Re: [Paddlewise] Lightning Solutions?

>
>haven't heard from any river runners on this ... let's hear something ;-)
>
>to start off, are you safer on the river, since, by default, you are at
>the lowest point possible?? we've watched some pretty hairy storms move
>in, and have almost always managed to be at our cars by the time the
>lightening was striking, and there has always been [at least with larger
>groups] a mixed consensus [sp?] as to get out and hide near a tree [which
>i disagree with] or keep trucking and head for the cars, which i support,
>telling everyone to hug the banks...
>
>comments?? [oh this should be fun!!!]
>
>mark

FUN FUN FUN!!!
How many people have paddled around lightning?, get caught in a storm with
lightning? How many have been struck?
To answer my own questions , all us at one time or another have been around
lightning when we are paddling. I have smell the ozone smell after the
strikes,had my hair stand on end and have had the crackling sensation lower
 from 6ft. above the water to water level. paddling with no land ( in Fla.
we don't have cliffs or very high land for that matter) near by you rely
on, praying to what ever religion you belong is about the best thing to do.
The best thing to do is pay attention to the weather and pray if you get
caught. You still stand a better chance getting killed in your auto (unless
in a SUV of course) going to and from the paddle site, but no one pays much
attention to that.

In Florida the total deaths and injuries during the 1959-93 period were:
Death 337 Injury 1039 
(Boating or water related 150) vs (In open field or area 329) vs(On Golf
Courses 40)vs untold of traffic deaths a year.

If you are caught outside: Stay away from tall, isolated objects like
trees, flagpoles, or posts, and avoid large open areas like fields or
parking lots where you are the relatively highest object. Stay away from
lakes, ponds, railroad tracks, and fences which could bring current from a
'far-away'lightning strike to you. 
If there is no shelter, crouch down, grab your ankles, and bend forward, in
a position where your head is not the highest part of your body and where
your head does not touch the ground. DO NOT lie flat on the ground. If
lightning is about to strike you or something extremely close, you may
experience a tingling feeling on your skin and/or your hair may stand on
end. If this occurs, quickly get into the position described above and or
pray.

all this and not a soap box in sight!

Dana 
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