dogs & lightning HOW TO SURVIVE

[pieter pannevis]

Surviving on the meseta in a thunderstorms:

The SAS survival handbook by John Wiseman
ISBN 0-00-2171856
Gives the following advise:
"The release of electrical charges built up in the clouds can be especially
dangerous on high grounds or when you are the tallest object. In a lightning
storm keep away from tall trees and lone boulders and open water..(sic).
Make for low, level grounds and lie flat.
INSULATION::
If you cannot get away from tall objects (woods), but have DRY material
which will provide insulation sit on it. Rubber soled shoes my help
insulation but are not a guarantee that you will be safe. Do NOT sit on
anything wet. Bend your head down and hug your knees to your chest, lifting
your feet off the ground and draw in all extremities. Do not reach to the
ground with your hands, that could give a conduct to the lightning. If you
have nothing to insulate you from the ground lie as flat as you can in the
deepest part you can find.
STAY LOW:
You can sometimes sense that a lighting strike is immediate by a tingling in
the skin and de sensation of the hair standing on one end. If you're
standing up, drop to the ground AT ONCE, going first to the knees with the
hands touching the ground. If you should be strcucj, the charge may take the
easiest route to the earth, through your arms_ missing the torso and
possibly saving you from heart failure or asphyxiation. QUICKLY LIE FLAT.
 Do not hold metal objects when there is a lightning about and keep away
from metal structures and fences. However do not jettison equipment if you
will loose it all together. A dry pole may spark at the tip ( if dry), but
is well insulated. Proximity to large metal objects can be dangerous, even
without contact, for the shockwave caused by the heated air - as lightning
passes, can cause damage to your  lungs.
SHELTER:
One of the best places to shelter in a lightning storm is at least 3m (10
ft) inside a deep cave with a minimum of 1 m (4 ft) on either side of you.
Do NOT shelter in a cave or under an overhang of rock in mountains country.
The lightning can spark across the gap. Small openings in the ends of
fissures which are also drainage routes and automatic lightning channels


Addition from the US Armed Forces Survival manual:

Avoid stranding in small open sheds or isolated structures in the open area,
In a forest, seek shelter in a low area, under a thick growth of SMALL
trees. In open areas, go to a low place.
If you're hopelessly isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your
hair stand on one end that lightning is about to strike, drop to your knees
and bend forward .
People struck by lightning receive a severe electrical shock and may be
burned, but do not carry any electrical charge.

You can tell the nearness of the storm by counting from the sight of the
impact in seconds and multiplying this by 333 meters. This gives you roughly
the distance and if it's approaching or not.

As Always,
Ultreya !
Pieter and Trigo from Holland
mailto:p.pannevisachello.nl