When Lightning Strikes People..

[Donna]

Most Typical Disorders Associated with Lightning Strikes


(from "Lightning Injuries to Humans in France" by Dr. Elisabeth Gourbière of the Electricité de France, Service des Etudes Médicales)


Lightning deaths (~20%)
-Asystole/Ventricular fibrillation
-Inhibition of brainstem respiratory centers
-Multi-system failure (delayed death)

Cardio-pulmonary injuries
-Arrhythmias - Arterial pressure changes
-Electrocardiographic changes
-Myocardial damages (infarction)
-Cardiac dysfunction
-Pulmonary edema - Respiratory distress syndrome

Neurologic/psychiatric injuries
-Loss of consciousness/coma
-Amnesia/Anxiety/Confusion/Aphasia/Seizures
-Electroencephalographic abnormalities
-Brain/Cerebellum damages
-Numbness/Weakness in limbs/Partial or complete (but temporary) paralysis
-Neuropathy/Pain syndromes
-Spinal cord injury/Parkinsonism
-Sleep and memory disorders/Concentration
disturbances/Irritability/Depression/Various other disturbances such as headaches, tiring easily, lightning storm phobia, etc.
-Post traumatic Stress Disorder

Burns and Cutaneous marking
-Small, deep entry/exit points (typical)
-Contact, metal chain heating (typical)
-Superficial linear
-Flash
-Lichtenberg figures (arborescent, fern-like markings):pathognomonic(on trunk, arms, shoulders)

Clothing, shoes
-Exploded off, torn off, shredded, singed…

Blunt traumas (explosion)
-Contusion, internal hemorrhage (brain, lungs, liver, intestine…)
-(rarely) Fractures (skull, cervical spinal column, extremities…)

Auditory and ocular injuries
-Tympanic membrane ruptured (typical)
-Deafness/Tinnitus/Vertigo
-Transient blindness/Photophobia-Conjunctivitis - Corneal damage
-Retinal abnormalities (macular hole) - optic neuritis
-Cataract

"Lightning injuries are varied and take many different forms. The most dangerous (and possibly fatal) immediate complications are cardiovascular and neurologic. It must be kept in mind that only immediate and effective cardiorespiratory resuscitation (started by rescuers), followed as soon as possible by emergency medical treatment, can save victims who are in cardiopulmonary arrest, or avert the serious consequences of cerebral hypoxia. Some victims remain in a coma despite intensive resuscitation and die of secondary causes including hemorrhages and multiple lesions (encephalic, cardiac, pulmonary, intra-abdominal)."

[Donna]

http://sky-fire.tv/index.cgi/lightning.html

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Donna thanks for posting this site. They give answers to questions I never thought of.

HB

[Donna]

I don't think there can be enough information posted, especially when so many people take lightning so lightly..

Another great source for information..

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic299.htm

[islandgal]

Wow, Donna
Thanks so much.
I am often amazed by people who seem to treat lightening lightly.
It's nice having a paramedic on board.... :bigthumbsup:

[Russ_Boston]

Where are these people that take lightning lightly? I run for cover!

Any golfer with experience will have horror stories about being at the farthest point on the course when a lightning storm hits and how much terror there was running back to the club house. First indication of lightning and I'm off!

[Donna]

Russ..

The other day I was at the pool, the thunder sounded like is was very close..The majority of peeps, got out of the pool, there were a few that stayed in..

As a Medic, I have seen a few people struck by lightning, not many, but they too, took it lightly remaining on a golf course during a thunder storm!

That is where the people were, that took it lightly!

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Not to sure if this is a good reason not to learn how to play golf or get a super charged golf cart that goes over the speed limit.

When I was perusing the sites I did not notice anything about riding in an electric golf cart when there is a lightening storm.

I find I am so attracted to lightening storms - even sheet lightening and yet this thing of beauty can kill people.

HB

[Russ_Boston]

Then I won't feel too bad when they get hit. Like Forrest said:

"Stupid is as stupid does!"

[Donna]

Then I won't feel too bad when they get hit. Like Forrest said:

"Stupid is as stupid does!"



:agree: :agree:

[islandgal]

Maybe I am overly cautious, but when we have the lightening (like I have never seen so frequently before!) and thunder storms, I turn off my TV's and computer and close all windows if they are open.

