It’s a warm summer evening
and you’re enjoying a barbeque
with your family and friends.
The sunny skies suddenly
turn dark as a storm blows in.
You hear thunder and know
that lightning is on its way.
There are five different ways
you can get hit by lightning.
A direct strike is what people
usually think of first.
It’s definitely the most dramatic
and deadliest of strikes
since it can travel through your nervous
and cardiovascular systems.
But it’s far from the most common.
The most common strikes are
ground currents.
These ripple through larger areas
and are the leading cause of
lightning related injury and death.
Anything metal, like plumbing or faucets,
are highways for lightning.
Conduction happens when you’re in contact
with any of these easy access points,
which sometimes
even includes doors and windows.
And then there are side flashes.
These happen when lightning bounces off
something like a tree or telephone pole.
That flash of current will hit
anyone near these tall objects.
The final way to get hit by lightning
is through streamers.
These energy bursts
happen when the atmosphere
becomes charged with electricity.
Streamers move upwards from objects,
and people, close to the ground.
You have a 90% chance of survival
if you are hit by lightning.
But you’ll still face painful injuries.
Deafness, burns, brain injuries,
memory loss, nerve damage,
and seizures are just a few of the
lasting issues that could plague you.
Lightning doesn’t just strike when a
thunderstorm is above your head.
It may still be a clear day.
Lighting can happen as far as
16 kilometers (10 miles) away
from the thunderstorm.
So pay attention to signs
that lightning is in the air.
If your skin starts to tingle
or if the hair on your arms start to rise,
that’s a sure sign of electricity.
And if you hear thunder or a clicking noise,
that’s another sign to get somewhere safe.
Seeing as most people don’t carry around
a suit of armor or a Faraday suit,
a car is your best bet.
Make sure the windows are closed
and don’t touch anything metal.
Lightning will travel through the metal of
car and into the ground,
passing by you harmlessly.
If you can’t shelter in a car,
then it’s good to know what to avoid.
Do not shelter under anything that's
not enclosed,
like a golf cart or gazebo.
Avoid open areas, especially hills.
Stay away from any body of water.
Pools, rivers, lakes,
get away from them all.
If you’re on a boat,
well, I’m sorry.
"Lightning's only dangerous if
you're on a boat."
Hiding under a cave entrance
or other overhang seems smart.
But in reality,
you will be acting as a conductor
and lighting will seek you out.
Shrink your physical footprint
as small as possible by crouching down
and placing your head between your knees,
similar to a tight ball.
Cover your ears with your hands
to prevent any hearing loss.
Your head acts as the entry point
for lighting,
which travels through you and out your feet.
The smaller you make that distance,
the better your chance at surviving
with minimal injuries.
If you have a backpack or a foam mat,
hop on that.
According to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration,
you have a 1 in 3,000 chance
of being hit by lighting in your lifetime.
So remember the helpful motto,
“When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.”
That way you can safely watch
the beautiful lighting storm on your couch,
just don’t touch the windows.
But you should still be
prepared for any circumstance,
like if lighting struck your house
and started a fire.
It's a good thing we have more videos
to weather various hazardous conditions.
Check them out on How to Survive.