Is lightning dangerous? I’m planning a camping trip this summer to a fairly remote area, and I’m trying to assess the risks involved. Specifically, how dangerous is lightning, really? I know we’re taught to avoid it, but what are the actual chances of being struck? Are there specific environments or times of day when the risk is higher? What are the different levels of severity when it comes to lightning strikes, from minor to fatal? And beyond being struck directly, are there other ways lightning can indirectly cause harm, like through ground currents or nearby objects? What practical steps can I take to minimize my risk of lightning strikes while camping?

Answer

Yes, lightning is dangerous.

Lightning carries an enormous amount of electrical energy, and its effects can be devastating. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the dangers:

Direct Strike:

• Cardiac Arrest: The electrical current can disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm, leading to cardiac arrest.
• Respiratory Arrest: Lightning can paralyze the respiratory muscles, causing breathing to stop.
• Burns: The intense heat of a lightning strike can cause severe burns, both internal and external. These burns can range from superficial skin damage to deep tissue destruction.
• Neurological Damage: The electrical discharge can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to seizures, paralysis, memory loss, personality changes, and chronic pain.
• Muscle Damage: Muscle tissue can be damaged by the electrical current, leading to pain, weakness, and potential kidney damage (rhabdomyolysis).
• Fractures: The force of the strike can cause muscle contractions strong enough to break bones.
• Death: A direct lightning strike is often fatal.

Indirect Effects:

• Ground Current: Electricity can spread through the ground from a nearby strike. This ground current can be deadly, especially if someone is standing or lying down, providing a path for the current to flow through their body. A large potential difference can exist even over short distances on the ground.
• Side Flash: Lightning can "jump" from a taller object (like a tree) to a nearby person. This is less powerful than a direct strike but can still be dangerous or fatal.
• Conduction: Lightning can travel through metal objects like fences, pipes, and electrical wires. Touching these objects during a thunderstorm can lead to electrocution. Similarly, being in contact with water connected to plumbing is also risky.
• Step Voltage: This occurs when lightning strikes the ground and the electrical potential decreases as you move away from the point of contact. If a person has their feet apart, the difference in potential between their feet can cause a current to flow through their lower body, leading to injury or death.
• Blunt Force Trauma: Even without a direct electrical strike, the force of a lightning strike nearby can cause injuries from flying debris, being thrown by the concussive force, or being knocked down.
• Fires: Lightning strikes can ignite trees, buildings, and other flammable materials, leading to fires that can cause widespread damage and injury.
• Power Surges: Lightning strikes can cause power surges in electrical systems, damaging electronic devices and potentially causing fires.

Risk Factors:

• Outdoor Activities: People engaged in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and sports are at higher risk.
• Working Outdoors: Construction workers, farmers, and other people who work outdoors are also at increased risk.
• Proximity to Tall Objects: Being near tall trees, poles, or other objects that are likely to be struck by lightning increases the risk.
• Open Areas: Open fields and bodies of water offer little protection from lightning.
• Time of Day: Lightning strikes are more common in the afternoon and early evening, when thunderstorms are most frequent.
• Location: Some geographic areas have a higher frequency of thunderstorms and lightning strikes.

Prevention:

• Seek Shelter: During a thunderstorm, the best way to protect yourself is to go indoors to a substantial building or get inside a hard-topped vehicle.
• Stay Indoors: Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard.
• Avoid Water: Stay away from bodies of water during a thunderstorm.
• Avoid Metal Objects: Stay away from metal objects, including fences, pipes, and electrical wires.
• Unplug Electronics: Unplug electronic devices and appliances during a thunderstorm to protect them from power surges.
• Lightning Safety Position: If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm and cannot find shelter, crouch down low to the ground, put your hands on your knees, and keep your head tucked in. This reduces your surface area and minimizes the risk of a direct strike.
• Monitor Weather: Pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings, and take precautions when thunderstorms are predicted.

Lightning is a significant weather hazard that can cause serious injury or death. Taking appropriate precautions can significantly reduce your risk.