Understand 4 principles to never be struck by lightning

(Baonghean.vn) - Lightning is a natural phenomenon that often appears before, during, and even after a rainstorm. It can strike anywhere, any object when there isthe accumulation and discharge of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds and the ground or between clouds of opposite charge.It is currently the rainy season, so everyone needs to be aware of theprincipleprecautions can significantly reduce the chance of being struck by lightning.

Lightning appears before, during and even after the rain. Photo: Internet

What are the most vulnerable situations to lightning?

1. Wander in a spacious, open space when it rains

Lightning strikes before, during, and even after a storm. Open, open spaces like fields, golf courses, and parking lots are all favorite spots for lightning. At this time, you will accidentally be the tallest "object" in that area.

When the ground receives the induction of electric current from the thunderstorm cloud, the towering objects will concentrate a relatively large amount of induced electric charge, which has the ability to attract strong electric waves, so it easily absorbs electric rays.

Besides, standing under the shade of a big tree is not a good choice. Because according to the above principle, a tall tree can absorb electric rays and harm you.

2. Holding an umbrella or standing near metal objects

Lightning is a very strong electric current and metal is a very good conductor of electricity. This current has an intensity of several tens of thousands to more than one hundred million volts. When an electric spark is discharged, the temperature of the spark caused by lightning can reach thousands of degrees Celsius. It is best to stay away from objects such as bicycles, motorbikes, iron fences, hoes, sickles... because they are very good conductors of electricity.

Umbrellas contain metal, so holding an umbrella in a thunderstorm can easily lead to lightning strikes. Photo: Internet

In addition, holding an umbrella is also considered a "lightning rod" because it contains metal. Therefore, when it rains and thunders, do not be foolish to carry an umbrella out on the street.

3. Go swimming in rivers, streams, or swimming pools

Like metal, water is also a very good conductor of electricity. If you don’t want to burn yourself to a crisp, you shouldn’t go swimming during thunderstorms.

4. Stand near a window, door or lie on the ground

You think you are completely safe when you are indoors, so you can freely look out the window? But the truth is, standing near windows and doors is not really safe.

Furthermore, you absolutely must not lie flat on the ground, because you must minimize contact with the ground to reduce the amount of electric charge transmitted to the ground through your body.

5. Take a bath, watch TV, use the phone

Using a landline telephone during a thunderstorm is dangerous. Lightning can travel through power lines and telephone cables and travel long distances. It is best to turn off the power and unplug electrical devices to avoid being struck by lightning in this way.

Because water pipes can be plastic but also copper, so taking a bath during a thunderstorm is not a good idea. Because you may accidentally turn yourself into a delicious bait for the "lightning god".

Four principles of preventing lightning strikes

1. Plan ahead

Listen to the weather forecast and plan your work accordingly. When working in an area, look for safe places to shelter from rain and lightning. Calculate the time from your work area to a safe place. Thunderstorms usually come very quickly, within 15 minutes, and move at a speed of 40km/h. In general, when you are in an unsafe area, you need to pay attention to signs of a thunderstorm such as dark clouds, cold air, and wind.

Signs of a storm (dark clouds, cold wind...). Photo: Internet

2. Practice the look-listen rule

When lightning occurs, we first see a flash of lightning and then a clap of thunder. If you calculate the time between the flash of lightning and the clap of thunder, you can determine the distance to where the lightning occurred.

Divide the number of seconds by 3 to get the distance to the lightning. For example, if you count 3 seconds, the lightning is 3/3 = 1km away from your position. Remember that if the time you count from seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, then you are already in the lightning's sights and must be careful.

If this time is less than 20 seconds, you must move to a safer place. When you hear the first thunder, no matter what, you must see that danger is coming. Lightning can strike up to 15-20km away from the place where it is raining.

3. Avoid lightning in the house

When a thunderstorm is about to strike, the best way to avoid lightning is to go home. The safest place to avoid lightning is a building or office with a lightning protection system (the simplest is a Franklin lightning rod). When indoors, stay away from windows, doors, electrical appliances, avoid damp places such as bathrooms, water tanks, faucets, and do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary.

Electrical appliances should be unplugged before a storm is imminent. Telephone lines or power lines, because they are connected to the outside grid, are very likely to be affected by lightning. You should stay at least 1 meter away from these wires and electrical appliances. Radios connected to outdoor antennas should also be unplugged during a storm.

4. Avoid lightning strikes outdoors

In case you cannot find a safe hiding place in time, absolutely do not use trees as shelter from the rain, avoid higher areas around, stay away from metal objects such as bicycles, machines, iron fences...

Find a dry place, if there are taller trees around then find a low place, find a location where the trees are low.

The person should be as low as possible, arms around the neck. The person's contact with the ground should be minimal. Tiptoe, do not lie on the ground.

Stay away from tall objects and away from water bodies such as beaches, ponds, lakes, and ditches. Mountain tops and high slopes are also dangerous. If you are in the forest, look for areas with shorter, sparser trees to avoid.

Do not stand in groups of people close together. If you feel your hair stand on end (like the electric feeling when touching your hand in front of a television), it means that lightning could strike at any moment. Immediately crouch down and sit down.

Sitting position to avoid being struck by lightning. Photo: Internet

For objects with metal surfaces such as buses, trains, cars, ... if you do not stick your body out and do not touch the cover, these places are safe. On the contrary, for cars and ships that are exposed or do not have a metal cover, it is dangerous.

After hearing thunder for 30 minutes, you can return to work as usual.

How to rescue someone struck by lightning

In addition to causing burns, lightning can cause damage to the nervous system, broken bones, loss of hearing, vision, or memory. People struck by lightning need immediate help.

First aiders need to be courageous and act quickly and neatly to ensure safety not only for the victim but also for themselves.

If the victim is struck by lightning and has signs of cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest, perform CPR and artificial heart support immediately. Find the fractures and fix the bones firmly before moving the patient to avoid shock. However, be especially careful and do not move the victim if you suspect a spinal fracture.

Leave the burned areas dry, do not touch, apply leaves and grease according to folk experience on the burn and find the fastest way to get medical staff. If the victim has a piece of clothing or shoes burned by lightning, quickly separate the fabric from the wound to cool it down, remove watches, jewelry, and hard objects pressed against the wound to avoid swelling. Note: Do not give water or food if the victim is vomiting or is unconscious or has trauma.

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