Has anyone been caught in a thunderstorm? What did you do? Were you still on the water when it hit? Tom Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tom wrote: > > Has anyone been caught in a thunderstorm? What did you do? > Were you still on the water when it hit? Tom Briefly. The main events were off a couple miles or so, we thought, until a strike nailed a cottonwood on the bank some 100-200 yards off. We had no place to hide, so we stayed about 50 feet off the bank, figuring its 75- to 100-foot tall trees would be the main locus for any more strikes, and paddled like the dickens to a pullout. Got out of the yaks, and went into the open and crouched on our Thermarests with raingear over our heads until the cell passed. And, yes, we did have to change our underwear! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 03:13 AM 3/26/01 -0800, Tom wrote: >Has anyone been caught in a thunderstorm? What did you do? > Were you still on the water when it hit? Tom Last summer I went to paddle with the Cornell Outdoor Club at their weekly practice on the little reservoir on campus. It was raining a bit and the sky looked a bit ominous so there were about a dozen people sitting under the porch waiting to see what the weather was going to do before grabbing the kayaks and going out onto the reservoir. The weather got worse and soon there was thunder and lightning all around. There were at least a couple of lightning strikes that hit the water were we would have been paddling. We waited it out and when it looked like the brunt of the storm passed I went home to paddle another day. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tom wrote: Has anyone been caught in a thunderstorm? What did you do? Were you still on the water when it hit? I have been caught in thunderstorms more then once. In a kayak I try to avoid it, but apart from that, I love walking in the woods in a thunderstorm, or just watching it from some minimal shelter. A thunderstorm is so powerful, so majestic... So far I haven't been hit, blinded or electrocuted. According to statistics, the risk is not high, but the statistics don't apply to someone that actually goes looking for thunderstorms. I think it is something like wanting to paddle in a gale: You know about the risks, but the pleasure makes it worth it. I do realize the risk, I have been thinking about it and have some thoughts to share: - When the weatherforcast predicts thunderstorms, I plan kayak trips without any open crossings. Since I love paddling on warm summerdays that frequently include the possibility of a thunderstorm, cancelling a trip because of this possibility is not an option to me. - When I get caught in a thunderstorm on open water, I paddle like hell. - I try to find cover, off the water or close to shore, close to some trees or rocks, but not so close that a tree hit by lightning can fall on top of me. - Since thunderstorms usually occur at the end of a very warm day, I always have to choose between staying on the water and racing to my car, or waiting it out, in minimal clothing in the pouring rain, risking hypothermia. The choice is not always easy. - Lightning is not only dangerous when you get a direct hit. The electrical current, leading away from the impact, can still kill you. Since a kayak is a good insulator, I stay in the boat, on the water or on land, but do not touch my paddle. Especially when the paddle is in your hands with one blade touching water or land, the current may flow through your paddle and through your body back to the ground. - I heard a recommendation, when paddling on open water, to keep paddling with your paddle as low as possible. I don't think that will really help: I would choose between paddling for shelter as fast as you can with your fastest stroke, or parking your paddle and just wait. I'd like to hear other facts and opinions. Niels. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"Blaauw, Niels" wrote: > - Lightning is not only dangerous when you get a direct hit. The electrical > current, leading away from the impact, can still kill you. Since a kayak is > a good insulator, I stay in the boat, on the water or on land, but do not > touch my paddle. Especially when the paddle is in your hands with one blade > touching water or land, the current may flow through your paddle and through > your body back to the ground. If caught on the water, Niels' advice to stay in the yak, without contacting the paddle, is probably the best you can do. However, no one should be deceived that "... a kayak is a good insulator ..." _in this context_. The voltages associated with lightning strikes are so enormous that they force ionization of water, making it a terrific conductor. Likewise, those voltages will ionize the molecules in your yak, making it a pretty good conductor. Making yourself as small a target as possible is probably the only realistic strategy. If the strike is quite close, you are probably toast (so to speak). -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
