How do you save yourself from lightnings in an open field?
By tomitomi
@tomitomi (5429)
Singapore
May 4, 2010 2:03pm CST
I was on a field this morning. What I thought was beautiful, warm and sunny, the weather suddenly took a dip. There was a strong sudden gust of wind before it grew dark. And the rain fell instantly after. It really took me by surprise. I was totally drenched in just a few minutes. I love the rain and I had nothing to complain though. But this incident was a bit scary. There were fierce lightnings and thunders. And as I raced towards shelter my mind became clouded with stories of people being struck by lightning. I felt very ill-equipped, very ill-prepared. I have no knowledge whatsoever. I could easily be the next target. My only thought was to live, as I dash to safety...
Have you had such a frightening experience before? What are the chances of being struck by a lightning in an open field? What should one do to save oneself in such a life-threatening situation?
4 responses
@robindeen (13)
• Austria
4 May 10
Simple it is.
You are said to keep your feet as close to each other as possible, and only touch the ground with them. That way the lightning won't travel through your whole body, but gets to the ground faster. Also, stay as small as possible, so the lightning won't strike in the highest point your head. Don't stand under a tree either, if the lightning strikes in it it'll most likely set the tree on fire with you included, or the lighting will go from the leaves to your hair. Shocking, eh? Still, the safest is to go into a car, as the rubber tires won't allow and thunder in. But once the car is stroken by lightning, don't exit it anymore and call help. The car is most likely filled with the electric energy of the lightning.
The problem is, you can't stand quiet and do nothing until theby lightning is over. It could take hours, and you'll get wet. Your best chance is to run as fast as you can to a house or car that is open, since there is most likely more chance in getting struck by sitting 2 hours in the open field then having two minutes of running.
The chances are minimal by the way. Although it strongly depends on the circumstaces (Air pressure, amount of rain, how much water is in the air, what color your skin is) .
1 person likes this
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
6 May 10
Hi robindeen!
I thank you so much for your wonderful response. I love the knowledge it brings as well as the wonderful share it has provided others and me with. I'm impressed!
Allow me to summarize what you said:
1. keep both feet close and on the ground,
2. stay small as possible,
3. the best chance for safety is to leave the open field and run for safety as
fast as possible,
4. don't take shelter under a tree,
5. safer to be in a car for shelter,
6. do not leave the car immediately if the car is struck by lightning,
Q: How long do one have to wait in the car if it is struck by lightning?
7. environmental conditions: air pressure, amount of rain, how much water is in
the air.
8. biological condition: the color of one's skin.
Great! It's something new to me.
Q: What's the impact on each of these skin types: dark skin, medium-toned skin
type, very fair skin?
Thank you so much for sharing. It has been a wonderful learning experience. Have a nice day ahead!
@Saranggola (956)
• Philippines
5 May 10
I experienced that too. I got really scared but I avoided the trees too because that's what my friends say. There will be a higher chance that you'll get hit by a lightning if you stay under the trees.
@Saranggola (956)
• Philippines
7 May 10
Thank you also. You could also go near a rubber. They say it's a good insulator.
@MrDollars (454)
• Australia
10 Aug 10
wow that is so scary. I have never been in this situation before but I don't think there is anything that you can do. Besides, don't go in water, stand under tree or be near metal but other than that....lightning will strike wherever and whenever and there is nothing a human can do about this,
$-MrDollars-$
