Re: [Paddlewise] Anyone Been In A Thunderstorm?

From: Fernando Lopez Arbarello <kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 19:43:06 -0300
----- Original Message -----
From: Christine Allison <sailnut_at_asan.com>

> 2.  It is most unlikely that lightning would strike a kayak since it is
low
> and has nothing like a mast or antenna to attract a strike.

I wouldn´t bet my life on it if  I am far ( 50 mts ) from something higher.
A kayak might be low but the kayaker surely is a good antenna, and both are
higher than the water. Last summer we had 2 people dead by the beach by
lightnings, one was swimming about 100 mts from the coast, where the beah is
40 mts wide and surrounded by high buildings with radio and tv antennas. The
other was walking by the water.

> 3.  If you turn over I doubt if the stray electric currents in the water
> would harm you.

Mama said, "never play with a millon volts" .....

> I AM NOT PLAYING DOWN THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE EVENTS.  But the
> real danger lies with the high winds and confused building seas not
> lightning.

So we can suggest thunder storms as a more "natural" alternative for the
"electric chair" .... ( excuse my irony ) .... I am quite experienced
kayaker, and when you say wind and waves, I feel FUN, but when you say
lightnings and electric charge .... I feel RUNNNNN !!!!!!

Best regards .-

Fernando Lopez Arbarello
Kayak Argentina - Sea Kayaking Mailing List
www.topica.com/lists/kayak_argentina
kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar

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Received on Mon Mar 26 2001 - 15:04:41 PST

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