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Overview
Lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather
hazards, yet ranks as the second-leading weather killer in the United States.
The only storm killer more deadly than lightning is
floods.
Lightning safety is easy but inconvenient. Leaving the work area "for
no apparent reason" is difficult at best, and always frustrating.
However, YOU must recognize when you're in a high-risk situation and move to a
low-risk location until the danger has passed.
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| More than 50 percent of lightning deaths occur after the
storm has passed. This is because most people don't realize the lightning threat may persist for more than 30
minutes after the storm has moved on. |
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Safety Tips
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THIS NOOK IS
GREAT FOR LUNCH ON A NICE DAY, BUT A VERY BAD PLACE
TO BE DURING A THUNDERSTORM |
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© 2002 Reuben Johnson |
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The photo below shows several dead cows killed by
lightning as they stood along a fence in an open field. |
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Courtesy of the US Air Force 45th Weather Squadron. Click to
Enlarge. |
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Sit on your pack, or
squat on the balls of your feet with your arms in your lap or your hands
over your ears. Do not lay flat or sit
flat-footed, and do not touch the ground with your hands.
This will make it harder for any current to pass through your chest cavity
thereby damaging your heart.
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Be aware that lightning strikes may ignite a
fire
in your area, especially if the
weather conditions have been fire-friendly.
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 The Warning Signs
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If a nearby lightning strike is imminent, it
will often give a few seconds of warning manifest as one or more of the following:
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Your hair will stand on end.
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Your skin will tingle.
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Light metal objects will vibrate.
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You'll hear a crackling or "keh-keh" sound. |
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If this happens and you're in a group, spread out so there
are several body lengths between each person. That way, everyone may not be hit and can give first aid. Once you've
spread out, use the lightning crouch: put your feet together, squat down,
tuck your head and cover your ears. |
 Action Plan For Field Work
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Plan you day's field work
around the weather. It's hard to make the decision to leave when
you're already working so
plan ahead of time that you'll leave if lightning
threatens. That way, it's a little more automatic.
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Supervisors of outdoor work
should constantly monitor the weather and evacuate
his or her crew when appropriate.
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Follow the
"30-30" rule:
Count the time between seeing lightning
and hearing its thunder. If it's 30 seconds or less, get off the
outcrop and seek shelter immediately.
Stay sheltered for 30
minutes or more after hearing the last blast of thunder. |
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Lightning casualty stories are
replete with events where people were about to make it to shelter when they
were struck;
if they'd just started
a minute earlier, they'd have been safe. Don't become another such
story. |
 First Aid for Lightning
Victims
Ninety percent of lightning victims survive the strike,
especially with timely medical treatment.
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Individuals struck by lightning
do not carry a charge, and it is safe to touch them and provide medical
treatment!
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Send for emergency services and start CPR if necessary -- it almost
certainly will be.
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If others are around to help, have them tend to any
other wounds.
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In cold, wet situations put a protective layer between the
victim and the ground to lower the risk of hypothermia.
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