© World Meteorological Organization

Summer is here and for many parts of the United States Spring that means the start of the severe weather season. Severe weather creates favorable conditions for a host of environmental emergencies—tornadoes, flash flooding, hypothermia, and lightning. June 22-28 is Lightning Safety Week. Learn more at the Lightning Safety Week website.

 

As a Wilderness Medical Associates® Lead Instructor one of the areas that I find many students have the most misconceptions about is lightning. A few things to keep in mind about lightning:

• Lightning is the number two weather related killer in the US. Second to flash flooding.

• Thousands of people are injured, but not killed by lightning every year. Many of the injuries have disabling long term consequences.

• During a thunderstorm there is NO safe place outside. Safe places include buildings with walls, closed doors and closed windows. Standing in a garage, under an awning, in a picnic shelter, or in a tent is not adequate protection.

• Lighting seeks a path to the ground by connecting to the nearest tallest object (but not always). Your risk of being struck increases with the square of your height.

• Lightning can directly strike a person, splash on to a person off a roof or tree, or travel to a person via direct contact or ground current.

 

If you are caught outdoors during a thunderstorm:

• Evacuate high risk areas—ridges, peaks, open fields, cliffs, and get off the water.

• Seek shelter in a building or vehicle with windows and doors closed.

• If no shelter is available insulate yourself from the ground with a pack, foam pad, or life jacket.

• Crouch or sit in a small compact position and stay as low as possible.

 

Finally there are many myths perpetuated about lightning. A few of them include:

Myth: Lightning is attracted to metal.

Truth: Lightning is attracted to the nearest, tallest object, which is often metal.

 

Myth: Lightning strike victims are electrified and cannot be touched.

Truth: Victims do not retain any charge. Assess and treat the patient immediately.

 

Myth: Lightning strike victims have internal burns.

Truth: Internal burns are highly unlikely. Burns are usually superficial or partial thickness skin burns.

 

Myth: Lightning strike survivors do not need hospital treatment.

Truth: Many injuries are delayed and any patient struck by lightning should receive hospital evaluation after field care.

 

Read more about the medical aspects of lightning. Fortunately in most areas severe weather is often short duration and predictable. Protect yourselves and your friends and family by minimizing risk of a lightning strike.

 

Earn one hour of CECBEMS Advanced or Basic CE credit on the topic of Lightning at RapidCE.com