Attention pilots, need help with sickness

[C-grunt]

I've been temporarily assigned to the air unit on my department. Went up in the helicopter yesterday and started feeling sick after about 20 minutes. One of the pilots told me to start a Dramamine regimen. Anything else that will help?

[26 Inf]

Temporarily can mean a lot of things, this may be worth while: http://transdermscop.com/transderm-scop-patient-information.htm

There are also OTC patches: https://www.walmart.com/ip/MQ-reg-Motion-Sickness-Patch-20-Count-Box/107388345

My folks were big cruisers and my mom suffered from seasickness - patches worked best for her.

I taught EVOC for a long time, sometimes when students really had no feel for the vehicle and wanted to manhandle it you start to get queasy. I found that moving the seat forward so I could brace against the seat better, helped me feel the vehicle and reduced the commotion.

You didn't say anything challenging to the pilot like 'Make me sick' did you? :jester:

Good luck, as you get used to the inputs it will probably smooth out.

[philcam]

Front seat or back? If you’re in the front ask the pilot of you can shadow him on the controls. It helps to feel if your in control. In the back on the cameras? It going to take a while to adjust. You’re getting vertigo because your body is doing something and your eyes are seeing another. Take a break. Look at the horizon. Drink lots of water. It will get better after a few flights.

[Honu]

ginger can help for a natural
capsule of the powder can work
fresh shaved into a fizzy drink which can be good if you like ginger flavor

we used to say "Keep your decks clean with marezine"
Marezine does not hit the CNS its targeted at just the gut where dramamine hits the CNS more
so marezine side effects can be less for some folks (less drowsy etc...) worth looking into if you think about dramamine


patch and other things I have no experience with

ditto eyes on horizon and fresh air
dehydration can also be a cause or allow it to effect you more

[C-grunt]

I'm here for 3 weeks after a critical incident. Riding back seat in the chopper.

[just a scout]

Talk to your doc about a prescription for Zofran.


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[Pilot1]

I've never been motion sick in an airplane as pilot, or passenger. However, on a sail boat once I went below deck to go to the bathroom, and as the boat healed over I saw the water rushing by the port hole, which most likely confused my brain, and inner ear, because I felt no motion, but saw it. Once I stopped looking out of the port hole it went a way. Also, when sailing, we were always taught to focus on the horizon if we felt any motion sickness coming on. I don't know if that will help you in the helicopter, but you could try it.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Dramamine works for the wife, she's got motion sickness from helos, catamarans, planes, cars. She also swears by those motion sickness bracelets which put pressure on a pressure point on your wrists.

I've never been sick on a boat, plane, helo, or a car but I have gotten sick as dog when I use to ride the back of ambulances. No windows to look out while sitting bumping down the road after a shift made me hurl.

[GH41]

Like others said.. The horizon is your friend. During my many years offshore I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people that were fine on deck but couldn't go below deck without blowing their guts out.

[MegademiC]

It seems everyone is different. As long as i can see a stationary object or plane (like the ocean), and my mind can make sense if what im feeling(up, left, roll right, etc, ) im fine. If i start doing focused work close to me and im moving, i get a little queasy.

Fwiw, an old captain told me if you get sick, sprite helps.
Why?
It gives you something to puke up, and youll feel better for a few minutes :)

[nimdabew]

Breath. Nervous flyers tend to not breath, grab onto something solid (chair), and close their eyes. Keep your hands on your knees (if you can), breath steady breaths, and look outside the aircraft when possible. Keep a few sick sacks in your pocket and a ziplock bag to put the full sacks for later disposal. The smell of puke will make you want to puke again later. Before the flight, out something in your stomach, even if it is just a granola bar, and try not to focus on close in things.

[rjacobs]

ride a Barany Chair a bit.... you will get over your motion sickness... you will also vomit a lot... but you will get over your motion sickness, or provide great entertainment for a lot of people. Either way, good times will be had by all, except probably you, but thats neither here nor there.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I find a huge spaghetti dinner right before flying really helps.

[HardToHandle]

Like others said.. The horizon is your friend. During my many years offshore I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people that were fine on deck but couldn't go below deck without blowing their guts out.

For me, horizon is most helpful.
Meclazine is the generic OTC ingredient that provides most of the assistance on motion induced issues. Will make you sleepy.
Some people acclimate with exposure, as noted, and there are physical therapists who have specific techniques.
Try watching some POV mountain racing and even fast drone flights on the interweb.

You also may have or are developing an allergy to barometric pressure changes. There are some ear plugs and techniques to help, but that generally is not going to go well.

[Buckaroo]

I flew every morning hunting coyotes on the ranch and took Dramamine every morning when I woke up. First time I flew (sans Dramamine) I puked out the side window but never again.
Worked for me...

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