by Jerica Collins

Created on: April 13, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

Lightning can arrive and strike very quick. One theory says it is caused as raindrops fall they produce a positive charge at the top of the cloud and a negative charg at the bottom of the cloud. A lightning bolt can be 4 or 5 miles long. You can calculate the speed of the approaching storm by the time between the flash and thunderclap.Lightning flashes can reach 50,000 degrees Farenheit. There are 15 million thunderstorms a year around the world.

Lightning can kill you by direct impact, being electrocuted by being adjacent to an item that is struck, or can kill or injure by you being in the current path. Cloud to cloud lightning is most danderous for hang liders or glider piloets. Cloud to Ground lightning is fatal 30% of the time if struck by a bolt. Ground to Cloud lightning is extremely hot as you are close to the source, the ground, and if you are in its path you're pretty much dead.

When there is lightning and you are outside and can't get into a building or car make sure that you are not at a high point and not next to something tall such as a tree or flag pole (as these attract lightning. If you are in a boat or on a lake or near water try to get out of the area, if in a boat you'll want to go to land. If you can't get to land sit with arms in lap and feet together, avoid touching anything metal and sit on a jacket or something that doesn't have metal. If your floor is not metal it would be best to sit there not touching the sides.

Canyons are dangerous places to be as a flash flood can occur and you may not hear the water because of the thunder. So do not go into them and get out of one as soon as possible.

When getting out of the storm walk fast but don't run as your quick movement may cause air currents that attract an electrical strike.

If in an open area crouch low and try to insulate yourself from the ground by standing on a backpack (with no metal) or a raincoat or something of that sort. It will insulate you from the electrical current. And keep your hands off the ground especially if its humid.

Keep away from all metal including tent poles and such, you may be better off tossing all of these into an open field far from where you are at as it may attract the lightning to that area instead. And don't lean against a stone wall as it might be a conductor.If you are hiding next to a wall stay 2 or 3 meters from the wall and the wall should be 5 or 6 times your height and make sure its not the most prominant location in an open field.

Do not group together with others as this may make it more likely to attract lightning and it could kill all of you.

Hopefully these tips will help you stay safe during a lightning storm in the event you are stuck outside. If in a home just stay away from windows, shut down anything electrical (like a computer or tv), don't shower during the storm, avoid touching anything metal and you should be perfectly fine.

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