Lightning

While taking an afternoon hike, kayaking or playing a round of golf, weather can change rapidly. On hot summer afternoons, monstrous electrical storms can develop rapidly. Lightning strikes can travel from 5 to 8 mi. (8 to 13 km) above the earth and zap to the ground 30,000 amps of electrical energy. Don't assume that any storm is too far away to be dangerous. Lightning strikes have been documented 10 mi. (16 km) in front of an approaching storm. If you are in the open, or on a high land, you are especially vulnerable to lightning.

In order to avoid being struck by lightning. it is best to seek shelter in a substantial building or inside a metal topped vehicle. One cannot always find such protection quickly enough. In such a high-risk situation you have to adopt the correct strategy quickly.

Never seek shelter under a solitary tree or other tall structure, or stay in any exposed, high place or wet marshy soil. Quickly find a sheltered position in the stand of trees or shrubs of similar height or under an out cropping of rock. Put yourself in the lightning safe position. Crouch down with your backside on your heels, your head between your knees and your arms wrapped around your knees. Stay in that position until the danger passes.

Quite often persons that have been electrocuted by lightning do survive. If someone near you is hit, they will quite likely have trouble breathing like having received a severe blow to the chest. In more severe cases CPR may need to be applied. In all cases keep the person calm and warm. Attend to any wounds such are burns. Victims should get prompt medical attention and will likely be kept under observation for a few days to assure that their nervous system had suffered no long term effects.

Be wise and compromise getting soaked with rain in order to find shelter from lightning. When the sun breaks, dry out and be on your way!