[Paddlewise] More on lightning safety

From: Michael Edelman <mje_at_spamcop.net>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 18:02:24 -0500
anna wrote:


> He recommended, that one should take the paddle in right hand, invert one
> blade into the water and if the lightning strikes, the upper paddle blade would direct
> the electricity along the paddle shaft to the water. And the right hand - not
> the left, because the electricity would be less likely to hurt your heart
> that way. But PLEASE, do not try this at home...
>
Not a good idea, for a number of reasons. I think the fellow who gave
that advice was making inferences based on electric safety rules and a
certain amount of intuition, but it's not really applicable here. Mot
paddles are poor conductors, but even a piece of copper wire wouldn't be
much help. A strike that close will injure or kill with blast and heat
effects.

Oh, and your heart is pretty much in the center of your chest.

-- mike
 -------------------------
 Michael Edelman
 mje_at_spamcop.net
 http://www.foldingkayaks.org
 http://www.findascope.com



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Received on Mon Mar 26 2001 - 16:01:17 PST

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