Lightning Safety - FOR EVERYONE

Tips and a couple of videos that show lightning ain't something to

mess around with

Players getting hit on soccer field

What probaly happened here was the ground currents from the bolt

getting them, not

a direct strike. Ground currents from nearby lightning strikes can

KILL. That's why if you

are caught outside and can't get to shelter you have to squat and keep

your feet TOGETHER , keep your head low, and don't lie down, because

the voltage difference

can be thousands of volts between one area of ground, and another just

a foot away.)

Close up of a tree getting it:

A couple examples of what NOT to do: (these guys were very lucky):

People playing ball in a storm, almost gets hit

Man standing inside his garage gets zapped by current conducted

through

the cement floor!

Man videotaping storm while outside almost gets killed (again one

very lucky dude)

And here is the article on lightning safety:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

Lightning-The Underrated Killer

In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million lightning

flashes each year. During the past 30 years, lightning killed an

average of 62 people per year . This ties the average of 62 deaths per

year caused by tornadoes. Yet because lightning usually claims only

one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of

property, it is underrated as a risk. While documented lightning

injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented

injuries likely much higher.

Watch for Developing Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are most

likely to develop on spring or summer days but can occur year round.

As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to rise and

cumulus clouds form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow

vertically into towering cumulus clouds, often the first sign of a

developing thunderstorm.

An Approaching Thunderstorm: When to Seek Safe Shelter:

Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from area where it is raining.

That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear

thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter

immediately.

Outdoor Activities: Minimize the Risk of Being Struck: Most

lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized

outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and

other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to

ensure everyone time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle.

Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff

are aware of and enforce.

Indoor Activities: Things to Avoid: Inside building, stay off

corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you

in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools, indoor or

outdoor, tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for

key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water

or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last strike,

before going out again.

Helping a Lightning Strike Victim: If a person is struck by

lightning, call 911 and get medical care immediately. Cardiac arrest

and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where

people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment,

including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike.

You are in no danger helping a lightning victim. The charge will not

affect you.

Summary: Lightning is dangerous. With common sense, you can

greatly increase your safety and the safety of those you are with. At

the first clap of thunder, go a large building or fully enclosed

vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder to back

outside.

Remember to unplug electronics including phone and cable before the

storm (not during scince you could get zapped) or when you are leaving

for the day. Plug in surge protectors dont stop direct strikes to the

lines

<balanco01@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:1183211906.124345.287300@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> Remember to unplug electronics including phone and cable before the

> storm (not during scince you could get zapped) or when you are leaving

> for the day. Plug in surge protectors dont stop direct strikes to the

> lines

Democrats and all foreigners, because they are special, can INGORE these

guidelines.

On Jul 2, 8:24 am, "Patriot Games" <Crazy_Bastard@The_Beach.com>

wrote:

> <balanc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message

>

> news:1183211906.124345.287300@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

>

> > Remember to unplug electronics including phone and cable before the

> > storm (not during scince you could get zapped) or when you are leaving

> > for the day. Plug in surge protectors dont stop direct strikes to the

> > lines

>

> Democrats and all foreigners, because they are special, can INGORE these

> guidelines.

Wow, you really think we are immortal. I'm touched.