LIGHTNING INJURIES - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 447

When Shelter Is Unavailable
Individualswhocannotfleetoasaferlocation mustminimize thethreatofbeingstruck.
They should move from higher to lower elevations, get off ridges, and avoid open areas
such as meadows, sports fields, beaches, and golf courses. They should avoid tall, isol-
ated objects, such as trees, poles, and light posts. They should not remain in open vehicles
such as farm tractors, riding lawnmowers, and golf carts. (Sunroofs offer no protection.)
All water-related activities, such as swimming (including indoor pools), boating, and fish-
ing, should be terminated.
Unprotected open structures such as picnic pavilions, rain shelters, and bus stops must
be avoided. Contact with metal fences, metal bleachers, or other long metal structures also
must be avoided. Sheltering under trees to keep dry during a thunderstorm is an invitation
for disaster.
If lightning is about to strike, it sometimes provides a very few seconds of warning. So-
metimes hair may stand on end, skin tingle, light metal objects vibrate, or a crackling or
“kee-kee” sound can be heard. If this happens and more than one person is present, they
should spread out so several body lengths are between each person to reduce the risk of
having a strike jump from one person to another. Once spread out, they should use the
“lightning crouch” by putting their feet together, squatting down, tucking their heads, and
coveringtheirears.Whentheimmediatethreatoflightninghaspassed,theyshouldcontin-
ue to the safest place possible.
Handheld lightning detectors have become more affordable and more popular in recent
years. Although potentially helpful, their performances may not been have been independ-
ently, rigorously, and objectively verified. Some may fail to detect weak or intermittent,
but still deadly, lightning. Many detectors have been installed and used incorrectly. These
devices should be used only as a back-up to the 30-30 rule.
Commercial servicesthatprovideautomaticnotificationwhenlightninghasbeendetec-
ted by the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) within user-specified distances
to an activity or site are available. The alert can be sent via pager, email, or cell phone.
These services are reasonably priced and can be a useful component of a lightning safety
plan for organized outdoor activities.
Thebestdetection technology,however,cannotprovidelongleadtimesfromathunder-
storm forming rapidly overhead. Individuals who are outdoors must still watch the sky and
be ready to proceed to a safer location, hopefully before the first lightning.
Lightning Safety Levels
Level 1: The weather should be watched. Anyone planning an outdoor activity should get
a weather forecast and know local weather patterns.
Level 2: Individuals should start thinking about shelter and, if a thunderstorm is present,
use the 30-30 rule.