Beach danger number 4: Lightning

May 19, 1:00 PMWorld Beach ExaminerBarbra Stuter

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Think you are safe under that beach palapa?

I know you are probably tired of my statistics, but you are getting one anyway.  The odds of you being struck by lightning this year are 1 in 700,000 and for those of you rolling your eyes and keeping track, those are the same odds as being struck by a meteor.  However, if you are hanging out on the beach, watching that beautiful light show that is the afternoon thunderstorm rolling in from the sea or coming down the beach towards you, your odds are going to be significantly worse.  I cannot think of many other places that are more exposed and that leave you more vulnerable to being struck by lightning than a beach. Lightning debuts at number four on our top 5 beach dangers list, but with a little common sense and attention to your environment, is also one that is largely preventable.  I have gathered this information from many sources, but mainly from the National Weather Service; who are also sponsors of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, running from June 21 – 27 this year (2009 for you time travelers).  There is also some great information about where lightning comes from and how it forms on the "How Stuff Works"  website. 

Here are some tips on how to avoid being one of the aformentioned statistics.  This advice should be heeded when the first raindrops hit your beach chair and certainly when you hear the first rumblings of thunder off in the distance. 

• If you are boating or swimming, get to land or off the beach immediately.  Water is an excellent conductor of electricity and the charge associated with a lightning strike can travel for miles.
• If possible, take shelter in an enclosed building.  Avoid open gazebos, picnic shelters and other structures that are in open areas. 
• If you are not able to make it to a reinforced building, take shelter in a hard topped vehicle with the windows closed.  You may get struck but you will be much better off inside the vehicle than outside. 
• If there are woods nearby and you can’t find shelter, find an area with a low clump of trees.  I know it sounds like common sense, but never stand under a large tree in an open area. 
• If you are stuck without any shelter, find a low lying open space away from any trees, poles or metal.  Try to have as little contact with the ground as possible, as the charge from lighting travels a long way through the ground. Laying flat is the wrong thing to do, as this makes you a bigger target as well as more exposed to lighting travelling through the ground.  Instead, squat low to the ground (both feet on the ground if possible) and cover your head.
• Obviously tall structures like trees, towers, fences, phone lines, power line and the like are to be stayed away from.  Also stay away from any metal like bicycles, tractors and golf clubs.
• You may get an indication that lighting is about to strike you when your hair stands on end.  IMMEDIATELY make yourself as small as possible by dropping to your knees or crouching on the balls of your feet.  Do not lie flat on the ground. 

What to do if someone is struck by lightning

• You will not be shocked by a person who has been struck by lightning, they will not hold a charge. 
• Call for help.  911 or if you are near a lifeguard tower flag down a lifeguard.
• Give first aid.  If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing and if the heart has stopped give CPR (if trained)
• Check for burns and other injuries and administer appropriate first aid. 
• Of course, if you can, remove yourself and the injured person to safety.  Lighting does sometimes strike twice. Click here for survivor stories.

 Tommorow's beach danger installment is danger number 3, dehydration.