By way of introduction; I have a degree in metrology. I also have some experience dealing with thunderstorms in a cruising sailboat. 1. To my knowledge nobody has ever been killed, or seriously injured by lightning while in a fiberglass (read insulating) vessel. 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. 3. If you turn over I doubt if the stray electric currents in the water would harm you. In fact if the water was reasonably warm and if I was sure I could re-enter my boat I would get in the water. I know a person who blew over in a day sailor during an intense L.I. Sound thunderstorm. He reported several water strikes in his vicinity but only "tingling" sensation from the salt water carried electric surge. 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. Richard Smith *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Further to my last post... I wrote this little essay for another paddling group last summer. ____________________________ I gave some additional thought to the issue of water spouts and thunderstorms vs paddlers and other people in small boats and I would add the following... Get a weather radio with an alarm. USE IT! If a broadcast warning is received believe the information and do something while you can. Convection cells (thunderstorms) can move at speeds as high as 40 kt's. I have years of experience observing the weather and I am always impressed with how rapidly a powerful storm can come upon me. Unless you are positive you can reach land before the storm strikes don't try it. More boats are lost and people injured by the common mania to get to shore at any cost. If you are wearing a PFD, stay in contact with your boat and have the capability of reentering after the wind subsides (and it will be briefly calm before the prevailing gradient flow is reestablished) you have an excellent chance of getting through this type of (short term) meteorological event. I think the greatest danger to the paddler would be from the paddle itself. The initial gust(s) from a powerful storm can easily reach 60 to 80 kts. This is guaranteed to yank the paddle from your grasp capsize you and in so doing commit god knows what mayhem to your person. I would be sure the paddle is tethered to the boat and in the water before the initial gust hits. It might be worth while to try bending forward so as to reduce the amount of windage. Regardless of what you do in that respect you will probably go over but, who knows... Secondly I would like to reassure the reader that the risk of electrocution while in the water is not as great as one would fear. I work with a guy who blew over in a Lightning (17 foot day sailer) in Oyster Bay LI during a severe thunderstorm. Although there were several lighting strikes in his vicinity all he experienced was a tingling. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I've had three *interesting* experiences with weather storms. The first two were lightning strikes in the water while sailing. In each case, the lightning hit the water between boats which utterly amazed me because I'd have thought that aluminum masts would provide a lightning rod. The lightning made a "kerchunk" noise when it hit the water, clouds of steam rose from the surface, and the surrounding sailboats had St. Elmo's fire dancing from the rigging for a few seconds. I don't recall a "tingling" sensation but I certainly recall being scared stiff. The third incident was the most bizarre. It occurred on a lake in Northern Quebec which was one of those long finger lakes where the rocky shore plunged into the lake on both sides. Except for an ungly cloud which hovered on the eastern horizon, the sky was blue and the lake was calm when I set out. About a quarter of the way down the lake, I noticed that the wind velocity had increased tremendously at my back. Within ten minutes there were huge rollers sweeping down the narrow lake and I was having a hoot surfing down the waves. THEN - a tornado crossed the lake in front of me. I've never been close to a tornado before and this one came from the east shore, laying down trees as it went, and then raising a waterspout when it hit the water. It was definitely an "oh sh*t" moment when I realized that the wind was howling at my back and I was several hundred meters away from the tornado which seemed to wander across the lake in an erratic path. Once the tornado crossed the lake, the wind started to howl in the opposite direction which made for hellish waves. I don't know what my top speed was on that paddle, but the distance paddled and the time taken indicates that my *average* speed was 28 kpm.... which is the fastest I've ever gone in a kayak but certainly an experience not worth repeating. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Herriot <cherriot_at_controlex-corp.com> > The third incident was the most bizarre. It occurred on a lake in Northern > Quebec which was one of those long finger lakes where the rocky shore > plunged into the lake on both sides. Except for an ungly cloud which hovered > on the eastern horizon, the sky was blue and the lake was calm when I set > out. About a quarter of the way down the lake, I noticed that the wind > velocity had increased tremendously at my back. Within ten minutes there > were huge rollers sweeping down the narrow lake and I was having a hoot > surfing down the waves. THEN - a tornado crossed the lake in front of me. > I've never been close to a tornado before and this one came from the east > shore, laying down trees as it went, and then raising a waterspout when it > hit the water. It was definitely an "oh sh*t" moment ..... Are you sure it wasn't Steven Spilberg rolling one of his films again ..... :-) ? Fernando Lopez Arbarello Kayak Argentina - Sea Kayaking Mailing List www.topica.com/lists/kayak_argentina kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I wrote an article in my newsletter years ago about how to deal with lightning while kayaking. It was based on interviews with NOAA and USCG folk and some academics. Pretty much the advice given here by others is on the mark such as Dave Kruger's point about getting into trees and assuming "the position" on a PFD or insulation mat and Richard Smith's point about little exposure while out on the water in a low kayak. The only things I would add from the article are: 1. If you are on the water and are confident that you can get to shore, abandon your boat and get into deep trees and assume the position, do so. If you don't feel you have that amount of time, then you are better off staying out to sea and crouched over as low as possible in your boat. Here is where being in a stable kayak works out well, since waters do churn up in storm. You really want to avoid using your paddle and creating any bridges between you, it and the water. 