It is not a question that would immediately spring to mind, but how many of you realize that being injured through lightening strikes or even killed by one, is a reality that many Americans have to face each year?
Each year approximately 65 – 80 people are killed and about 245 are injured in the United States alone by this awesome force of nature.
Fires generated by lightening causes the loss of over 30,000 buildings, costing the country millions of dollars each year.
It is a powerful and violent force that is devastating to the extreme. My own parent’s house has been struck by lightning and until you see the effects of this shocking phenomenon, you can scarcely appreciate the damage that can be caused in just a split second of time.
So how do protect yourself against lightening? My mother had a habit of unplugging all of the appliances during a thunderstorm and telling us to go and put our rubber soled plimsolls on. How we complained! These are those times when you learn the value of board games such as snakes and ladders and a “dog eared” pack of cards. We played quite happily by candlelight and thinking back I suppose it was kind of exciting for us youngsters.
Now I am older and more knowledgeable, I realize now that my mother may been a touch overzealous, but she certainly had the right idea of how to be wary of lightning strikes.
We lived in a block of flats in my younger days, and with no lightening conductor on the side of the building to deflect any random strikes, my mother was understandably worried.
There are ways to ensure your safety during a thunderstorm and it all comes down to common sense and remembering to have a little respect for one of the most powerful forces on earth.
If you find yourself outside in close proximity to a storm the important thing is to get to shelter during the time when the sound of thunder starts to come within 30 seconds after you see lightening and leave it at least half an hour for the storm to pass over. You may experience your hair standing on end or you may hear metalwork humming. These are all signs that you are seriously at risk from being hurt.
Of course you can’t revolve your life around thunderstorms, but taking a storm radio with you when you participate in outside activities will help you keep up to date with the weather during storm conditions.
If you know that storm conditions are predicted, then be sensible and stay at home. As anyone knows, thunderstorms can come over pretty quickly so if you plan large gatherings in your garden for the summer, just be aware that you may need a back up place for indoors and it is better to have your parties earlier in the day rather than later.
Thunderstorms whilst camping are scary. Minimize worry by setting up your camp near a low tree groups but stay away from rock faces. Stay away from large open areas and stay off hilltops. It is common sense really, but it is surprising how people may stand on top of a hill in a thunderstorm for “the hell of it” and live to regret it or not as the case may be. Never stand underneath a lone tree you will be inviting disaster.
Boating and fishing or any other water activity must be discontinued immediately. Being near water during a thunderstorm is a very bad idea. If you find yourself aboard during a storm then get down into the cabin. If it has no cabin the stay away from metal fixtures and pull in any fishing rods. Don’t be tempted to use a radio or any other kind of electronic equipment.
Do not stand next to any high poles such as telegraph poles or flag poles. They are perfect lightening magnets. And keep away from metal structures such as garage doors or metal pylons or fences.
If you are outdoors, the best thing to do is to get into a substantial shelter. A garden shed or tent or dugout is inadequate. You really need to be enclosed in a building that can take “the hit” in case you are struck. Believe it or not, even getting into your car is safe. As long as you don’t touch any metal parts when you are inside and you wait for the storm to move well past before getting out.
The thunderstorm is upon you and you have no time to act. You are in an open and vulnerable position so what do you do?
When lightning hits the ground, the current fans out through the earth in a wide area around the point of impact. So if you are with a group of people it is best to make sure that each person is separated by at least 50 feet (if possible)
Take off any metal objects such as jewelery and belt buckles. If you are struck by lightning you can get severe burns from these items as the bolt will use them as a conductor and will super heat them.
If you have a plastic mat or raincoat or sleep pad then use it to stand on. Better still, have you got rubber soled trainers or footwear on? A combination of all this may prevent the bolt from “earthing” into the ground through your body.
Holding a squatting position and tucking your arms in close to the body and keep your head tucked down and in, will help minimize a direct strike to the brain and a clear path down to the earth through your body.
If you see someone struck by lightning what can you do?
You may fear to touch lightening strike victims, but the danger is past. If the patient is not moving then check their pulse. If you can’t find one, then administer CPR IMMEDIATELY. A stopped heart is a common occurrence during a lightning strike and more often than not, a quick reaction and adequate treatment may help to save that person’s life.
Check for metal objects such as jewelery or buckles that may have caused burns, and administer treatment for burns, broken bones, bleeding and severe shock.
Lightening strike is insidious and dangerous. Always be aware of the possibility of being struck. Sometimes you may be in danger even before the rain starts to fall. (Two children were struck in school playgrounds in my home town of Kent – one of them killed)during stormy weather and it really brought home to me just how much danger you can really be in even before the storm is directly over you.
lighteninghttp://www.sciencemaster.com/jump/earth/lightning.php
http://www.emergencydude.com/storm.shtml
