Avoiding Lightning Danger
An average of 67 people are killed by lightning each year in the United States, more than the number killed by tornadoes or hurricanes. Those deaths are just a part of the story. Eighty to 90 percent of lightning victims survive, but a quarter of them suffer major physiological and neurological after-effects and up to 70 percent of survivors have at least some residual effects.
According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, most incidents occur between 2 and 6 p.m. during the summer months, with 30 percent of all deaths and injuries occurring during July. More incidents are caused by indirect strikes, where lightning strikes a nearby tree, other object, or the ground, than by direct strikes.
The safest place to be is in a large, enclosed building (stay away from windows and plumbing, do not use telephones or electrical appliances) or in a parked vehicle (avoid touching doors, windows, steering wheel, or any parts of the car).
| If you are outdoors and unable to reach shelter: |
| Take defensive action whenever there are fewer than 30 to 40 seconds between a lightning flash and the resulting thunder (meaning the lightning is within six to eight miles). It is advisable to remain out of exposed areas for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard. |
| Avoid water, metallic objects, high ground, solitary tall trees, and simultaneous contact with dissimilar objects (water/land, rock/ground, or tree/ground). |
| Seek clumps of trees or shrubs of uniform height, away from high ground, but avoid ditches, or trenches, due to the possibility of flash flooding. Shed metal hiking poles, metal-framed packs, and tools. |
| To minimize the possibility of multiple victims in a group of people, spread out to at least 15 to 20 feet apart. |
| If your hair stands on end or your skin tingles, if you are aware of objects vibrating, or hear a crackling or humming sound, lightning is imminent—immediately crouch with feet together, to minimize contact with the ground, and place hands over ears to lessen acoustic shock. |
| A person struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge and should be given any necessary first-aid treatment: |
| If a victim is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately. |
| If no pulse is found within 30 seconds, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continue for 20 to 30 minutes or until the victim is breathing on his own. |
| Protect the victim against hypothermia. |
| There may be electrical burns where the current entered and exited the body. Cover any burns with a dry, sterile dressing. Do not attempt to cool the burns. |
A lightning victim's clothing may increase the severity of burns. In July 2000, a Colorado hiker wearing synthetic fleece and a Gore-Tex jacket was struck by lightning while above timberline. He recovered but suffered steam burns where the lightning vaporized moisture in his jacket. He also suffered extensive second-degree burns where the synthetic clothing melted and fused to his skin.
Death from lightning strikes is typically caused by cardiopulmonary arrest. Only immediate and effective CPR followed by emergency medical treatment as soon as possible can save victims in cardiopulmonary arrest. If there is no response after 20 to 30 minutes of effort, it is unlikely the victim can be saved.
This information is adapted from "Avoiding Lightning Danger," The Register, Summer 2002. For more information, see the National Weather Service's Lightning Safety Web site.
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