Re: [Paddlewise] Lightning Solutions?

I researched the subject of kayaking and lightening about five or six
years ago for an article in my newsletter.  I read all I could and
talked to people at NOAA and the Coast Guard among other sources.

Just some general conclusions:

Overall, lightening is so unpredictable in its behavior that there
really are no guarantees no matter what you do.  Case examples abound of
rowboats alongside sailing vessels on a dock or beach and the rowboat
getting hit!!!  So much for hard and fast rules.  However, there are
certainly somethings to do.

1.  Do get to shore if you can.

2.  When paddling, at any cost, avoid being in the high strike zone
that is roughly about 50 feet or so on either side of the water line, on
shore and in the water.  If you don't think you can clear that area
while paddling, you would be better off rafting up with others or
crawling down in your boat and hope you can stay upright.  The more
stable the boat is on its own without your needing to brace, the easier
it is to do this.  Doubles are great for this.

3.  Once on shore and cleared of this area and not under lone trees,
assume the position described elsewhere.  It basically resembles taking
a shit only get lower and keep your head down.  Keep your PFD under you
as it will act as some minimal amount of insulation.  This is similar to
the principle used by mountaineers who squat on their coiled up climbing
ropes.  Whatever you do don't form any arcing bridges such as what a
football player's stance with several points of contact with the
ground.  You don't want to act like a battery polarization.

4.  I can't be absolutely certain of this, but being in a folding kayak
with rubber under you may offer an extra level of protection.  It is
similar to the principal of being in a car.  The rubber tires insulate
you from the ground even though you are in a metal cage!!!  But you have
to keep low.  If you manage to drag your kayak far enough out of that
high-strike zone at the water's edge, you may want to be in your boat
especially if of non-conductive material.  Rubber is obviously best but
fiberglass and plastic are okay.  But get in low, drop your head below
the plain of the the cockpit rim.

Again, these points are not fool-proof.  Lightning is fickle.  These
pointers just help a bit, lessen your exposure.  But there is no such
thing as absolute safety re. lightning.

Another point, for those who have a mast on their kayaks for sailing. 
There is such a thing as a zone of protection that is created by the
mast.  It is approximately, if I recall correctly from the article, a
zone whose radius is half the height of the mast.  So a 12 foot mast
would create a 6 ft radius circle around the base of the mast (it may be
the full 12 ft.  I can't remember).  But only if the mast is grounded. 
The suggestion for a boat like a kayak or rowboat with a mast is to have
a thick copper wire running from where the mast partner is to overhang
into the water enough inches to remain in the water while heeled over. 
Again, all this talk of grounding masts doesn't work at times.  Some
sail boats have had the bottom of their hulls blown out at the mast base
when struck by lightning.

ralph diaz


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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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