- Lightning hazard: what rules to follow
On Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, an 18-year-old was killed by a lightning strike on July 22nd, near the mountain station. On the same Sunday, eight members of a family were injured by a lightning strike in Delmenhorst, near Bremen, while seeking shelter under a tree at a park's grill area. A 14-year-old girl, who had to be revived, died eight days later in the hospital. Her five-year-old brother was initially in critical condition. When heavy rain suddenly starts and there's thunder and lightning, people can easily panic. It's important to closely monitor the weather forecast when planning outdoor activities.
What is the risk of being struck by lightning?
There is no official statistic in Germany for the number of deaths and injuries caused by lightning strikes. The Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) collects and analyzes media reports on lightning incidents and interviews survivors. According to the association's analysis, there are about seven deaths and 120 injuries caused by lightning strikes nationwide each year. "30 percent of people directly struck by lightning die," says Thomas Raphael, a lightning protection expert at VDE. Each year, about 52 people are injured, often suffering lifelong consequences from the lightning strike.**
What precautions should be taken?
If bad weather is forecast, outdoor activities should be avoided, Raphael advises. "If I know that thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, I need to know where I can find shelter," says the electrical engineer. "The best shelter is a closed stone building," emphasizes lightning researcher Ullrich Finke of Hannover University. It's also relatively safe inside cars, but the windows should remain closed. The metal body of the car serves as protection and prevents electricity from entering the interior. Convertibles only offer protection if they have a metal layer in the roof.**
You should seek shelter before the thunderstorm arrives, Raphael says. "From our analyses, we know that there are always situations where the first lightning strike causes damage."
If you're caught outside in a storm, which places should you avoid?
"Many people still don't realize that you should avoid trees during thunderstorms," says Raphael. This applies to all types of trees. Lightning often strikes the highest point, so horse riders should also dismount. Lightning can jump from trees or wooden poles to nearby people, even over several meters. Finke also advises against taking shelter against a house wall, as it has a similar effect to a tree. You should also avoid water and metallic objects or metal poles, as they conduct electricity well. Cyclists should dismount and leave their bike at least ten meters away.
Can I seek shelter in a wooden hut or a bus shelter?
"Huts are unsuitable, as the current goes through them into the ground," says neurologist Berthold Schalke, who treats patients at the University of Regensburg after lightning strikes. In 2013, four women died on a golf course when they sought shelter in a wooden hut during a thunderstorm, as the lightning jumped from the walls of the hut onto them. Schalke also knows lightning victims who were sitting in bus shelters. In this case, the lightning struck a tree behind the bus stop and reached the person through the ground. For example, when hiking in the mountains, metallic ladders or railings can cause deadly electric shocks.
What should I do if I can no longer reach a solid building?
It is recommended to find a depression in the open field and crouch down with closed feet. If lightning strikes nearby, the current will spread through the ground. Standing with legs apart can create a step voltage - current flowing through the body. The danger zone is more than ten meters around the impact point, and in rocky areas, it is even larger. Rocks should not be touched while crouching. People should also crouch at least ten meters apart from each other and not touch - so no children should be held by the hand.
What possible after-effects can occur after lightning strikes?
According to doctor Schalke, neuropsychological effects include cognitive restrictions. Patients often can no longer concentrate well and have memory problems. The thin nerve fibers in the body through which the current flowed are irreversibly damaged. A consequence is the loss of pain and temperature sensation. "Many people can no longer work after a lightning strike," says the doctor. In addition, some patients have difficulty proving to their insurance that their illnesses are actually direct consequences of the lightning accident. If the current enters through the ground, there are no scars on the skin.
VDE Association on Lightning
The VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies reported that about 52 people are injured each year in Germany due to lightning strikes, with 30% of those directly struck by lightning resulting in fatalities. (From the text)
During thunderstorms, people should avoid trees, metallic objects, and water, as lightning often seeks the highest point or conducts electricity well. (Based on the text)
