Caught Outdoors In A Lightning Storm?
"When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors". That's the safety tag line from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) for what to do if you are outdoors and a Thunderstorm approaches. Great advice and that is certainly the best choice if you have that option. I know what you are thinking. What if I'm in a situation where I can not get indoors out of the weather? What should I do if I'm hiking and I'm miles away from shelter? Or I'm Backpacking and a few days from shelter? There is no completely safe place outdoors when lightning is in play but some precautions can be taken. With summer upon us and the regularity of pop-up Thunderstorms, knowing what to do could be a life saver. I was recently in a Thunderstorm while camping and realized I needed a refresher. These tips can help 'lessen' your chances of being struck by lightning and reinforce a healthy respect for natures power. Be sure to Subscribe for future tips, product reviews, etc...
Respect Nature; A Few Facts to Consider:
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from any rainfall. More than 50% of lightning deaths occur AFTER the storm has passed.
The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of the sun.
Only about 10% of people that are struck are actually killed. 90% survive, but nearly 25% of these survivors suffer long term psychological or physiological trauma.
92% of lightning injuries and deaths occur between May and September.
45% of the deaths and 80% of injuries occurred in these months between 10am and 7pm.
Credit: NOAA
If You Can't Get to Shelter:
Avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top. Lightning is likely to strike the tallest objects in a given area - you should not be the tallest objects.
Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees that are surrounded by larger trees.
If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members.
Never lie flat on the ground. Stand in a crouched position with both feet on the ground.
If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine or other low area. Remember, a tent offers NO protection from lighting.
Stay away from water, wet items, such as ropes, and metal objects, such as fences and poles. Water and metal do not attract lightning but they are excellent conductors of electricity. The current from a lightning flash will easily travel for long distances
More Information
These are just a few quick tips taken from literature published by NOAA and Weather.gov. Please go to Weather.gov and follow the links below for more detailed information on the science of lightning and measures you can take to decrease your odds of a lightning strike.
https://www.weather.gov/media/safety/Lightning-Brochure18.pdf
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/pah/pdf/lightningsafety.pdf
Be Safe...Respect Nature
"Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off." - Exodus 20:18
