Lightning  Safety

 

  Use back to return.

 Thunderstorms

Lightning.

    Lightning can move in any direction and behave in very unusual ways. From its source, bolts can travel horizontally near the ground for up to four miles, seeming as though to strike from clear blue sky. Secondary strikes, may strike downwards from mountain tops. Returns, may strike from the ground to the sky. Lightning can occur without rain, but it is always accompanied by thunder, which is produced by the strike. It can never precede it.

 

    Thunder can be heard up to ten miles away. The distance can be estimated by counting the number of seconds between   the flash and the thunder. When you see the flash of lightning, count how many seconds to the sound of thunder. Then divide the number of seconds by five, (sound travels one mile in five seconds). For example: you hear the thunder 10 seconds after you see the lightning, divide 10 by 5 to determine the distance from you to the strike; which was 2 miles.

 

    Lightning is the most frequent weather related threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season. If people understood more about the dangers, and practiced safety & used common sense before, during and after thunderstorms, injuries and fatalities could be reduced.

 

    As an Team Leader or a Scout it is expected of you to learn about “Weather Related Dangers”; the “Prevention”, & “Treatment” of Injuries. You are not expected to know everything. But, when you are on an Over Night Trip, Backpacking, Cycling or any Outdoor Activity, you will be the first person to administer “First Aid” until trained medic’s arrive. The more you learn, the greater the help you can give to an injured person.

 

 

Precautions:

     Most of the advice you will come across about lightning safety, states “it’s a bad idea to be under trees during a Thunderstorm”.  Instead, it is “advised” that you should squat on the balls of you feet, if possible on a pad, with your head down. Your aim is to create as little surface area as possible. Also, don’t huddle together, spread out. If one person gets struck by lightning, the others will be able to assist him/her. Talk to each other from time to time, make sure everyone is OK. If you need to take shelter, stay close to the trail. If in woods, wait out the storm in a low area, where there is thick uniformed undergrowth with no prominent trees or water. Never stand under a large single tree. Also, don’t lie flat on the ground, even inside a tent. You may be in danger of ground currents; which may prefer to run from head to foot, (or visa versa). Such a current could possibly stop your heart.

 

    Whenever lightning is near, take off backpacks with either internal or external metal frame, or that contains any metallic objects. If you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be immanent. So, be wary. The most dangerous time for lightning is just before the storm.

 

    Lightning more often occurs over mountains, marshes, lakes and rivers. Most of all; Always CHECK the weather reports before you leave the camp. 

 

 

First Aid:

    Injuries producing exit & entrance wounds are rare in lightning victims. The injuries more often resemble explosion injuries. Clothing and shoes are usually blasted from the victim’s body. Most victims suffer from ruptured eardrums, skull fractures or other broken bones. Fingers or toes may be blown off and tissues split open. More than half of the victims of lightning suffer from eye injuries of various kinds. Severe secondary Burns are caused by metal objects on the body that have been heated by the lightning. Belt buckles, rings or other items may be fused or bent. It is a myth that lightning victims hold a charge, and should not be touched.

• Do not hesitate, Call for medical help immediately.
• Check for possible cervical spinal injury.
• Open airway.
• Check vital signs, a weak, rapid pulse suggests there is internal bleeding from injury to an organ.
• The victims may have eye injuries that dilate the pupils, making them appear dead when they are not.
• If the strike caused the victims heart and breathing to stop. Give “CPR” immediately.
• Watch for signs of Hypothermia.
• In a lightning strike with multiple victims, priority goes to the victims who are not breathing.
• Look after any burns that the victim will be suffering from. Look for areas where the lightning entered & exited
• Victim will be confused, or suffering from amnesia.
• Put patient into the recovery position if required.
 
 
  If you have any concerns about health of any member of your team, Don’t hesitate.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
 
If Not Sure, Ask. 
 
Be Smart,  Be Cool,  Be Prepared.

IN ALL CASES INVOLVING A LIGHTNING STRIKE, YOU MUST SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.