Looking back at the whole day, what is the most useful thing the skipper learned about taking first-time crew sailing?

A. Seasickness is a sign of weakness that crew should be expected to hide and push through silently

B. Always plan for the possibility of seasickness with new or first-time crew — talk about it before setting off, keep an eye on anyone showing early signs, and be ready and willing to change plans for their wellbeing rather than treating it as an inconvenience

C. There is no need to plan for seasickness in advance since it either happens or it does not

D. First-time crew should simply not be taken sailing at all, in case they get sick

A. Tell them to read a book to distract themselves from the feeling

B. Send them below decks immediately to lie down out of the wind

C. Ignore it completely since seasickness is not a real problem worth addressing

D. This is likely the early stage of seasickness. Get them into fresh air on deck (not down below where it is worse), looking at the horizon rather than close-up objects like a phone or book, and reassure them calmly that it is common and manageable

A. Tell them to sit completely still and do nothing at all, with no distractions

B. Ask them to go and check something below decks to take their mind off it

C. Giving them a simple task at the helm or holding a line can genuinely help — actively steering or focusing on a task, while looking outward, distracts the mind and can reduce the feeling of sickness for some people

D. Give them strong-smelling food to eat immediately