Lightning is a phenomenon that arouses admiration and inspiration but can be deadly. Over the past three decades, lightning has killed an average of 67 people a year in the United States alone. Fortunately, most cases of lightning death are preventable. Follow these instructions and apply them the next time the sky lights up.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Stay Safe
Step 1. Find shelter now
If you find yourself trapped in a lightning storm, the key to minimizing the dangers is to stay inside a structure that protects you. While most people seek refuge when lightning is approaching, people usually wait too long. If you can see it, the lightning may be close enough to hit you. Don't wait for it to drain near you (if not on you) and run for cover.
- Solid, inhabited buildings (those that have pipes, electrical systems, and if possible lightning rods) are best.
- If you do not find a suitable structure, stay in the car but only if it has a sheet metal roof and sides. If the car is hit, the electricity will drain around you and not on you. Make sure the windows are up and the doors closed tightly. Be careful not to lean on the metal or the lightning could spread through your body. Do not use the radio.
- Avoid small facilities like public restrooms. Not even hut-like or open ones are ideal. They attract lightning instead of protecting and are dangerous.
- Staying under a tree is also a bad choice. Lightning strikes tall objects and if the tree receives a shock, you could be injured.
- Bring the animals inside. Kennels for dogs and other animals are not suitable for protecting them. An animal tied to a fence is more likely to be struck by lightning.
Step 2. Stay away from windows
Keep them closed and try to stay in the center of the room. The windows carry lightning.
Step 3. Do not touch anything metallic or electrical
Using landline phones in the United States is a major cause of lightning burns. Lightning travels through any conductive material that carries electricity. So electric cables, telephone cables and even water pipes.
- Do not touch anything that is attached to the light. Do not remove the plugs from the sockets.
- Don't lie on the floor or lean against concrete walls. In fact, most have wires inside that can conduct electricity.
- No bathroom or shower and not even a dip in the pool even if it is inside the house.
- If you are in a car, try not to touch the metal parts or the windows.
Step 4. Stay indoors
Stay inside at least half an hour after the storm is over. Do not go out if it starts to rain. There is always the risk that some lightning will still be unleashed.
Method 2 of 4: Survive Outside
Step 1. Limit the risks
If you just can't get to cover during a lightning storm, do whatever you can to minimize the risks.
- Stay as low as you can. Lightning strikes what is high or high. So you stay low.
- Avoid large spaces where everything is smaller than you are such as a golf course or soccer field.
- Keep away from isolated objects such as trees and light poles.
- Stay away from unprotected vehicles such as golf carts and picnic areas. Avoid metal structures such as stands.
Step 2. Get out of the water
If you are fishing or swimming, get out of the water immediately and move away from the sea-lake-river. Water is extremely dangerous in these cases.
Step 3. Watch the distance
If you are with other people, keep a distance of 1-2 meters from each. You will reduce the risk of being hit by ricochet.
After each lightning bolt nearby, do a count of the present. This way you will know if someone has been hit and you can assure them a quick rescue
Step 4. Remove the backpack
If you are camping with a backpack that has metal inserts, remove it as soon as you see a lightning bolt. Leave it at least 200 meters away. of distance.
Step 5. Assume the “lightning protection” position
Lie down by tucking your feet together, with your head on your chest and against your knees and your hands covering your ears or flat on your knees. DO NOT lie down on the ground as you will become an easy target for lightning.
- This position is difficult to maintain and is not a guarantee of safety. However, don't let the lightning strike your vital organs. In this case, if you get hit you can handle it.
- Try to stay on your feet to limit contact with the floor. By keeping your feet in contact, if lightning strikes you it could easily move from one side of the body to the other but vital organs would not be touched.
- Cover your ears and close your eyes to protect yourself from the lightning.
Step 6. Stay alert
If the lightning is about to discharge where you are or near you, the hair may electrify, stand up or you may feel goosebumps. Light metal objects can vibrate and you can hear a sound like crackling. If you find any of these signals, the lightning is about to discharge.
Step 7. Put on rubber boots
They are made with a compound that does not conduct electricity.
Method 3 of 4: Precautions
Step 1. Be foresighted
The best way to avoid lightning damage is to obviously avoid it. Plan ahead with storms in mind. Listen to local forecasts and pay attention to specific bulletins.
Research the local climate - in some areas you can be sure there will be a storm on summer afternoons. Plan any activities to avoid risky situations. If the day is hot and humid, the storm is upon us
Step 2. Look at the sky
When you are away from home, look for signs by looking at the sky: rain, clouds or cumulonimbus clouds that build up indicate the approach of the storm. If you can anticipate the lightning, you can protect yourself.
Note, however, that lightning can be unleashed even without the aforementioned signs appearing
Step 3. Calculate the distance
If visibility conditions allow and you can't find shelter quickly, use the 30 second rule: if the time between lightning and lightning is 30 seconds or less (about 9km or less), find a place to hide right away..
Step 4. Get organized
If you are in an area where there is usually lightning and storms, find out where to get shelter. Explain the strategy to whoever is with you so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
Step 5. Prepare an emergency kit. You have to be prepared in case of need. The light may go out so you need torches or candles.
Step 6. Install a lightning rod
If you live in a storm-prone area, install a lightning rod on your property.
Obviously have it fixed by a professional. Improperly installed it could have the opposite effect by attracting lightning
Method 4 of 4: Helping the Affected
Step 1. Call 118
Lightning causes cardiac arrest so vigorous first aid is needed. If you are unable to do the heart massage ask someone to do it for you or call the ambulance.
Step 2. Make sure your help doesn't put you in danger
Don't put yourself at risk trying to help a lightning victim. Wait until the immediate risks have subsided or move the victim to a safer location.
Despite the myth, lightning can strike the same spot twice
Step 3. Do cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Whoever is hit disperses the electricity so they can be touched immediately after the shock. Do not take off his burnt clothes unless absolutely necessary.
- Practice specific cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the victim is a child.
- Do adult CPR otherwise.
Step 4. Treat the victim like a shock
Lay it on your back with your head lower than your body. Raises the legs.
Advice
- Small boats are dangerous. If you can't get to the coast, don't get in the water - staying on the boat even if it's open is better. There is a misconception that being in the water is safer but lightning can easily drain (otherwise the water would not be a conductor), and I don't think you would want to find yourself in it once you are hit and unconscious.
- Lightning can spread several inches down so stay away from isolated objects. For the same reason, remember that people are also affected.
- Wearing electronic devices with headphones during a storm increases the risk of being hit and injured not only in the ears but anywhere in the body that any cables rest.
- Commercial lightning forecasting tools and weather alert services should be considered for locations such as golf courses, parks, etc.
- Rubber soled boots do not protect.
- Lightning is not there only and exclusively during a storm; they can also be unleashed during volcanic eruptions. Therefore, also inquire if you go near a volcano. The more ash there is, the more likely it is that lightning will strike.
- In the United States, for example, lightning is a typical summer phenomenon. Florida is the state in which they dump the most per square mile.
- If a storm approaches, protect everything electrical and electronic by disconnecting the power supply in time. Do not use landline phones. Don't touch the sockets during the storm.
- When you get into ball position, protect your ears. The thunder noise is very loud.
Warnings
- Don't watch the show from an open window or porch. Open areas are not safe even if the shelter itself is.
- When looking for a location, choose an area that is safe from flooding.
- The worst storms can (and sometimes do) result in tornadoes with little or no damage. Be on the lookout if bad weather conditions are alarming in the area you are in. And so you stay until the alarm goes off.
