestible foods the night before sailing and for first 24 hours  Try to remain topside as much as possible when not getting rest for the first 24  Adhere to a strict watch schedule, and get plenty of sleep when off watch  Stay well hydrated If you start to feel sick
 Go topside and attach your tether to the vessel
 Let your watch captain know you feel sick, and inform them of any other personal
 If you are not taking any seasick medications, start immediately  Try to focus on the horizon and if possible and appropriate take the helm  Do not try to read or attempt close visual work  Try hydrating slowly with an electrolyte solution such as Gatorade, Ginger ale or  Saltines may help settle your stomach
 Stay attached to the vessel in the event that you need to vomit
 If you need to vomit try to do so on the leeward side
 Crew mates should help secure the affected individual from going overboard
If you become seasick and have vomited
 Try using a rectal suppository such as Phenergan or Prochlorperazine  If a suppository is not available, try a small sip of an electrolyte solution with a  Try chewing the seasick pill and let the pieces melt in your mouth and under your tongue. This may help absorption into your system if pills are vomited up 20 November 2013, Cruising Club of America  Apply a Scopolamine Patch if suppositories/pills are not available, or if you vomit the pills up. However take care so as not to overmedicate with pills and a patch  Try to lay down, and if possible attempt to sleep in a secure place  Do not try to take fluids or eat anything until you feel better and have given the medications a chance to work. (Usually within 30-60 minutes)  When feeling better repeat some of the items in # 2  Be reassured that most people improve within 24-48 hours For Refractory Vomiting (uncontrollable; not responsive to treatment)
 Assess victim’s condition
 If pulse is weak, or if the victim feels as if they will pass out upon sitting, or
standing, or if there is a change in mental status, then may need to consider
evacuation and should contact the Coast Guard
 While awaiting advice, keep the victim lying down in a secure place with head slightly elevated and turned to the side in the event that they vomit  Do not force oral fluids  Keep the victim warm  Reassure the victim that you are getting help 20 November 2013, Cruising Club of America

Source: http://bermudarace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sas_dy_seasickness_bullets-2.pdf