Safety - Outdoor and Recreation: Lightning
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> Outdoor and Recreation: Lightning
High on the list of activities where people are injured
by lightning are mountain hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, boating,
and golfing.
Many vacationers are unaware of the measures they can take to lower
their risk of being struck. They should educate themselves about
lightning strikes. They should be near safe shelter and try to avoid
high terrain, golf courses, and bodies of water during high lightning
activity (late morning to evening).
- If you are caught above the tree line when
a storm approaches, descend quickly. Avoid
isolated trees. It is better to run into a forest.
- Electric storms can also develop in the middle of the night.
To lower your odds, don't pitch your tent near the tallest
trees in the vicinity.
- Hikers, golfers, and others should run into a forest
if a shelter or car is not nearby.
- Drop metal objects like golf clubs, tennis
rackets, umbrellas, and packs with internal or external metal
frames.
- Get off bicycles, motorcycles, horses, and golf carts.
Metal bleachers at sports events, metal fences, and utility poles
are also to be avoided.
- If you are caught in an open field, seek a low spot.
Crouch with your feet together and head low.
- If Someone Is Struck - People who have been
hit by lightning carry no electric charge and can be safely tended
to. Also, victims who appear dead can often be revived. If the
person is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But
if a pulse is absent as well and you know cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR), begin CPR. Stay with the victim until help arrives.
- Don't sit or lie down, because these positions
provide much more contact with the ground, providing a wider path
for lightning to follow. If you are with a group and the threat
of lightning is high, spread out at least 15 feet apart to minimize
the chance of everybody getting hit (see "If Someone Is Struck").
- Don't return to an open area too soon. People
have been struck by lightning near the end of a storm, which is
still a dangerous time.
- Swimmers, anglers, and boaters should get off lakes
or rivers and seek shelter when storms approach. Drop
any fishing rods. Boaters who cannot get off the water before
the storm hits should crouch low. Once on land, get at least 100
yards away from shore.
- Remember: This information is not intended
as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a health-related
concern, consult a physician. Also, the tips discussed here may
lower injury risk, but the unpredictability of lightning affords
no guarantees.
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