Bolting & Torching - What to do in a Lightning Clash?
When a tempest rages and neither beech nor oak is safe, what should you do during the storm? - Seek shelter during lightning: avoid open spaces, water bodies, and tall structures; use a phone or other electronic devices only when necessary; crouch if indoors with no personnel contact, or lie flat on the ground if outdoors, keeping feet together.
Alrighty, let's bust some myths here. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn't be shackling yourself under beech trees during a thunderstorm, thinking it'll keep you safe while avoiding oaks and willows. Dr. Fred Zack, a seasoned forensic pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience in investigating lightning strike-related mishaps, calls it a load of hogwash in his latest non-fiction book. See, there's no need to folly around with trees when confronted by lightning; they're all equally dangerous.
"That old rhyme has been floating around for ages, and it's clearly thanks to its catchy tune that it's stuck," the 65-year-old wags a finger, still performing odd jobs at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Rostock after 30 years there. He's authored a resourceful book, "Shockbolts: Science, Myths, and the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Secure," geared towards the general public and a follow-up to his first publication intended for medical professionals.
Each year in Germany, around ten fatalities and 100 injuries are attributed to lightning strikes. Considering nine in ten instances could have been prevented, Dr. Zack penned the book with the aim of educating folks about this dangerous weather phenomenon.
Ever heard about being "struck by lightning out of a clear blue sky"? Well, that ain't just some fancy talk. Unlike the beech tree tale, this saying stands true. Lightning can strike miles away from the thunderstorm's actual cell and can even reach when the sun's blazing. "Heck, it doesn't even need to be raining," confirms Zack. And wouldn't you know it, about 10 to 13 percent of all lightning-related fatalities stem from lightning striking from a clear blue sky.
By the way, did you realize that Germany had 209,619 lightning strikes in 2024, equating to about one every two and a half minutes? That's a fair bit more than the previous two years. And Bavaria had the lion's share of those with a whopping 56,664 strikes. You'd think Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania would be next, but nope, it was slammed with only 11,880 strikes. Mind you, these figures only account for ground strikes – direct impacts on the earth, not discharges within the clouds.
Now, let me paint you a picture: when lightning strikes, the channel in the center is roughly as thick as your thumb, and temperatures soar to a scorching 30,000 degrees Celsius. "Good grief, that's some blistering heat!" says Zack. And do you know what that means? Sure as shooting, it means gold chains ain't immune to lightning either. The intense heat vaporizes the gold, leaving a few flecks behind as speckled burns on a person's skin.
Sports fields like golf courses and football pitches can be hazardous zones during thunderstorms. There have been numerous accounts of football players getting clobbered, injured, or even killed by lightning. And here's a little tidbit for you – the incident in Honduras in 1995 where 14 people died during a football match wasn't necessarily due to a direct hit. Many of those fatalities were caused by step voltage, a phenomenon wherein the lightning electricity travels through the ground to a person, entering the body through one foot and exiting through the other.
In the end, your chances of being struck by lightning in Germany are pretty slim. It's a much more significant issue in countries like India and South America. But don't think you're invincible just yet, bucko. Dr. Zack stresses that even though absolute safety from lightning isn't guaranteed, there's one sturdy guideline he highlights early on in his book: "When thunder roars, hightail it indoors!"
Book- "Shockbolts: Science, Myths, and the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Secure" by Dr. Fred Zack
Key Tidbits- Contrary to popular belief, it's dangerous to seek shelter under trees during a thunderstorm.- Stay away from isolated tall objects and open areas to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning.- Proper shelter is crucial - seek protection in a fully enclosed building or a metal-topped vehicle with closed windows.- Engineered lightning protection systems, such as lightning rods, grounding systems, and surge protectors, can help safeguard buildings.- Stay indoors during a thunderstorm, and avoid conductive paths (water, metal fences, electrical equipment).- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before venturing outside again.
- Dr. Zack's book, "Shockbolts: Science, Myths, and the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Secure," delves into the importance of science in understanding the risks related to exposure to lightning, which is a significant factor in health-and-wellness.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, it is crucial to be aware of the hazards of lightning strikes, which can lead to fitness-and-exercise opportunities being compromised if proper precautions are not taken.
- Nutrition is an essential aspect of staying healthy, and knowing the facts about lightning safety can help maintain mental health, as fear and misinformation surrounding the weather phenomenon can be reduced.
