My first dive experience, got sick

[prodjbm]

Before I was certified I did one of those so called suicide dives in mexico (now being certified I know why they are called that) But anyway while we were diving I started feeling sick and had a headache, real sick and thought I was gonna throw up and I dind't know what the heck to do while I was under water, they didn't go over that lol.... But I held it in and when the dive was finally over and I hit the surface I puked my guts up, yes I chummed the water. The water was a little rough and we were getting moved around pretty good and I am a little prone to sea sickness so maybe that was it, any ideas? I was nervous when I went to the cert class that the same thing might happen but it didn't

[ScubaToys Larry]

Nerves, ears not being equalized, rough water - heck it was on vacation, too much sun, beer, foreign food and water... could have been a ton of things.

Glad to hear you made it through the class without testing the efficiency of the pool filter!

[Scubastud16]

Congrats on the cert! Sorry to hear your first experience is bad. If all else fails, just puke through that reg, and make sure you get it serviced

[greyzen]

that sounds like a case of motion sickness.

You might want to look into some anti-motion sickness pills, or dive a bit deeper to see if you can get under the current (if possible)

[subsur]

i would suspect motion sickness. dramamine helps but has a side effect so you should try it on land first and see how you han handle it. meclazine is another drug that minimizes side effects. it helps me a lot. the side effect - i feel sleepy at 5 pm. also, try the drug on land first to see the side effects if any. there are other drugs as well.

[rktman26]

If you know you're gonna puke, switch to your octo and puke though it. Then you can switch back to your reg and not have to breathe through your vomit.
Just a thought.

[CaptainRon]

Ginger capsules are great for motion sickness with no side effects.....if you ever run across the Myth Busters episode #43 where they tested it, you would be amazed at how well it works. We've had several motion sickness prone friends try it and it worked great for them. I purchased a bottle of 100 capsules at Walmart for less than $4. They also work well when you over indulge on one of those after dive celebrations......

Here is a synopsis of the episode:

Seasickness: Kill or Cure

The MythBusters tested various seasickness cures. They wanted to see if any non-pharmaceutical, no-side-effect remedy would work.
Motion sickness is caused by your brain being unable to process conflicting signals from your sense: your eyes tell you that your surroundings are still, but your inner ear and your fine muscle controls are telling you that things are moving.
Test setup

They built a chair modeled after NASA's seasick chair. The chair spun around at 7 rpm while the person in the chair was ordered to move their head to touch tennis balls positioned in front, behind, and to the sides.
Finding the test subject

They had to figure out who in the MythBusters crew was susceptible to seasickness. Adam was a sure bet because of previous seasickness during the Jaws Special. Sure enough, Adam got quesy within 3 and half minutes on the chair. After a half an hour in the chair, Jamie was still fine. Kari and Tory were both fine as well. Grant became the final test subject. He lasted longer than Adam, but he got sick as well.
Remedy Testing

• Homoepathic tongue tingler. They used a unnamed spray that you squirt under the tongue as often as needed. Grant was sick within 10 minutes and vomited some small chunks. Adam was sick within 4 minutes.
• Wrist straps:They wore little gray wristbands that are 'Barry Manilow's choice.' Adam was sick within 90 seconds. Grant got sick as well. They've gotten pretty quick with bringing a bucket to Grant.
• *Ginger pills: It worked! Adam and Grant were both fine.
• Small shocks on the P6 Accupunture point (on the wrist): Both Adam and Grant got sick.
• Placebo: They told Grant and Adam they were getting an over-the-counter pharmaceutical remedy, but they actually gave them vitamins. Adam's reponse: "I hate this [bleeping] chair" after three and a half minutes. Grant: "This is among the most effective, if not the most effective."
• Over-the-counter pharmaceutical drug: Worked on Adam and Grant, but it made them both a little loopy.

Only thing that worked without any side effects was the ginger pill.
Ginger pills: plausible

[JahJahwarrior]

As other's have said, you can throw up through a regulator, jus tlike you can spit in it, or if it's got water in it, clear it. The biggest thing is to relax and be calm, don't panic. Have your octo ready incase you feel you cannot clear the regulator, or as some have said, switch to your octo until you feel better

In general, though, don't ever be afraid to call the dive, if you feel sick, if you feel paranoid, if you feel cold, whatever, don't be afraid or feel bad to tell your buddy that it jsut isn't the time for you to dive.


And if you are susceptible to motion sickness, take something for it. Once one person is chumming, others will likely start---even if it makes you not feel the greatest, please take something for the sake of others on the boat! In my case, if I see or hear someone throwing up I become extremely light headed and often cannot stand up. Everything kind of looks fuzzy or white and I can't think straight, and I'll break out in the most miserable feeling cold sweat. That's one of the reasons that I am so glad I live near springs and never have to venture on to a dive boat--if anyoen else got sick I'd be miserable the entire day. Heck, in Psych recently we watched a video on brain surgery and I almost passed out....

[prodjbm]

Hey JahJahwarrior,
I see you are from gainsville Fl, I have place in Chiefland Fl and have done all 10 of my dives in spings and swannee river (other than the suicide dive) Hoping to hook up with another ST board member next time down to get a dive in.

Bill

[bversteegh]

The scopolomine patch works wonders if it is motion sickness - and I never had any side effects (requires a prescription).

One other thing to check - does your regulator breath wet (or mouthpiece not fit very well?) I used to get sick underwater somewhat regularly, and thought it was motion sickness. But it was always towards the end of a dive, and didn't matter whether they was current/surge or not. Finally figured out I was getting a tiny amount of salt water with every breath (really didn't notice it that much) - Got a new regulator, and haven't been sick since.

BTW - don't try and switch to your octo - keep the regulator in your mouth. Because right after you vomit, you will involuntarily gasp for air - and if no reg in your mouth cause you're switching, you'll get a mouthfull of sea water, and potentially be in big trouble - now drowning as well as sick. Just vomit right through your reg; get a breath, and then exhale forcefully to clear it (use the purge valve if necessary). Unfortunately, voice of experience speaking.