RE: [Paddlewise] Thunderstorm

From: Bob Denton <gulfstream_at_flinet.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 05:19:53 -0500
I was diving in the ocean and probably at 40 feet heading up, but waiting
for the storm to clear. I would NOT want to be in the water at the surface!

The depth of the water was 80 feet or so and I believe the strike dissipated
in a hemisphere very much like light does at the square of the distance.

I doubt that fresh water (sweet) would make a significant difference.

Cya

>>>
As I read, some people go INTO the water to avoid being hit by lightning. A
diver actually felt the current going through his body and lived to tell us
about it. I must say that going into the water is tempting, not only to
avoid the lightning, but also because the water might be much more
comfortable then the winds, heavy rain and possible hail at the surface.

Still, I am wondering about one small detail... I guess the diver was
talking about salt water, that is a better electric conductor then the human
body. In sweet water, the story might be completely different. Any surviving
sweet water divers that have something to add?

Niels
>>>


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Received on Thu Mar 29 2001 - 07:43:33 PST

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