2. The most dangerous place seems to be a zone 50-100 yards on either side of the shore line, i.e. on the beach or in the waters immediately off it. If you find yourself caught on the beach as lightning strikes and have not been able to get into a more protected area, stay in your boat low or assume the position, i.e. don't be caught standing tall or running. 3. Watch where you seek shelter. There was a case in the early 90s here in Rhode Island where some kayakers sought shelter in an old set of fortifications. They were in a pillbox gunpost and got hurt by lightning that coursed through all the steel rebars in the concrete walls. The position? What Dave describes. You get on your knees or if you can sit low on you your feet (something most women can't do BTW because of they way they are built), have your head down and your arms and hands tucked in or on your head like a surrounding soldier. While there are arguments whether having something below you helps (mountaineers used coiled rope, we can use our PFDs) do have something under you of that nature as it can't hurt. As some people have said, the odds of being struck are low. All you are trying to do is reduce those odds further through steps such as mentioned above and by others. With lightning there are no guarantees of being absolutely 100% strike-free. I have heard of cases where a group of sailors in small sailboats pulled up to a beach where the person struck by lightning was nearest the boat with the shortest mast made of wood where as others with taller aluminum masts did not get hit on the same beach. Go figure. Have I ever been caught in lightning on the water? Several times but once memorably. I was leading a group of kayakers when the skies really lit up with bolts coming our way. We happened to be near a beach we could land on and I felt with enough time to get into deep woods. We landed, pulled our boats as high as we could in a hurry so that waves would not wash them out into the water. Ran into the woods with our PFDs. I had all the group assume the position at intervals from each other along the side of a path on the woods. There we waited out the lightning striking around us; I kept us that way for a bit longer until sure the storm was moving away. I later wondered what someone who might have happened down the path would have thought seeing us all still lined up wearing skirts with our asses up. :-) ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
One thunderstorm encounter "at sea": While I was paddling about a mile and a half off shore on the German North Sea coast with the normal on-shore breeze, a thunderstrom developed moving OFF-shore (it happens sometimes very unusually and is usually NOT pleasant). I was in a fiber glass kayak at the time, too unstable and cramped to lay down within the hull, so I just kept paddling towards shore. Within minutes I was enveloped in such thick rain, that the waves became noticeably smoother (lacking any other reference marks at this stage, I could barely keep a course towards shore by them). A point in my favor was that there was no visual evidence of lightning due to the heavy rain ... just enourmous claps of thunder all around. I have no recollection how long the whole thing lasted and just kept paddling for shore even when the rain had more or less stopped. Looking out to sea over my shoulder I was treated to a fine fire works display and am glad to this day that I could not see it while in its midst. Ralph Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I've been caught in several. On Lake Superior brief thunderstorms come out of nowhere. It can be a beautiful sunny day, nothing on the weather radio and bang, out of nowhere comes a fast moving system that is gone twenty minutes later. I have been caught in heavy hail which is extremely *loud* while whacking your hull. And it hurts. The most terrifying is that kind of thunder and lightning that makes you twitch so much you're afraid you're going to capsize. I know people who have been caught in micro-bursts. I've missed those so far. -Patrick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Here in Florida it's a daily event in summer. You really can't go paddling without some risk of being caught. The storms don't last long but the rains are torrential obscuring all references and producing 6 or 8 inches of splash (for want of a better word). I usually try to head in when the cells start tracking my way but sometimes it's unavoidable. I try to keep a low profile, head down near the deck like setting up for a roll. I've been close to water hits and once to a waterspout (tornado on the ocean) but never zapped. Realistically, when you are in a boat that's good for 5 knots, you're not going to dodge a storm moving at 20. I simply wait to be hit and feel grateful when I'm not, knowing statically, I'm still pretty safe. I did experience a lightning strike while diving. It does dissipate pretty quickly but you could feel a tingle in the water. It's neat to look up and see the flashes and know the folks on the boat were wishing they were underwater! Cya Bob Denton Delray Beach *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- 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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have no personal experience with lighting while out in a kayak but I have seen quite a few strikes (and near strikes) whilst in the mountains, and also some data from aircraft "survivability" investigations when I worked in the industry. 1. Lightning will generally want to strike the highest and sharpest (i.e. most pointy, or smallest radius) shape around. So the last place you want to be on a mountain for example on the peak, or on a ridge. Being under the tallest tree around is also the worst place get out of the weather. Also note that a tree on the side of more rounded summit is more likely to get struck than the peak even if the tree is lower. 