Lightning
BY Mike M. (Senior)
Lightning is formed by accumulation of electricity in the atmosphere. The electricity is caused by the formation within the storm of positively charged cloud droplets, ice crystals, rain, and hail. The positive charges are in the upper part of the cloud, while the bottom part remains negative. The charges can build to millions or hundreds of millions of volts before discharging from the cloud to the ground or another cloud. We see a single stroke, but it actually occurs in several strokes which together last about 1/10 of a second. The electrical discharge of lightning heats the air causing the air to expand explosively and produce thunder.
Lightning Hazards:
The sudden high temperature, high pressure or strong electrical currents, produce lightning that is hazardous. Lightning kills or injures by burning, shock, or both. Lightning caused 80 deaths in the U.S. between 1959 and 1993. It caused 175 injuries during this time. If people do not take the proper precautions, more and more will be killed or badly injured.
Lightning Safety Rules: When Lightning Threatens
 | 1. Stay indoors, and don't venture outside, unless absolutely necessary. |
| 2. Stay away from open doors and windows, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks, and plug-in electrical appliances. |
| 3. Don't use the telephone during the storm--lightning may strike telephone lines outside. |
| 4. Stay in your automobile if you are traveling. Automobiles offer excellent lightning protection. |
| 5. When there is no shelter, avoid the highest object in the area. If only isolated trees are nearby, your best protection is to crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from the isolated trees as the trees are high. |
| 6. Avoid hill tops, open spaces, wire fences, metal clothes lines, exposed sheds, and any electrically conductive elevated objects. |
Persons struck by lightning receive a severe electrical shock and may by burned, but they carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. A person "killed" by lightning can often be revived by prompt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, cardiac massage, and prolonged artificial respiration. In a group struck by lightning, the apparently dead should be treated first; those who show vital signs will probably recover spontaneously, although burns and other injuries may require treatment. Recovery from lightning strikes is usually complete except for possible impairment or loss of sight or hearing.
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