First rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > 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. [snip] Then James Lofton wrote: > Also, I believe the reason that a person is safer in a auto during > lighting and what protects them when an electrical power line falls > across the auto, is not the rubber on the tires so much as the faraday > sp? box effect. I may stand corrected on this, but I believe I'm right. > If so, then the folding kayak skin wouldn't add any protection.(at least > the same as an auto does) [snip] Yup, James, that's my understanding, also. The electrical field inside a completely enclosed METALLIC cage is zero -- so the metallic cage (body of the car) protects its contents, *but not the car,* including its tires. After the strike(s), it pays to get the heck out of the vehicle, in case of fire, etc. Of course, all bets are off if someone is touching the metallic surface of the car body. Now, if the folder were a metal-framed craft, and you could suspend yourself between its members without touching any ... anyone for levitation? Ralph, better work on that! <G> -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu May 07 1998 - 16:57:41 PDT
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