Martin Lesperance
Firefighter/paramedic, speaker, best selling author




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Lightning

lightning is an electrical discharge which results from a buildup of static electricity between the ground and the clouds, or between two clouds. lightning kills nearly 100 people every year in North America. Injuries caused by lightning are many times that number. Eighty-five percent of lightning victims were children and young men between the ages of 10-35 years. They were usually engaged in recreational or work activities. Twenty percent of strike victims die, while 70% will suffer serious burns.

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One young man was golfing with friends when a thunderstorm approached. He jokingly dared God to strike him dead with lightning as he waved his golf club. He was struck almost instantly and died.

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When a thunderstorm threatens, take these precautions to reduce the likelihood of being struck by lightning.

  

Indoors
  • Avoid using the telephone except for emergencies. lightning may strike electric and phone lines and induce shocks.
    •
  • Don’t use electrical appliances, computers, television sets, etc. Disconnect them.
  • Remain indoors until the storm has passed.
  • Stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, metal pipes and sinks. Don’t use the water during a storm.

Outdoors

If you’re caught outdoors:

  • Try to get into a house, large building, or all-metal (not a convertible) car.
  • Don’t stand underneath a natural lightning rod such as a tall isolated tree.
  • Avoid hilltops and open spaces.
  • Stay away from metal objects such as antennas, electric wires, fences, and train tracks. The rails can carry lightning to you from some distance away.
  • Get off and away from machinery, golf carts, and bicycles. Put golf clubs and fishing rods down.
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  • Avoid standing in small isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
  • In a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. If you’re in an open area, go to a place as low as possible, like a ravine or a valley. In low-lying areas, be aware of the danger of flash floods
  • If you’re in your car, stay there; it will give you protection. Don’t park by trees that might fall on you.
  • If you’re caught in a flat area such as a level field or prairie and you feel your hair standing on end, this is an indication that lightning is about to strike. Avoid contact with other people, remove all metal objects from your body and clothes, crouch down with your feet together and hands on your knees.

You can estimate the distance a lightning strike is away from you by counting the seconds between the flash and the thunderclap. For each five-second count, the lightning is approximately one mile (1500 meters) away.

Copyright 1997 SafetyHealth Publishing Inc.

Martin Lesperance is a fire fighter/paramedic and is the author of the best selling book "I Won’t be in to Work Today – Preventing Injuries at Home, Work and Play" Martin delivers keynote presentations dealing with injury prevention. His talks are funny, but still have a strong underlying message. Visit his website at www.safete.com

 


Martin Lesperance - Firefiigher Paramedic


TO CONTACT MARTIN:
Martin Lesperance
Ph: (403) 225 - 2011
or 1-888-278-8964
Fax:(403)225-3215
martin@safete.com

 
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