Her hairs standing up is a very bad sign. It can mean there is about to be an upward lightning bolt from her head to the clouds. Not good, not good.
I’m not sure about the current (no pun intended) recommendation to crouch on the balls of the feet as shown here. The supposed reason is to minimize the amount of the body exposed to a nearby lightning strike that disperses over the surface of the ground. But I think that posture leaves your head too high and too tempting a target. I think maybe a fetal position on the side opposite your dominant hand might be safer.
But my personal plan is to stay indoors watching the Weather Channel.
And it’s a bad idea to walk a ridge-line on the Appalachian Trail carrying an aluminum hiking staff during a thunder storm like I did. Nothing happened, just ill advised.
I’m trying to figure out why Bill would post tips for a safe summer when fall is almost here. Very untypical. Usually, both here and in Tank, he is very on top of what season it is…at least, sports-wise.
doesn’t work. our town had a mother and two little (age 3ish) kids severely injured by lightning strike just this week. it was literally a “bolt from the blue” as there had been no thunder or rain prior to the strike. mother was obviously taller, but the kids got hit anyway. i heard on the radio that she is out of hospital, but the kids are still in intensive care. spare them a thought if you can.
pschearer Premium Member about 15 years ago
Her hairs standing up is a very bad sign. It can mean there is about to be an upward lightning bolt from her head to the clouds. Not good, not good.
I’m not sure about the current (no pun intended) recommendation to crouch on the balls of the feet as shown here. The supposed reason is to minimize the amount of the body exposed to a nearby lightning strike that disperses over the surface of the ground. But I think that posture leaves your head too high and too tempting a target. I think maybe a fetal position on the side opposite your dominant hand might be safer.
But my personal plan is to stay indoors watching the Weather Channel.
Charles Brobst Premium Member about 15 years ago
And it’s a bad idea to walk a ridge-line on the Appalachian Trail carrying an aluminum hiking staff during a thunder storm like I did. Nothing happened, just ill advised.
McGehee about 15 years ago
Last I saw (on TWC), the balls-of-your-feet stance was still recommended – though they also said to keep your head down, which Edith isn’t doing.
And I too hope the hair standing on end is only fright, not prelude to a staccato positive-charge strike. Those are the deadliest kind.
conean about 15 years ago
I’m trying to figure out why Bill would post tips for a safe summer when fall is almost here. Very untypical. Usually, both here and in Tank, he is very on top of what season it is…at least, sports-wise.
Redkaycei about 15 years ago
Maybe because its the calender middle of summer? Fall is 6 weeks away.
bald about 15 years ago
just stand next to your bigger sibling, then he [or she] can take the hit instead of you!
yyyguy about 15 years ago
doesn’t work. our town had a mother and two little (age 3ish) kids severely injured by lightning strike just this week. it was literally a “bolt from the blue” as there had been no thunder or rain prior to the strike. mother was obviously taller, but the kids got hit anyway. i heard on the radio that she is out of hospital, but the kids are still in intensive care. spare them a thought if you can.
4deerinmyyard about 15 years ago
Wow. My prayers go out to Kyus Caines and the other little boy. What a horrifying thing.