Oahu Scuba- Oahu Scuba Diving Hawaii ! Dive Oahu Honolulu, discover scuba with us, shipwreck scuba diving, Hawaii scuba, beginner diving, first time scuba diving Oahu advanced, certification courses and referrals. Scuba dive in Oahu - Waikiki Honolulu Diving ! Going diving just got easier !

Seasickness Information for Scuba Diving

Thanks for visiting Oahu Diving's information on seasickness. As you might have guessed, I actually can't believe we have to say this, Oahu Diving and it's staff are not doctors or experts in the medicine or seasickness. Therefore this information below should be only used for entertainment purposes. So go ahead and laugh it up. Sure beats puking in out.

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness that you get on a boat or anything that floats on water characterized by a feeling of nausea and, in extreme cases, vertigo. It is typically brought on by the rocking motion of the boat. Therefore when the wind is strong this could enhance you susceptibility to seasickness. I have seen in rare cases where the water is flat as a lake yet some people have gotten sick and by setting foot on a boat- even if the boat is out of the water in say dry dock. Strange huh.

While others like Oahu Diving's staff and captain are relatively immune. This could be from the fact that we are on boats all the time, some 6 hours a day- getting immune through exposure maybe. This is kind of strange. According to some medical web sites some people have even claimed experiencing sea sickness while watching nautical themed television shows. Now that's extreme.

Prevention- Is the Best for Seasickness

There are many precautionary medicines, devices and special dances that are available these days to fight sea sickness. Some work well for some people and not so well for others. I hate to say this but if this is your first trip on a boat it may be a "hit and miss" situation. Doing the following should be a sure way of eliminating, slowing the progress and softening the intensity of sea sickness. Seasickness is like a headache. Some medicines may or may not work for you.

  1. Food and Diet- It is important to not over indulge before coming out scuba diving with us. Try eating healthy food like yogurt, fruits and salads. Something light. I can say that there are times where we pick our customers up and they are holding a McDonalds bag of food. Usually this type of food due to its content is heavy and thus will aggravate your body during boat rides. Major no no!
  2. Ginger- Powder, Tablets, Roots, Cookies, Ale and Capsules- Ginger is a great alternative to medications. Number one, it is natural so it will not harm your body. Actually I recommend this for everyone. About 1 gram of powdered ginger has been shown effective against seasickness. The Germans say up to 4 grams per day is recommended. Start taking ginger the night before a dive. You can also try gingersnap cookies instead- I know you would like that advice. Ginger root works just as well as the tablets or powder. Ginger ale can also be used. Try going to the Japanese food marts. They sell pickled ginger slices that can be used for the same purpose.
  3. Motion Sickness Patch- I have heard this works great and also have customers who still got seasick on the rides. They sell this at any drug store. User beware, this is a medication so read the box or talk with the pharmacists...actually your doctor would be good.
  4. Motion Sickness Pills- meclizine (less-drowsy Dramamine, Bonine, Antivert), then pills with the active ingredient Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine regular). Marezine (cyclizine) and Stugeron (cinnarizine) seem to be less sleep inducing than all of the above. Other popular antihistamines (Benadryl - diphenhydramine based) also work for some people.
  5. Acupressure bracelets - a drug-free product causing no side effects just strange sun tan lines on your wrists. The band is worn on each wrist for the boating adventure of your trip. Some of these braclets contain small magnets, others just a stud, which should be aligned with a pressure point on your wrist. Periodically apply pressure to the bracelets for best results. This won't work very well if you "miss" the pressure point.
  6. Motion Eaze Natural Oil- This is applied behind the ear and is absorbed through the skin. Also effective if feeling nauseas already. No side effects.
  7. The electronic, drug-free motion sickness ReliefBand® is a electronic, drug-free motion sickness band that is worn on the wrist like a watch. It emits low-level electrical pulses to calm the stomach.
  8. DO NOTHING- That's right. Do nothing, take nothing and go out and see what happens. I have noticed in my years of taking people out in boats that keeping a fresh flow of conversation, good fun and keeping our attention to diving helps distract the mind from the motion of the boat. Again, just something I have noticed.

I find that when you are on the boat. The best thing you can do is just do slow movements around the boat. It is best to look out to the mountains and just fix your lie of sight on a house on the mountain. While doing this have a bottle of water and sip on the water occasionally. Do not chug the water down. Again, here is where you would want to talk with someone to just try to get your mind of the fact that you are not feeling well. Laying down and closing your eyes is a sure way of remaining seasick or even increasing the nauseating feeling that accompanies seasickness. Having some crackers helps too. Try eating some with regular intervals. Do not, and I say this again DO NOT start reading a newspaper or magazine. Similar to reading in the back of a car you can imagine what this will do for you.

Remember folks, for children, elderly people, those using medication, pregnant or breast feeding women - it's best to consult your doctor before taking new medication. Oahu Diving in no way are trained physicians, just professional divers who have been working on the waters for well over 20 years. Therefore as always, check around and seek professional advice on seasickness and if you plan on using medication Google search it well.