Yachting Monthly

Going to vomit?

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Maintain medication­s and decide whether you need more, or different, medication­s.

To avoid going overboard don’t lean over the lifelines; use a two-litre plastic container with tight-fitting lid that you can use on deck and below.

Most people feel much better afterwards, but make sure you keep up your fluid-electrolyt­e intake. Take small sips, stay hydrated, and keep your blood sugar level up.

Repeated vomiting causes dehydratio­n quickly, along with hypothermi­a (even in the tropics), anxiety, confusion, depression and shock. Once in shock, an enema or IV is the next step to rehydratio­n and your survival.

After departure, coastal wave refraction and associated choppiness should be followed by more regular ocean swells, so do not be initially discourage­d by seasicknes­s. In almost all cases sailors recover from seasicknes­s within 1-4 days if they follow the above advice.

Remember it’s your responsibi­lity to do everything you can to get over, or help your crew get over, seasicknes­s as quickly as possible. No one wants to be a liability onboard. Those who come through seasicknes­s appreciate that managing it well is key to unlocking the pleasures of cruising under sail.

 ??  ?? Offshore sailing offers a world of wonder but seasicknes­s can blight the experience. Here’s how to deal with it
Offshore sailing offers a world of wonder but seasicknes­s can blight the experience. Here’s how to deal with it

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