Question for Flight RN's or EMT-P's

Specialties Flight

Published

I have been flying twice in a ride a long program. The first day I was fine and didn't get sick. The second day I did fine on the way to the scene but coming back to the hospital from a 20 minute flight at about 5 minutes before landing I suddenly got sick and threw up. The flight crew said it is normal and even happens to them occasionally. The ride back was pretty bumpy and it was a very hot day heat index over 100. Is there anything I can do to try to prevent this? I did take some dramamine but it didn't work. Any suggestions? I am already hooked on doing this. It has been so much fun and rewarding, I would hate to not be able to do it . I will get to go up again when it is cooler the flight manager suggested it would probably be better for me. Let me know your ideas.

Tami

I flew airevac for 20 years. There is a saying: There are two types of people that fly low and slow; those that have been sick, and those that will be sick.

don't eat too much before you fly, keep your eye on the horizon (if you can), don't think about it, and always keep a bag in your pocket.

Its always better to be the puker, then the pukee!!

Thanks I will remember that.

Tami

A lot of times airsickness "is in the head" and can be something that can be overcome, but not always. Ever met someone that put their mind to it and no longer was ticklish? I was never one to overcome airsickness but was able to minimize it's effect.

Some things that helped me where: Travel light, no big meals before flying. Personally, I always preferred dry heaves to wet ones--the taste, yuck! Avoid greasy and spicy foods, things that tend to agitate the GI system to begin with. Eat things with which your body is familiar. Try a few(!) saltine crackers, a little water and some flavored Tums. These last three items a put a little something in the stomach to give it "what it wants", help counter the gastric secretions (Tums in particuliar) that often pop up during airsickness, and gives me something to help quell hunger pangs. Try closing your eyes and relaxing if possible. Remove the visual component to airsickness when possible, maybe enroute to a pick-up. When possible, try to focus on the horizon. If it was bumpy going in, often times it'll be bumpy on the back out. Thing about taking dramamine while you're on the ground prepping the PT. Maybe you have enough time for the drug to take effect, 30 mins(?). Dramamine is a "downer", so keep that in mind.

Been where you are more times than I care to remember, 500' off the deck, 225 mph, 95+ degrees F, ,wet from the skin out, no airconditioning or air circulation, two hour low-level run-in, and no windows in a C-130. Not fun... good luck.

Thanks I will keep those in mind

Tami,

I worked as a Flight Nurse for 7 years in Northern CA and I used to have that problem with my patients...who's hemodynamics couldn't tolerate drugs to control their nausea. I used to use wrist bands called "Sea Bands" for myself and all my patients. They worked 100%. You can go here

http://www.morningsicknesshelp.com/seabands.html

Hey there,

I flew for eight years and never got sick once, even in 115 degree heat, but over the last six months I too was getting sick. What I found was that stress can lead to this and eating too much, too fast as well as greasy, fat foods. So, relax and enjoy the ride, find destessors to calm you, eat little meals more often and keep it as healthy as you can. I loved flying as a medic, but as a new nurse, I have to put in my ICU/ER time to fly as a nurse. It's alot of fun. Good-luck.

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