IMHO, lightning is erratic and dangerous enough to stay well away from, if you can. Previous posts already mentioned some of dangers of direct hits, secondary hits and ground currents, I'll summarize if I may: - Nervous system damage resulting in - "General system failure" (heart and breathing stopping) Burns Ear and eye damage Even if you get help quick enough and you survive these, their effects may be permanent. The 45 degree cone theory has some physical truth in it, but stricktly only onder laboratory conditions. The safest place to be is inside, preferably under a solid roof and well away from any openings. Don't touch any metal or other conducting objects, especially not those that connect to the outside (telephone, water taps, electrical appliances, central heating pipes). Second best place is in a car or other metal enclosure, as far away from any windows (the back seat may be the beter choice, with those modern sloping windscreens) When outside, squat with your feet as close together as possible at the lowest possible place, cover your eyes and ears (thumbs in your ears and fingers over your eyes). When in a group, spread apart, so not everyone is rendered helpless when struck. be safe, Kees *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Aug 21 2002 - 11:00:17 PDT
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