2. Small quantities of conductors like tent poles or pots are not likely to attract a strike, but large pointed ones could, especially if it is the tallest object and forms a bridge to the ground. I learned this once in a rather unnerving way, once I had skied up to the summit of mount Baker on what started out as a clear spring day. On the summit I took the skis off to rest and prepare for the decent by removing the climbing skins, adjust the bindings and boots, put on a parka, etc. The skis were sticking strait up out of the snow, I was sitting on my pack next to them. There had been a slowing gathering haze, then clouds, right over the summit during the afternoon, but no wind or precipitation, and certainly no lightning or thunder. As I got ready to put my pack back on I heard an odd loud hissing sound that sounded like it was coming from down slope below me. It was almost like the sound of air leaking from an air tank. I thought it might be air coming from a crevasse caused by the glacier movement or something but I never seen or heard of that before. I walked around a bit to see where the sound was coming from, but as I moved way from my gear it was sounding farther way. Then I thought something was leaking in my pack, altitude will sometime cause water bottles or sealed packaging to swell up and leak, but it was so loud, and getting louder. And it was not coming from my pack anyway, I checked. I walked in a slow circle around the skis and realized the sound was coming from them (?). It did not sound threatening, just odd, and getting louder still. Air leaking from my skis? I ran my bare hands up and down on them and did not feel anything unusual. At that point I started smelling that unique "electricity" smell caused by ozone formation from the air starting to ionize in a strong electric field. I knew that in a pending strike the air has to become ionized before the electricity can "jump" from the cloud to the ground, or from cloud to cloud, otherwise normal air will not conduct electricity. That is when I realized the sound was likely due to a high voltage potential and a strike was likely imminent! I have seen lot of lightning strikes in the mountains, and smelled that smell before but I never had been at ground zero. I had also read quite a bit about lighting effects in the mountains and had never heard of anyone reporting this hissing sound. But the ozone smell made the connection for me. I immediately pulled the skis out of the snow and laid them down. The hissing sound stopped! But the ozone smell was still present and now my head was the highest point around! I put the pack and skis on as fast as I could and burned down the mountain, to hell with the crevasses! I descend 3 miles and 6000 feet in about 45 minutes. Putting as much distance between me and the summit dome as possible where this cloud cap had formed. In general I would think if you are at risk of lighting strike out on the water the best thing you can do is make your self as low as possible (not much in a kayak, but even a little lower is better than nothing considering out on the water you will be a target anyway). 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. So if you know you are at imminent risk of a strike, I would put the paddle away, sit sill and try to lay flat. Or better, completely slip down inside the kayak if possible. You would also be surprised to learn that most people struck by lightning actually survive. Some are not even injured, I met one personally on a summit climb. He had just been hit above me after a sudden storm had broke out. It was not a direct hit but he got electrocuted and knocked out through the surface discharge on the rock he was holding onto. After he woke up he rapidly climb down to where I was waiting out the storm. He was shaken but physically fine, we spent several hours together waiting for the storm to clear and gave it up and descended together. I figured if there was going to be another strike near us he would make a good lightning rod ;^). However more commonly the survivors injuries range from mild burns, to pretty severe internal burns and brain damage. So best not to depend on luck if you are in an electrical storm. If a kayak was struck it would turn into a ball of charred fuzz and not hold water very well, I've seen it on fiberglass aircraft parts. They protect against this by embedding thin metal foil strips in the fiberglass to conduct the electricity across the surface of the part, I do not know if doing that on a kayak would make it more of a target, or allow it discharge to the water without damage. Sea water over the surface I would think would make it a conductor anyway. If you are down inside the kayak you would likely be safe since the electricity would flow down the surface of the hull to the water. Though you might suffer hearing damage. This has happened on small aircraft strikes, no electrical burns or physical damage to the aircraft or passengers, but fiberglass and electronic equipment damage. Even the engine keeps running and they can land safely presuming they could locate an airport with their electronics burned out. 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), I would consider rolling, wet exiting and waiting until the cell passes with my head up inside the overturned cockpit. Not a recommendation, just what I would consider doing. There is not evidence you would be better off doing this or not (that is my disclaimer). Peter Chopelas *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- 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/ ***************************************************************************
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