I was having dinner here in TV Friday night with friends when that terrible storm hit. Throughout the storm, , my hosts left two TV's going, their computer was on, they left their sliders open and continued to use their oven. I did suggest they turn off the TV's and computer but to no avail.

I was quietly losing it with fear.=!!!!!!

[Mikitv]

Great Post Donna, thank you for so much information. That was a great web site thank you for posting that also. I live with lots of lightening strikes here in Arkansas and have a healthy respect for its destructive power and it's beauty.

Mikark

[Russ_Boston]

I don't think that turning off the tv or oven really has much effect. It is still plugged in. If you don't unplug them (and I wouldn't go near the plug during a storm) you might as well leave them on if you want. I imagine that surge protectors could help but probably not in a direct strike. I think they are more for surges in the line voltage. I don't think there is any more danger to your person through a tv or other appliance as long as you are not touching them of course!

[islandgal]

Russ - I have the surge protection program offered by the electric company that Sidney referred to in another post. However, I am now considering lightening rods after seeing the Poinciana home after the fire.

[Donna]

My cousin has surge protectors, in the Pocono's, Pa., the last storm, her house took a direct hit, and everything that was plugged in was fried!

They are very lucky the house didn't catch fire..My Uncle has lightning rods and the house is in the woods, it is over 100 years old, and never had any damage due to lightning..
Thank God!

After seeing this fire, I too am going to invest in lightning rods..

[Sidney Lanier]

Donna, thanks for posting this--what incredibly useful information! And that website handles this very serious subject with lightness and humor, making it that much easier to absorb a lot of good points. And for those who, like the people in the swimming pool, insist on putting themselves in harm's way, I can only think of the annual Darwin Awards (people who through their own stupidity and pigheadedness are 'safely' removed from the gene pool--no pun intended...), except it may not apply to us old coots in TV....

[uujudy]

Along these lines, what about flagpoles? Would a flagpole in the front yard attract lightning? :dontknow:

[Donna]

Interesting ....

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/weather_thunder.shtml

[nONIE]

Along these lines, what about flagpoles? Would a flagpole in the front yard attract lightning? :dontknow:


uujudy,

Just received word from a reliable source, Your flagpole would make an excellent lightening rod if it is any type of metal.

[Donna]

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lls/fatalities_us.html

[Donna]

Avoid being in or near high places (tanks / towers / stacks) or open fields or under isolated trees, under communication towers, flagpoles, metal fences..

Lightning Safety
The ‘30/30' rule for lightning safety could save your life. The first ‘30' means that you need to
take cover if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of the lightning flash (‘flash to bang’ ratio).

Then wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder in order to resume
normal activity - the “all clear” signal. Lightning research has confirmed that consecutive
lightning strikes can occur as much as six miles apart. People often do not perceive lightning
to be close if it is two miles or more away, but the risk of the next strike being at your location
may actually be very high. Many lightning casualties occur in the beginning as a
thunderstormapproaches because people ignore these precursors. When thunderstorms are
in the area but not overhead, the lightning threat can exist even if it is sunny at your location.

Practice the ‘30/30' rule and be lightning safe !
If you are outside, get into an enclosed building;
large, substantially constructed buildings
tend to be much safer than smaller or open
structures, or in an all-metal (not
convertible) vehicle.

In general, fully enclosed, all metal vehicles with
the windows rolled up provide good shelter
fromlightning. Avoid contact with metal.
Inside a home, avoid using the telephone except
for emergencies. Also, stay away from
windows.

AVOID being in or near high places and open
fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos,
rain or picnic shelters, baseball dugouts,
towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers of
any type, metal fences, convertible
vehicles, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters,
riding lawn mowers, or water (ocean, lakes,
swimming pools, rivers, ponds, etc.).
Move away from open water or fromopen
tractors or other farmequipment.
Stay away fromwire fences, clotheslines, metal
pipes, rails or other metallic paths which
could carry lightning from some distance
away.

In a forest seek shelter in a low area under a
thick growth of small trees. In open areas,
go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.
Be alert for flash floods.
If you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may
be about to strike. Stay on the balls of your
feet but crouch down and make as low a
target of yourself as possible. Do not lie
flat on the ground.

Remember, there is no truth to the old myth that
"lightning never strikes twice.”

[uujudy]

Thank You! :bigthumbsup:
What a wonderful wealth of weather wisdom!
This is very valuable information!