Sea sick ( motion sickness ) medication really needs to be taken prior to even driving to the marina. As to seasick meds, Read and follow the instructions. Some are many hours prior.....not when you start to feel sick.
Some make you drowsy, something that you do not need a
skipper or crew, or even a passenger. Also, with all the other illness meds in the OP's system there may have been some mixing and matching of meds that could cause trouble. Plus inner ear infection..
Many decades as a professional skipper ( U.S.C.G lic to 500 tons ).....including lots of charters and deliveries, and
blue water sailing, plus international sailing.
Here is what I found to recommend.....however, as others mentioned, some of all those magic bands, ginger, pills, patches, etc will work for some, and not for others. And some of them not for any one. But follow the proper printed procedures by the pill or patch companies.
i would recommend prior to sailing or motor vessel fun days or charters.
1. No booze the night before
2. Good Healthy Breakfast, and no abundance any liquid. And, lay off the juices, coffee, soda pop, any thing acidic etc.
Some of the worst : party the night before, have a few donuts, and a few cups of coffee the next morning......almost 100 % chance of being sea sick.
Stay up top side, do not go down below. If you are getting sick, lay over the downwind port or starboard quarter.....or over the stern. Have some one grab tightly to the back of your belt...strong hold. That way the ill person knows that they are not going to fall off the boat into the ocean.
Will not work with bikinis....although it might make an interesting sea story at the bar.
Also, I will have a wet towel for them to wipe off their face and self. Take care of them.
It also can help to put them to work, watching for traffic, enjoying the coastal views, taking some
helm time, and trimming sails.
DO NOT LET THEM GO DOWN BELOW OR INTO THE
MARINE HEAD.
on a fun day sail......if, no renevue, and some one was really sick, I would do a 180 and return to the harbor. Many times once back inside calm waters, they will recover, and we would still have a fun
day sailing / motoring the many interesting channels inside
Newport Bay.
Other times, once you pull into your slip or on to a side tie, and they get their feet on terra firma.....problem can go away. Sometimes not.
Another point, we have all invited people to go sailing and or flying with us.
If they say, " No, I get sick, or it scares me," I just let is slide and we can share good times on land adventures. I do not badger or belittle them.
Also....if some on board gets sea sick, dont start telling sea sick stories. You are going to have more than one person with mal de mere. many times, just hearing a person next to you wretching, others can be effected as well. You may have a line of them checking the prop, chumming for tuna, etc. Not good.
Point being, make sure the people coming, want to be there, and have a pre
cruise meeting before time. Advise them as how to prevent feeling sick as well as how the day will go....proper footwear, jackets for later in the day, visors or hats with chinstraps, sunscreen, water, treats, food,
music etc..
once on board
Also, just like pre flighting an airplane, you can go thru the weather reports, your sail plan for the day, and also, let them know how much
fuel is on board, in hours and how much time you will be out on the briney. Lots of reserve is good.
Check the
oil and the belts, and engine and tranny operation,
coolant. Do not only show them where the life jackets are stowed, but chose one of them, and demonstrate how to put a life jacket on. Briefly explain man
overboard procedures, as well as one and for you and one had for the boat. Prevent problems in the first place.
In addition to the throwable M.O.B horseshoe
PFD, on the stern, I tie an additional life jacket on the stern pulpit, slip
knot for easy release and throwing to person
overboard.
I will also add in other safety ideas, as well as running
rigging, head operation, flare gun kit, and one easy lesson on the
VHF, in case something would happen to me.
Emergency phone numbers for coasties, harbies, and vessel assist.
No, this does not scare anyone, but what are they seeing....
This skipper is a professional and they are going to be in good hands. many will want to act as crew, others will be soaking up the rays.
And another thing may happen. Instead of just okole sitting, they get involved, and when the day ends they just might say..
" I like this sailing, or
power boating, I want to learn, where can I go to do this ? "
Now, there is a super successful end to a day sail, or charter or a first flight in a general aviation aircraft.
Those comments really make me feel good. Bringing someone into sailing or flying.
As to preventing sea sickness ( may or may not work since all of us are different ) and I also used this as a professional pilot...
The seven P's....".Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance."
For boats, on additional thought:
Skippers responsibility is to the crew, passengers and vessel. All three.