Sea Sickness - Best Preventions

[madforboats]

Taking the family cruising and for the first time we'll be heading outside of protected waters. My 8yo daughter gets sea sick so I'm looking for opinions on the best ways to handle it.
A few answers I don't need:
"stay on Land (or inside waters)"
"have a beer"
"harden up princess"
I'd like to hear about magnetic bands, tablets etc. and (other than stabilizing the boat) the best options for her in terms of position on board etc.
Cheers

[jkindredpdx]

Transderm Scop Patch Transderm Scop (Scopolamine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions - Prescribing Information at RxList or if you want to try to stay natural consume Ginger.

[cathnath]

Sturgeron are really good tablets. They work really well to contain seasickness, however do make you a bit sleepy. I bought them when in Singapore. Can't buy them here in New Zealand though which is a real pain. In Paihia the local pharmacist makes a drug up called the Paihia Bomber which is specifically for sea sickness. SeaLegs also good. Wrist bands I am dubious about, however if I do get queasy pressing on the pressure point on wrist helps a bit. Can always ask her to steer the boat, that is the best remedy of all!

[madforboats]

Originally Posted by jkindredpdx

Transderm Scop Patch Transderm Scop (Scopolamine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions - Prescribing Information at RxList or if you want to try to stay natural consume Ginger.

Apparently the patches are banned in Australia - I'll have a look out for them though - thanks.

[ontherocks83]

Bonine works really well for me. I believe they do make it in a childrens dose

[ontherocks83]

also if she can steer, be above deck and keep her attention out of the boat all these will help.

If she is reading, playing on a tablet, or focusing on something small in front of her it will make it all worse. All of this will be compounded if she does it down below.

[robert sailor]

Never met a sailor that didn't get good results from Stugeron

[Stochastic]

Patches are great - if you can get them. They do cause drowsiness for many, but for someone not on night watch, should not be a problem. I have a 10yo daughter. She and Mom get sea sick. Band work for my daughter but not for Mom. I suspect there is a placebo effect with my daughter but that's just dad being judgmental. In either event, they cost very little (the elastic bands with a plastic nob attached) and can store anywhere, so we keep a few aboard for guests too. - Oh, when my daughter was 8, she thought the bands were a fashion statement also part of the reason I think they worked....best of luck. When mom and daughter are happy, the boat is happy - so do what ever it takes

[dannc]

The bands worked to an extent with my mother. My mother gets motion sick in the back of a car so anything that will minimize or stop her from getting sick is a good thing. I don't think the bands completely stop her from getting sea sick but it helped.

I have heard that the various drugs work though some require you to take the meds before getting on the boat and some make you sleepy.

The bands don't really cost that much and if they work it is great and no drugs are needed, if they do not work, well you are not out very much.

Later,
Dan

[wellin]

I would, if possible, let her take the helm. If she can stand up and hold the wheel i would teach her how to steer. By standing up she can let the boat sway around while she stays focused out on the horizon. Problem is that it feeds on itself so you need to recognize the first sign of sickness. In a plane, that is usually when paasengers stop talking. Then get them on the wheel fast. While they still think they will be ok. By the time they feel warm or sweaty fore head, its too late.

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[pickpaul]

A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree. - Spike Milligan

[Stu Jackson]

Taking the wheel is always a good idea, but I would think that for an 8 yo child/crew it would entail a limited amount of time on a passage. So, waddya do the REST of the time, right?

Really, there have been sooo many, many, many seasick posts, over the years, and nothing much has changed: placebos, drugs (depends on where you live or can source), ginger. Those are main areas of "cures & preventatives" and if you Goggle the topic, and Google seasickness and kids, you will have enough reading for a Pacific Crossing.

Good luck.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by pickpaul

A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree. - Spike Milligan

Originally Posted by madforboats

A few answers I don't need:
"stay on Land (or inside waters)"
"have a beer"
"harden up princess"
I'd like to hear about magnetic bands, tablets etc. and (other than stabilizing the boat) the best options for her in terms of position on board etc.
Cheers

just sayin...

[DefinitelyMe]

The best seasickness medication i've come across is cannabis. Perhaps not appropriate for an 8yo though. I think all this advise is good. Stugeron is good stuff. I find that if it makes me drowsy then it's because it's needed. Get her to take it just before she goes to bed. Also, cut up some ginger into thin slices and put it into a water bottle. The ginger helps with the sea sickness and it's very important to stay hydrated. It also makes the water more interesting for a young child. If vomiting is occurring the pills won't stay down long enough to be absorbed, so switch to suppositories. At the end of the day though there is no substitute for sea time. At least a week in one shot is best. How long is the passage?

[giant]

Sturgeron (Cinnarizine), nothing works better.

The one time I got sea sick due to big confused sea and having to go below to do SSB radio schedule. I was actually puking profusely and stuck the tablet under my tongue and immediately felt better and no more puking, amazing.

Apparently it is un patent-able because it has been around so long so no one wants to pay for its approval in Oz so the stupid government won't let us have access to it. You have to buy it when you are overseas Europe/USA and sneak it in or over the internet.

Drink lots of water and some electrolytes.