By Robin Battley

The anticipation for this dive charter has been building for weeks. You reorganized your work schedule, you worked over time to clear your time, you booked the charter in advance, you caught the last ferry of the day, you drove all night to meet the boat, breakfast was a drive-through coffee and muffin, and nowwell now, here you are leaning over the rail of the boat rising and falling in the swell fighting off "mal de mer", more commonly known as seasickness. Why would they do that? Why do divers go to so much trouble for the dive but forget about the journey to the dive site? With a little preparation, divers could enjoy all aspects of the dive including the boat ride.

To begin, what is seasickness? Why are some of us plagued with it every time we set foot on a dock and others appear relatively immune even through heavy seas? Seasickness is formally a vestibular malfunction resulting in gastric dysrhythmia. Also known as motion sickness, this normal physiologic response is caused by repeated rhythmic stimulation of the inner ear. The up and down motion of a boat easily provides this stimulation and can result in those symptoms known so well, including nausea, vertigo, sweating, fatigue and vomiting.

But there's often no need to run to your nearest pharmacy to stock up on an array of drugs to combat seasickness. There are many non-medicinal remedies that will work in varying degrees for different people. It's worthwhile to "do your homework" and find what works best for you. One of the most common remedies, unfortunately there's no such thing as a cure, is time. Over one to two days, many people find their system becomes acclimated to the motion of a boat and they are able to function normally. That's great on extended liveaboard cruises but not comforting for day charters.

On shorter charters, avoiding activities that create or emphasize conflicts between your visual and vestibular cues can be helpful. Simply, reading will provide the visual cue that you are stable while at the same time your body senses the motion of the boat. Just as reading in a moving car can create motion sickness, this could cause sea sickness onboard for some people. So avoid reading and writing while underway. Preparing your dive gear while still at the dock or waiting until you have arrived at the dive site can also minimize this visual/kinesthetic conflict. Staying on deck in the fresh air also assists many people. Be careful that your fresh air does not include any engine exhaust. A sniff of carbon monoxide can induce symptoms similar to those of sea sickness with the same results. Other tasks such as looking at the horizon, watching for landmarks in the distance, looking at marine life such as seals on the rocks or birds in the air (without the aid of binoculars) can take a person's mind away from impending mal de mer. On smaller boats or private boats, an opportunity to take the wheel and steer is helpful. Even though seasickness is a real response to ambient motion, sometimes the mind can be distracted. Many people do not experience seasick ness because they have no expectation of it while on a boat.

For those who have a tendency toward motion sickness though, there are other options. Ginger ale has long been a home remedy for settling upset stomachs. Your mother would be pleased that ginger is now available in many formsginger ale, ginger snap cookies, ginger tea, and ginger capsules to name a few. Along with the basic saltine cracker, ginger has assisted in overcoming mal de mer for decades. These remedies have no drug side-effects such as drowsiness or blurred vision and have no dosage limits.

Another remedy gaining more popularity is the Sea Band, a simple pair of elastic wrist bands recently introduced to the market which hold a plastic or wooden ball against the insides of your wrists. The bands are designed to stimulate the Neiguan or P6 acupuncture point thereby lessening the sense of nausea in the individual. Many claim they work while others claim they don't.

One of the most effective remedies remains to arrive for your boat trip well-rested and well-fed. Your charter crew will be able to give you tips onboard as well should the need arise. Remember, sea sickness does affect different people to varying degrees but it gets all of us sooner or later. Know the best remedies for yourself. If that includes a drug remedy, please consult your physician. Then you can spend more energy enjoying both the dives and the scenery.