Re: [Paddlewise] Anyone Been In A Thunderstorm?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter A. Chopelas" <pac_at_premier1.net>
To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 8:00 PM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Anyone Been In A Thunderstorm?


>Another thing I have seen
> in the studies of human strikes is some evidence of a lot of physical
> activity may attract the strike.  For instance there were situations where
> a jogger was hit even though there were objects much higher around the
> strike site, another where a whole baseball team was in the field standing
> still, and the pitcher was struck right as he was winding up for a pitch.
>
You say, "some evidence"; I'm curious as to the strength of the evidence. Is
there conclusive evidence that physical activity attracts strikes? Granted,
from what you report it "may". Assuming this is all anecdotal evidence, I
worry about the risk of drawing false inferences. Maybe a researcher has
placed a galloping horse in a field during prime thunderstorm activity in
Florida along with upright yet immobilized horses and recorded the
frequencies of lighting strikes on each. I don't know. What other
contributing factors were considered or ruled out in the case of the jogger?
What conclusions were drawn about the fact that the pitcher was standing on
a mound? In your opinion, if you dispersed nine people in a field, would
movement or lack of movement be the deciding factor on who was struck? I
understand you qualified your statement about "consider rolling, wet exiting
and waiting until the cell passes with my head up inside the overturned
cockpit" with, "If you know strikes are imminent when out in a kayak
(because you have seen other surface strikes and now you smell ozone and see
a lot of static sparks)", and, "There is not evidence you would be better
off doing this or not (that is my disclaimer)." I ask because of my
unfamiliarity with these studies, and if the evidence is strong enough, I
may consider altering some of my behaviors when faced with an approaching
thunderstorm. Ultimately, each individual must decide for themselves what to
do in each unique situation based on their first hand experience and drawing
from their understanding of the available technical knowledge.

Thanks in advance,
Craig


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************