Motion Sickness on Helicopters?

[Pure Anergy]

Before I started really researching programs, I knew a lot of them offer the opportunity for residents to ride on a helicopter, but I didn't realize that some of them REQUIRE residents to fly on helicopters. In theory, I'm not completely opposed to the idea, and I'll try just about anything once, within reason. But I'm wondering how common it is to get motion sickness while riding on a helicopter. If any of you had this problem or know someone else who had it, how do you handle it? I'm not sure taking something like meclizine that might make you goofy is the best idea when you're in a helicopter trying to take care of a patient!

If it makes any difference to your answer, I have never been sick on a commercial airplane, I sometimes get sick in cars or on buses if I try to read while we're moving or if the driver keeps slamming on the brakes over and over in stop-and-go traffic (especially if I'm in the back seat), and I almost invariably get sick on a boat. I haven't ever ridden on a private airplane so I don't know if that would make me sick.

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[Arcan57]

Scopalamine patches can help. Staying hydrated also seems to help, although that's more difficult to do if you fly out of the ED (like at Cinci). Some of the residents (and flight nurses) did take meclizine and didn't seem to have any significant level of drowsiness. If you are seriously considering a place with required flying high on your match list, it may be worthwhile to arrange a flight (either at the program or locally) to see how you tolerate it.

 

[docB]

People frequently just desensitize to it. I took my college roomate up in a Cessna 172 and he got sick. He now flys Cobras for the Marines.

 

[Angulimala]

I've gotten motion sick in cars before...usually while in the back seat, but never had problems on planes.

Out of the handful of times I've been on medic helicopters, I've never had a problem. It was more, "holy crap, I'm in a helicopter!" than "Ugh, I'm gonna puke."

 

[Pure Anergy]

Thanks, everyone. Arcan57, I like the idea of trying to do a trial ride to see what it's like, but would a program really allow an applicant to do something like that? I know a lot of programs offer to let you hang out in the ED, but I can't imagine they get a lot of requests for shadowing on a helicopter! docB, I wonder if it matters if you're riding in the back versus piloting the plane, because I never get sick in a car when I'm the one driving. Anyway, your friend getting desensitized to it is good news to hear. Angulimala, I'm sure the adrenaline rush doesn't hurt. It sounds pretty amazing to be able to see everything from a helicopter. 🙂

 

[Greenbbs]

it's really not that bad. I flew for 2 years when I was still in training for moonlighting experience (and never got sick, but I also don't get motion sick). Most EMS helicopters have rear facing crew seats, so that's the hardest thing to get used to. If your shop flys in a BK, or a EC135/145, don't look out the rear window. That invariably will make you sick because all you see is shifting horizon and the tail everywhere. If you look out the sides, you won't get sick as easily.

 

[Pure Anergy]

it's really not that bad. I flew for 2 years when I was still in training for moonlighting experience (and never got sick, but I also don't get motion sick). Most EMS helicopters have rear facing crew seats, so that's the hardest thing to get used to. If your shop flys in a BK, or a EC135/145, don't look out the rear window. That invariably will make you sick because all you see is shifting horizon and the tail everywhere. If you look out the sides, you won't get sick as easily.

Good to know. Thanks.