As some of you mite know, I have suffered from a severe case of seasickness ever since Ive started diving more regularly and with proper gear... This was so severe that when out diving for a day Id do one dive off the boat and that was about it, id go up and down 3 or four times and be done for the day. That was until recently, I have done quite a few shore dives in the last few weeks or so and the effects are much less. After a member here contacted me regarding a old thread I started on the subject and via PM we have norrowed it down and almost solved both our cases...
I know there are a few other members here that suffers similar problems so I have decided after this weekends dive wich was in not so good conditions and I came out fine to share what I and the above mentioned member has done to eliminate this dive ruining occurance.
Firstly, make sure you are properly hydrated. I drink at least 1.5l of water a day and 2l or so the day before the dive. Also take a water bottle with you while in the water tied off on your float or somewhere handy, in this way when your on the surface you can have water close by to rinse your mouth of saltwater and keep dryness out of your throat.
Secondly, maintain at least half a decent level of fitness, swimming or running 2 or 3 times a week should do it. You dont have to be super fit, just comfortably so, at least to the extent where your not huffing and puffing by the time your in the suit rofl
Third and also a big factor according to me is the fit and heat level of your suit. I dive in a 5mm opencell wetsuit with long john style pants and incorporated hoody ( your basic spearo suit ). I first noticed the heat and suit thing on a dive in relatively warm waters, where I spent the whole day 6 hours diving in my longjohns and a second skin ( lycra vest ), going down to at least 15m quite often and never once during that dive did I feel seasick except toward the end and only slightly so. So the following factors are to be taken into account in your suit.
1 - It should not make you uncomfortably warm
2 - You should have enough space to move comfortably.
3 - Areas of attention should be, you neck area and your chest and stomack area, you must not feel constricted in these areas at all.
I have gone so far as to modify my suit, not only to make it cooler but also allow for more space and movement in the suit. I cut off my longjohns so that they are now waist high pants, this makes breathing easier and removes a extra 5mm over your chest and stomack area where you would normally have had 10mm of neoprene. I also took a knife and cut slits rite around the neck piece of the suit, not only to allow more space around my neck but also to allow some water to come into the suit and act as a cooling agent ( I get hot quickly
Fourth thing is to limit alcohol consumption and fatty foods a day or two before the dive, a beer or two is fine but dont go on a big night out with your mates the night before a dive and expect to feel tip top if you have this problem, cause you wont. On the morning of the dive have a energade or something like that, you can eat properly afterwards.
As a extra precaution I chew on a piece of strong mint gum while diving, stick it agains your gums and chew while on the survace, this just helps to keep your mind occupied and the flavour removes the taste of salt water and also calms your stomack.
Lastly, and this you should perhaps only try in severe cases like mine or adjust it slightly, also take note I dont get drowsy from over the counter medication even the strong ones that warns itll make you drowsy, so if you do perhaps rethink this part. I start drinking sinus tablets about 3 days before the dive, one a day. This just makes sure your sinuses are clear and alot of these also dry out your ear canal should there have been any mucous residue in the connection tubes between all these bits
A few other things that plays a role here is bad visibility and choppy water but Ive tried the above tips in most conditions over the last few weeks and its been all good.
I hope some of you can use this to your own advantage aswell, I know some of it has worked for my above mentioned freind here on DB, you know who you are. Cause there is nothing that can f#%$& up a days diving like feeling as if you gonna hurl the whole time
I know there are a few other members here that suffers similar problems so I have decided after this weekends dive wich was in not so good conditions and I came out fine to share what I and the above mentioned member has done to eliminate this dive ruining occurance.
Firstly, make sure you are properly hydrated. I drink at least 1.5l of water a day and 2l or so the day before the dive. Also take a water bottle with you while in the water tied off on your float or somewhere handy, in this way when your on the surface you can have water close by to rinse your mouth of saltwater and keep dryness out of your throat.
Secondly, maintain at least half a decent level of fitness, swimming or running 2 or 3 times a week should do it. You dont have to be super fit, just comfortably so, at least to the extent where your not huffing and puffing by the time your in the suit rofl
Third and also a big factor according to me is the fit and heat level of your suit. I dive in a 5mm opencell wetsuit with long john style pants and incorporated hoody ( your basic spearo suit ). I first noticed the heat and suit thing on a dive in relatively warm waters, where I spent the whole day 6 hours diving in my longjohns and a second skin ( lycra vest ), going down to at least 15m quite often and never once during that dive did I feel seasick except toward the end and only slightly so. So the following factors are to be taken into account in your suit.
1 - It should not make you uncomfortably warm
2 - You should have enough space to move comfortably.
3 - Areas of attention should be, you neck area and your chest and stomack area, you must not feel constricted in these areas at all.
I have gone so far as to modify my suit, not only to make it cooler but also allow for more space and movement in the suit. I cut off my longjohns so that they are now waist high pants, this makes breathing easier and removes a extra 5mm over your chest and stomack area where you would normally have had 10mm of neoprene. I also took a knife and cut slits rite around the neck piece of the suit, not only to allow more space around my neck but also to allow some water to come into the suit and act as a cooling agent ( I get hot quickly
Fourth thing is to limit alcohol consumption and fatty foods a day or two before the dive, a beer or two is fine but dont go on a big night out with your mates the night before a dive and expect to feel tip top if you have this problem, cause you wont. On the morning of the dive have a energade or something like that, you can eat properly afterwards.
As a extra precaution I chew on a piece of strong mint gum while diving, stick it agains your gums and chew while on the survace, this just helps to keep your mind occupied and the flavour removes the taste of salt water and also calms your stomack.
Lastly, and this you should perhaps only try in severe cases like mine or adjust it slightly, also take note I dont get drowsy from over the counter medication even the strong ones that warns itll make you drowsy, so if you do perhaps rethink this part. I start drinking sinus tablets about 3 days before the dive, one a day. This just makes sure your sinuses are clear and alot of these also dry out your ear canal should there have been any mucous residue in the connection tubes between all these bits
A few other things that plays a role here is bad visibility and choppy water but Ive tried the above tips in most conditions over the last few weeks and its been all good.
I hope some of you can use this to your own advantage aswell, I know some of it has worked for my above mentioned freind here on DB, you know who you are. Cause there is nothing that can f#%$& up a days diving like feeling as if you gonna hurl the whole time