Feeling seasick while fishing is not only annoying, but it can also significantly affect your ability to fish and your fishing experience. While there is no specific cure for preventing seasickness, there are a few things you can do to help prevent seasickness on a fishing boat.
Take a few minutes to read the following tips on how to prevent and fight seasickness so you can enjoy the best fishing in florida with Reel Coquina fishing charters in St Petersburg, Florida.
What is Sea Sickness?
Seasickness happens when the inner ear, which controls our balance, conflicts with a boat’s unsteady movement on the water.
Seasickness is a type of motion sickness, which affects up to 60 percent of all people at least once in their lives. Seasickness occurs when the eyes and inner ear don’t send adequate signals to the brain, resulting in a feeling of seasickness. When your inner ear senses motion and balance are off, it sends a signal to the vomiting center of your brain telling you to throw up and leading you to feel ill in high seas.
Seasickness is a response to the motion of a boat, which can trigger nausea, dizziness, headaches, and cold sweats. The symptoms of sea sickness can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, can be so debilitating that people cannot function.
What causes seasickness?
Absolutely anybody can get seasick on a fishing trip. That said, there are many factors and conditions that tend to exacerbate seasickness, nausea, and vomiting.
- Aging. Older people are much more likely to experience motion sickness such as seasickness. As we age, we lose our sense of balance that increases the likelihood of feeling motion sick on a boat.
- Alcohol. Drinking alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to adjust to motion, making you get seasick.
- Dehydration. If you aren’t drinking enough water, you could become dehydrated, which may contribute to seasickness and make it more severe.
- Fatigue. Feeling tired before or during a boat trip makes you more susceptible to getting seasick. Make sure to have a good night’s sleep before your deep sea fishing trip.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is another potential threat to boat users. When engines run in poorly ventilated areas, carbon monoxide can build up. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, and nausea.
- Eating certain foods before boarding a vessel may contribute to seasickness. Some food has a higher tendency to upset your stomach.
- Being in enclosed spaces. You might get seasick if you stay below deck or in a small room.
- The time it takes to get to your destination. Longer trips tend to cause more seasickness than shorter ones.
- Windy or stormy weather can also cause and enhance seasickness. Indeed, the swell affects the boat’s motion that affects your body.
- Bright sunlight bouncing off the water is another factor that can enhance seasickness.
- The smell of diesel fuel and saltwater can make some people feel seasick.
- Pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnant women and women who have just given birth are more likely to suffer from motion sickness and seasickness.
- Tendency to motion sickness from other causes such as cars, amusement park rides, roller coasters, etc.
5 Easy Tricks to Prevent Motion Sickness Before your Fishing Trips
Preparation is key to minimizing or avoiding motion sickness during fishing charters. If you are susceptible to seasickness, it is essential to take preventative steps before you board the vessel. Check these simple tips!
1. Stay Hydrated.
Therefore, staying hydrated and drinking water or electrolyte-enhanced drinks reduces the severity and frequency of seasickness. Drink plenty of fluids before and during your trip, especially water. Note that cold beer is not a good drink to help you prevent seasickness.
2. Avoid Drinking Alcohol Before and During the Deep Sea Fishing Trip.
Avoid overindulging in alcohol the night before a boat trip. Even a mild hangover could aggravate seasickness symptoms.
If you drink alcohol while fishing, do so in moderation. Alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to adjust to motion and makes you feel worse.
3. Eat Lightly Before Boarding.
Eat light, bland foods before you go on your trip. Stay away from spicy or acidic foods, which may upset your stomach and digestive system. You should also avoid processed and greasy foods.
Before you go on a fishing trip, the best foods are light and bland foods, such as freshly sourced and nutritious meals. Think oatmeal, fruit, and vegetable, along with lean protein. Don’t skip breakfast; an empty stomach will make you feel worse.
4. Stay above Deck and Sit in the Middle or Back of the Boat.
If you can, sit in the middle or back of the boat. That will help you keep your balance and reduce the motion that makes you seasick.
5. Don’t Stare at the Waves.
Don’t focus on the waves or watch them too closely. Look at the horizon instead; this will help you avoid feeling sick.
What to take for seasickness? Remedies if You do Feel Sea Sickness Onboard
Even though there is no definitive cure for seasickness, there are a few options that may help you combat nausea and manage the symptoms.
Take a Deep Breath.
When you feel seasick, take a few deep breaths and relax. The fresh air will help to center yourself and stop the feeling of being sick.
Consider Taking Dramamine
Dramamine can fight nausea in the stomach because it blocks receptors in the brain that contribute to motion sickness.
Dramamine has been FDA-approved for use on gastrointestinal ailments and is available over the counter at most drug stores.
It is best to take it the night before your deep sea fishing trip . Note that Dramamine is less effective when you take it after the symptoms appear.
Bring Ginger Root and Treats with You Onboard
The ginger root has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine to reduce nausea, vomiting, and headaches by increasing gastric juice secretion.
You can either chew on a piece of ginger, suck on some ginger candy or drink ginger ale during your trip. Ginger capsules are also available at many pharmacies or online stores.
Soak ginger and mint in warm water and drink it all day. The solution reduces anxiety and maintains hydration simultaneously.
Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedy
The use of aromatherapy may also help to prevent motion sickness. The use of scents like lavender, peppermint, or rosemary can reduce nausea. You can apply aromatherapy in the form of perfume, scented oils, or even fresh flowers.
Smell a Slices Lemon or Lime
Lemon and lime are also effective in reducing the symptoms of seasickness. Cut a lemon or lime into small slices and sniff them. You can also eat the slices after peeling them off.
Get Scopolamine Patch
Scopolamine requires a prescription from a physician. It has been demonstrated that the medication can help reduce nausea and vomiting. Apply medication between your eyes with this patch. The enzyme prevents acetylcholine from affecting the body and increases muscle fiber formation.
Pressure points
The acupuncture points below our wrists help with motion seasickness. Massage around all three fingers on each finger until one finger is under each hand. You could also rub these pressure points with your index finger. This technique works best if you’ve just boarded or are about to board the boat.
Get Prescription Medication
There are other medications that are available to help with seasickness. Your doctor can prescribe them if you have a history of getting seasick, have a fear of water or have a fear of vomiting.
Conclusion
We at the Reel Coquina team hopes that these few tips will help you avoid seasickness and enjoy your deep sea fishing trip. If any of these remedies do not work for you, we recommend that you speak with your doctor about the best option for you.
Book your deep sea charter in St. Petersburg, Florida today with Reel Coquina!
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