Tips to Prevent Seasickness During Water Sports
November 21
What can be the least pleasant aspect of going to sea? Perhaps the possibility of suffering from seasickness. Unfortunately, sea sickness prevents you from visiting your dream destination. Also, its effects can pose serious threats to one’s life if it remains unmanaged.
So, is there any solution to prevent open water motion sickness and stay comfortable while enjoying your favourite water sports? Good hydration and sensible eating are usually required to prevent sea sickness.
Tips to Prevent Seasickness During Water Sports
If you get seasick, don’t worry because you’re not alone. A lot of people travelling on a ship in rough water get motion sickness. But the good news is recovery from seasickness is just a matter of time, with a survival rate of 100%.
Here are a few expert tips to avoid seasickness while cruising or riding a jet ski:
- Relax as much as you can because if you’re stressed or anxious, you will likely become ill during the ride.
- Focus on the horizon during your ride to help your brain set up a reference point. This approach will help your body maintain a balance between your eyes and inner ear.
- Avoid spicy, salty, or greasy foods before any water sport that involves motion because they can dehydrate you. It is advised to keep your meals light on the day of your activity to prevent seasickness.
- If you’re a frequent sufferer of seasickness, take over-the-counter medications to reduce the likelihood of open-water motion illness.
Seasickness: Signs and Symptoms
Before going into the details of symptoms of seasickness, we’ll cover what actually sea sickness is. Seasickness is a kind of motion illness that refers to a sudden response to a motion stimulus.
An erratic motion of the vessel on the water usually causes it, where your body does not maintain a sensory balance between what you see and observe. On a boat, for example, this miserable condition appears when you’re exposed to unknown movements. In other words, you might get seasick even under the right conditions.
Signs and Symptoms
Individuals’ susceptibility to open-water motion sickness is highly variable. However, the most common water-sports-related illnesses are:
- Irritation of eyes
- Pneumonia
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Nausea
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Headache
These symptoms can even get worsened by the strong odours of fumes, fish, and diesel. You can experience any of these health conditions during the first 24 hours of sail setting. And you will start feeling good once your body adapts to the ship’s motion.
Water Sports that can Cause Seasickness
You might experience any of the seasickness symptoms when enjoying the following water-based activities:
Sailing or Boating
The constant motion of a boat can be disturbing if you’re not truly immune. Your eyes see the boat’s movement, but what about your inner ear, which helps maintain balance? Your inner ear does not detect the boat’s motion.
This mismatch between what you see and what you feel can stimulate your brain to release stress-related hormones. And it ultimately results in vomiting, vertigo, nausea, and dizziness.
Scuba Diving
Seasickness is the most common reason that prevents scuba divers from exploring their dream destinations. During scuba diving, you float on the water’s surface and move with waves. So, if you focus too much on close objects like coral or fish, it can result in seasickness.
Cruising
The large cruise ships may seem stable, but they can also lead to sea sickness. The gentle rocking of these ships is enough to disturb your sense of balance. The slow and steady movements of cruise ships can make you feel uneasy, especially in rough seas.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiing is an exciting water-based activity, but it can also cause open-water motion sickness if you ignore the protocols. However, morning rides are ideal for beginners to avoid encountering strong waves.
Furthermore, during jet skiing,a certified instructor is present throughout the ride who assures the safety of the rider. Maintain eye attention on a distant object to help organize your brain. Always select a day when the weather is calm for an unforgettable experience.
Final Thoughts
Seasickness is a common condition that can make you feel disoriented. This happens when your body loses the balance between what you’re observing and what you’re feeling. Water sports that involve sharp turns and high speeds, such as, sailing, cruising, and scuba diving, can cause the symptoms of seasickness.
So, it is wise to keep moving, stay on the deck, and maintain your fluid intake to ease the signs of this condition. Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed because many people, including professional fishers and seasoned travelers, get seasick.