Through a Different Lens

Despite having spent a lot of time on boats over the years, I’ve only been seasick once, and it was a feeling I hope never to experience again. At the same time, there are plenty of big water species I want to chase, and I know that at some point I’ll be in position to get ill again. Additionally, I have a feeling that I’m becoming more prone to motion sickness as I get older – in fact, about a decade ago after getting off a nasty ride at Universal Studios (one that most kids seemed to love) I left my Bob Evans breakfast all over the concrete. No one needs to see that again, either.

Therefore in recent trips I’ve taken precautions against missing out on the fun. On several occasions I’ve used non-drowsy Dramamine, and on an overnight trip in Alaska I first tried the Transderm Scop patch. I’m not sure if would’ve gotten sick without it, but I felt so good out there that I got one for all of my family members before we went to Guatemala and none of us got queasy there, despite eating big meals on the boat. There are also wristbands, supplements and other over-the-counter remedies for seasickness, but I haven’t tried them.

One of other piece of advice that I’ve frequently heard is that if you feel like you’re going to get sick you should look toward the horizon. Don’t gaze down, and certainly don’t focus on tying a knot or something small-scale like that.

With that advice in mind, a French company invented a set of glasses that have four lenses – two where they normally go and one on each temple – that are filled with ocean-replicating liquid. They’re supposed to trick your mind and your balancing system into working in concert.

For now, I think I’ll continue with the patch, which has a goofiness factor of 5 versus the solid 9+ offered by the Boarding Glasses, but if any readers want to try them out and report back I’d love to hear if they work (or if your friends merely put a “Kick me!” sign on your back).