When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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)."

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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

HB

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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:

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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!

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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!

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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

"Stupid is as stupid does!"

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

:agree: :agree:

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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.=!!!!!!

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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!

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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.

Re: When Lightning Strikes People..
 

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..