Are you driving and feeling nauseous? Do you have a feeling that you are going to throw up? Many motorists have never considered what they should do in case they need to throw up while driving. This feeling when you are behind the wheel is not only unpleasant, but could prove to be potentially deadly if handled incorrectly. If you are at risk, suffer from chronic motion sickness, or feel nauseous from undergoing chemotherapy or have other medical conditions, then knowing how to vomit safely could save your life.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prevent the Problem
Step 1. Avoid driving
Motion sickness is most likely caused by an involuntary movement (such as when in a car or boat) that confuses the brain. This organ normally perceives movement through signals transmitted by the inner ear, eyes and surface receptors. This is a very common ailment. If you are susceptible to motion sickness and vomiting, one way to avoid dangerous situations is to not get behind the wheel.
According to some US research, nausea and vomiting are more common among chemotherapy patients with previous episodes of motion sickness. You shouldn't drive the entire time of treatment if you are concerned that this problem may occur
Step 2. Just before driving, take a motion sickness medication that does not cause drowsiness
If you suffer from severe nausea caused by movement, then you should try an over-the-counter medication, such as dramamine or meclizine. These typically work within 30-60 minutes. For example, regular dramamine has a sedative effect, so it is very dangerous to drive after taking it!
- An alternative is anti-emetic or anti-nausea drugs. You can try Imodium or Pepto-Bismol.
- Always ask your doctor for advice on the medicine that best suits your needs. Knows the possible side effects and drug interactions.
Step 3. Keep chewing gum and bags in your car to throw up
You must be prepared if you are prone to this ailment. Place bags near the driver's seat, whether they are plastic or paper, and consider lining the passenger seat and floor with plastic.
- For example, chewing gum can reduce nausea, so always keep a packet handy and choose those with mild flavors, such as fruit. However, you will find that chewing usually reduces symptoms. Eating a sweet snack should help you find relief from the conflict between the signals sent by the visual system and those of the balance system.
- Fresh air appears to be slightly helpful against motion sickness. Open the driver's window a little and point the vents towards your face.
Step 4. Eat some ginger before driving
It is an old herbal remedy for nausea and some studies seem to show that it is also effective against motion sickness. Try taking 250mg of ginger supplement three times a day when you have to drive a lot. Alternatively, buy ginger chewing gum that has the same beneficial effects.
Remember that ginger supplements can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are on blood thinning or take aspirin. Talk to your doctor to make sure this is a good solution for you
Step 5. Drive carefully and learn to recognize the warning signs
If you have to drive, make sure you can pull over quickly in case of a bout of vomiting. Always stay in the right lane, for example, and do not take freeways or ring roads where it is difficult to pull over safely and quickly.
Learn to recognize the body's reactions. If motion sickness typically starts with a mild headache, gets worse, and eventually turns into nausea and vomiting, then pay attention to the headache as soon as it occurs. Think of it as a sign that you need to pull over
Method 2 of 2: Reacting to Sudden Nausea
Step 1. Notify other passengers
Tell them that you are about to have a sudden bout of nausea. they could help you by giving you something to throw up or, in cases of extreme urgency, take control of the vehicle. Someone might even open their cupped hands and improvise a kind of "bag" in which to throw up. It's definitely disgusting, but it's still better than having a lingering smell in your car from vomiting on your clothes. The important thing is that they know what's going on and don't panic.
Step 2. Try to pull over carefully
The key is to maintain control of the vehicle and ensure your safety and that of passengers, as well as that of other motorists and pedestrians. Clothes must be the least of your worries. If you are driving at a slow speed, between 20 and 50 km / h, try to pull over. If you can't do it and if there are no cars or just a few vehicles behind you, turn on the hazard lights and free your stomach.
- Don't worry about the reaction of other drivers in this situation. If you go slowly, you take little risk by stopping on the road. Open the door and throw up outside if you can.
- If possible, try to empty your stomach by the side of the road. At the first sign of nausea, hold on for a few more seconds and try a safe and slow roadside maneuver.
Step 3. If you are going at great speed, be extremely cautious
Don't stop in the middle of the road, drive safely, use the turn signals, and don't assume that other vehicles slow down for you.
Do not throw up in the guardrail or median that divides the carriageways of freeways or highways. These dividers are closer to fast-moving vehicles and offer less space than the outer edges of the road
Step 4. Vomits out of the cockpit only in safe conditions
As mentioned, if you are traveling slowly you should be able to stop easily, open the door and throw up on the asphalt. However, this maneuver can be very dangerous on freeways or highways where you travel at high speed. Even if you can throw up on the side of the road, you should avoid getting out of the car. Be very careful - it is always better to get your car mats dirty than to cause an accident and seriously injure yourself.
If you're traveling at great speed and can't stop, take your foot off the accelerator as you prepare to puke and place it in front of the brake to prepare for the eventuality of slowing down quickly
Step 5. Throw up straight in front of you
If you are unable to pull over, your main objective must be to maintain control of the vehicle. Don't turn to the side and don't take your eyes off the road; in this case you would steer spontaneously. Instead, you have to look straight ahead and try to puke into a bag or, if you don't have one, directly onto the steering wheel or windshield. You can clean it later with your hand.
- If you don't have a bag or container available, you can open your shirt collar and throw up on your chest. While it is quite revolting, this reduces head movement and ensures your safety.
- Alternatively, choose the car floor. It is always better to throw up on the seat or floor rather than on the dashboard, where the audio system and the air conditioning and heating system of the vehicle are connected.
Advice
- Clean up the vomit in the car as soon as possible and avoid it being exposed to the sun without getting rid of it. There is nothing worse than cleaning dry, caked vomit from the upholstery.
- Generally speaking, it is better to throw up on a leather surface than on a fabric seat or carpet.
- Remember to always stay calm and focused, no matter how challenging the task may seem.
- Vomiting on the mat isn't that terrible, as it's pretty easy to clean or replace.
- If no other method works, open the window and vomit outside the cabin.
Warnings
- Driving with a severe flu can be considered irresponsible behavior, as it would endanger your life and that of other drivers if you lose control of the vehicle.
- If you continue to vomit or suffer from a severe illness or fever, go to the hospital immediately to take care of you.
- The most important thing to do when driving feels bad is to stay in control.
