Guide to Proper Conduct During Thunderstorms
In the upcoming days, we can expect some serious thunderstorms with potential deadly consequences due to the lightning strikes. Learn how to stay safe during these storms and what measures to take to protect yourself.
Thunderstorms can be both fascinating and dangerous - they have the power to electrocute anyone. In Germany, around 200 people get struck by lightning every year, out of which only four cases are fatal. By following certain precautions, you can prevent lightning strikes altogether.
When a thunderstorm starts, it's easier to tell how far it is if you hear thunder after about five seconds. If the thunder is heard within a time span of ten seconds or less, then there's a high chance of a lightning strike happening. If you haven't heard any thunder for half an hour, consider the storm to be over.
Tips for staying safe from lightning outdoors
If you're outside during a thunderstorm, finding shelter indoors or in a car is the best option. Totally enclosed vehicles offer the best protection against lightning since they help divert the lightning and the interior is secure.
If your surroundings don't have any buildings or cars nearby, try crouching down with your feet together and protect your head. If you're unable to find a suitable shelter and are in the open, seek refuge in a ditch or any hollow areas.
Following this, it's essential to distance yourself from objects that might attract lightning strikes. These include metal poles, fences, wooden poles, trees, water, tires, and even other people. If you're near metal poles, under power lines, or under a sloping roof of a structure, you are in a relatively safe spot according to the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association (VDE).
Effect of lightning strikes on the body
When a person experiences a lightning strike, the body's voltage surges to several hundred thousand volts. Most of the current doesn't flow through the body, but rather along the body's surface, causing the skin to burn. Spinal nerves can also get affected, leading to disrupted breathing reflexes and a halted heartbeat. Additionally, the person may experience other symptoms like tingling in arms and legs, dizziness, nausea, visual or olfactory impairments, memory loss, and long-term effects like chronic pain and high blood pressure.
Acting quickly even after a lightning strike can save lives
If a person is struck by lightning, it's crucial to react promptly. When the brain isn't supplied with any oxygen for three to four minutes, it can suffer permanent damage. A second lightning strike in the same place is also highly unlikely. Additionally, it's safe to touch the injured person.
First, ensure the person is still conscious. If they are, you can provide assistance based on the situation before the emergency services arrive.
However, if the person isn't responding, turn them onto their back and carefully assess their condition. Check their breathing by looking, listening, and feeling their breath. If it's normal, place them in a stable side position and monitor their breathing while waiting for an ambulance.
If the person doesn't have normal breathing (cardiac arrest or gasping), perform CPR of 30 compressions and two breaths at a time. Keep doing this until professional help arrives.
