Expedition 13 Mail Buoy: December 11

Hi my name is Natalie Tabak, and I'm from Miss Sheild's 7th grade science class. Is there any special training you could do beforehand that made it so you wouldn't get seasick? Or anything to prevent seasickness? Because, I myself get queasy VERY easily from going on amusement park rides, seeing blood, long car rides, etc. Therefore even if I really wanted to go to the ocean, I wouldn't be suited for it, which would be disappointing. (I know medicine is an option, but is there any other?) Thanks for trying to answer my question.

Natalie

Dear Natalie:

No one has been able to give me a sure-fire way to prevent seasickness, but several of the scientists admit to occasionally feeling queasy. Luckily, we've had pretty calm seas, so it hasn't been an issue for anyone that I know of. Here are a few ways that people try to fight motion sickness:

* Ginger (candied ginger, ginger gum, or ginger ale) is supposed to help reduce symptoms
* Get plenty of fresh air
* Stare at the horizon
* Stay busy
* Stay hydrated

The key is to not let it stop you from doing what you want to do.

—Ken Kostel, Science Writer, WHOI