RE: [Paddlewise] Lightning and Space Blanket

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 11:32:02 -0800
PeterO asked, on Paddlewise:

>>Given the logic of what you are saying, is it a sensible compromise to
crouch near but not against the bank? This is what I was doing though I
wasn't thinking of avoiding ground currents at the time. Do the texts give
much detail or case studies? I'll try to sketch a cross section of how I was
located. I'm assuming ground currents don't arc back out of the ground - is
that the case?

                                       **********
                                      *
                                      * B
                     PeterO      * A
                     seated       * N
                      ####        * K
                      ####        *
                      ####        *
            *********************** River    *     grass & mud*****>>

Peter, if I read your diagram correctly, this is about as good as you can do.
Note Ralph Diaz posted info on a "zone of protection" near tall objects.  If
you are on something insulating and not touching the bank, I'd guess you are
safer there than in the open.

I can vouch for Ralph's zone, having been in the water when trees on the bank
adjacent got nailed about 100 meters off.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Thu Oct 30 2003 - 12:21:14 PST

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