ON AVERAGE, LIGHTNING CAUSES MORE CASUALTIES ANNUALLY IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ANY OTHER WEATHER PHENOMENA, EXCEPT FLASH FLOODS. MANY PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO MISINFORMATION AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR DURING THUNDERSTORMS. BEING AWARE OF AND FOLLOWING PROVEN LIGHTNING SAFETY GUIDELINES CAN GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF INJURY.

LARGE ENCLOSED STRUCTURES, SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS, TEND TO BE MUCH SAFER THAN SMALLER OR OPEN STRUCTURES.THE RISK FOR LIGHTNING INJURY DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE STRUCTURE INCORPORATES LIGHTNING PROTECTION, THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS USED, AND THE SIZE OF THE STRUCTURE.

IN GENERAL, FULLY ENCLOSED METAL VEHICLES SUCH AS CARS, TRUCKS, BUSES, VANS, AND FULLY ENCLOSED FARM VEHICLES WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP PROVIDE GOOD SHELTER FROM THE LIGHTNING. BUT YOU MUST AVOID CONTACT WITH METAL OR CONDUCTING SURFACES OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

YOU SHOULD AVOID BEING IN OR NEAR HIGH PLACES, OPEN FIELDS, ISOLATED TREES, GAZEBOS, RAIN OR PICNIC SHELTERS, BASEBALL DUGOUTS, COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS, FLAGPOLES, LIGHT POLES, METAL OR WOOD BLEACHERS, METAL FENCES, CONVERTIBLES, GOLF CARTS, AND ANY WATER SUCH AS THE OCEAN, SWIMMING POOLS, RIVERS, ETC.

WHEN INSIDE A BUILDING, AVOID USING THE TELEPHONE, TAKING A SHOWER, WASHING YOUR HANDS, AND DOING DISHES. . AVOID ANY CONTACT WITH CONDUCTIVE SURFACES WITH EXPOSURE TO THE OUTSIDE SUCH AS METAL DOOR OR WINDOW FRAMES, ELECTRICAL WIRING, TELEPHONE WIRING, CABLE TV WIRING, PLUMBING, ETC.

IF YOU CAN SEE LIGHTNING AND/OR HEAR THUNDER YOU ARE ALREADY AT RISK. LOUDER OR MORE FREQUENT THUNDER INDICATES THAT LIGHTNING ACTIVITY IS APPROACHING, INCREASING YOUR RISK OF INJURY. BECAUSE THE SPEED OF SOUND TRAVELS AT 1100 FEET PER SECOND, A TIME DELAY OF 5 SECONDS FROM THE TIME OF THE FLASH TO THE TIME OF THE THUNDER, MEANS THAT THE STORM IS ABOUT A MILE AWAY. GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHENEVER THERE IS LESS THAN A 30 SECOND DELAY, MEANING THE STORM IS 6 MILES AWAY, YOU SHOULD BE IN A SAFE LOCATION. BE AWARE THAT THIS METHOD OF DETERMINING THE DISTANCE HAS LIMITATIONS IN PART DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY OF ASSOCIATING THE PROPER THUNDER TO THE CORRESPONDING FLASH.

MANY INJURIES OCCUR IN THE BEGINNING OF THE STORM AS IT IS APPROACHING BECAUSE THEY IGNORE THE CLOUD COVER, GUSTY WINDS, AND RAINFALL THAT OFTEN ARE PRECURSORS TO THE ACTUAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. ALSO, MANY INJURIES OCCUR AFTER THE PERCEIVED THREAT HAS DIMINISHED. WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE IN THE AREA BUT NOT OVERHEAD, THE LIGHTNING THREAT CAN EXIST EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING OR EVEN WHEN THERE IS PARTIAL SUNSHINE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LIGHTNING SAFETY ACTION PLAN. MANAGEMENT, EVENT COORDINATORS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND GROUPS SHOULD DESIGNATE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON(S) TO MONITOR THE WEATHER TO INITIATE THE EVACUATION PROCESS WHEN APPROPRIATE. MONITORING SHOULD BEGIN HOURS OR EVEN DAY BEFORE THE EVENT.

A PROTOCOL NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE TO NOTIFY ALL PERSONS AT RISK FROM THE LIGHTNING THREAT. DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED. A TEAM OF PEOPLE MAY BE NEEDED TO COORDINATE THE EVACUATION PLAN. ADULTS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE.

SAFER SITES MUST BE DETERMINED BEFOREHAND. ALONG WITH A MEANS TO ROUTE THE PEOPLE TO THOSE LOCATIONS. SCHOOL BUSES ARE AN EXCELLENT LIGHTNING SHELTER THAT CAN BE STRATEGICALLY PLACED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS BY ORGANIZERS OF OUTDOOR EVENTS THAT HAVE LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE. SUCH AS GOLF TOURNAMENTS, SUMMER DAY CAMPS, SWIM MEETS, MILITARY TRAINING, SCOUT GROUPS, ETC.

MOST LIGHTNING VICTIMS CAN ACTUALLY SURVIVE A DIRECT HIT. ESPECIALLY WITH TIMELY MEDICAL TREATMENT. INDIVIDUALS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING DO NOT CARRY AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE AND IT IS SAFE TO TOUCH THEM. FIRST. YOU SHOULD CALL 911 TO PROVIDE DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIKELY NUMBER OF VICTIMS. IF THE VICTIM IS STILL IN A HIGH RISK AREA WITH A THUNDERSTORM CONTINUING, RESCUERS MAY BE PLACING THEMSELVES IN SIGNIFICANT DANGER. LIGHTNING DOES STRIKE TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE. IF DEEMED SAFE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT IS RELATIVELY UNUSUAL FOR A VICTIM TO HAVE MAJOR FRACTURES THAT WOULD CAUSE PARALYSIS OR BLEEDING COMPLICATIONS UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN THROWN A DISTANCE. THUS THE RESCUER SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO MOVE THE VICTIM IF NECESSARY.

IF THE VICTIM IS NOT BREATHING, START MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSCITATION. IF IT IS DECIDED TO MOVE THE VICTIM, GIVE A FEW QUICK BREATHS PRIOR TO MOVING THEM. DETERMINE IF THERE IS A PULSE BY CHECKING THE CAROTID ARTERY (SIDE OF THE NECK) OR FEMORAL ARTERY (GROIN) FOR AT LEAST 20-30 SECONDS. IF NO PULSE, START CARDIAC COMPRESSIONS AS WELL. IF IT IS WET AND COLD OUTDOORS, PUT A PROTECTIVE LAYER BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND THE GROUND TO MINIMIZE THE THREAT OF HYPOTHERMIA. IN WILDERNESS AREAS OR IF FAR FROM MEDICAL CARE, PROLONGED BASIC CPR IS OF LITTLE USE. THE VICTIM IS UNLIKELY TO RECOVER IF THEY DO NOT RESPOND IN A FEW MINUTES. IF THE PULSE DOES RETURN, CONTINUE VENTILATION WITH RESCUE BREATHING UNTIL MEDICAL HELP ARRIVES.

THIS INFORMATION WAS EXCERPTED FROM A PAPER BY RON HOLLE OF THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA.