Although I don’t live in an area where lightning is a huge concern over the years I have had a number of close encounters which have led me to develop a healthy respect for the power of the storms. With an increasing ability to travel to pursue our hobby, there is the potential for us to be exposed more frequently to lightning storms and it is important that we are educated about appropriate action.

Signs of an approaching storm!

About 15 years ago I had paddled the Durance River in the French Alps and we were about to cross the small lake at Embrun when there was a sudden blinding light, an explosive noise and a strange sensation permeated our bodies. Our immediate response was to jump out of the kayaks, looking across the lake all the wind surfers had been blown off their boards but more frightening was the fact that the two people standing nearest to us, about 3 metres away, had been killed. It clearly demonstrated the randomness of the strikes but what was worrying was that there had been no prior warning. The American Meteorological Society says that there about 100 fatalities a year from lightning strikes and 40 % of the deaths and injuries in Florida occur to boaters and other water users. Clearly kayakers fall into the high risk category!

A few months later I was abseiling with a group of young people when I noticed that the hair of one of the girls was standing above her climbing helmet. A clear indication of an imminent strike. Luckily we were very close to a mini bus, we ditched the ropes and ran for shelter in the bus, just in time as we watched a blue flash disappear over the edge. With education, it is possible to reduce the risk to which we are exposed. In the United Sates the highest frequency of strikes on people is in the month of July between 12.00 noon and 6. 00 p.m., it actually peaks at 4.00 p.m. on a Sunday. This equates to when most people are likely to be outside, therefore it follows if we are out kayaking we fall into a high risk category.

On another occasion we were coming into land at Los Angeles Airport, when the aircraft entered some dense cumulo-nimbus clouds. There was a considerable amount of turbulence but the most worrying aspect was the blue flash which travelled through the cabin. The pilot came on the radio to say that the aircraft had been struck by lightning but everything was safe. In the United States the statistics show that every aircraft will be struck by lightning at least once a year but it has been over 40 years since an aircraft crashed in the US due to lightning strike. The chances are therefore, that you will survive and this is the same if you are caught in the open - 80% of people struck by lightning survive, but they will need immediate first aid. So it is not just a matter of knowing how to avoid being struck but also what to do in the event of an incident. Planning is essential.

My final lightning story occurred when camping on a small island in the Ionian Sea. As we settled down for the night a huge storm developed and drifted towards our island home. There was nowhere to shelter and as we lay cowering in our tent, all hell was let loose around us. I decided that it was time to find out more about lightening storms and so the seeds were sown for this article. The storm raged for about 4 hours and at one point there appeared to be a flash of lightning every 3 or 4 seconds. Around the world there are about 2,000 thunderstorms at any one time and there are about 100 ground strikes per second. In the continental United States there are about 25,000,000 ground strikes a year! It is not as rare as many of us perhaps think.

What is clear is that the more time we spend out of doors, particularly in warmer climates; the more likely we are to encounter thunder storms. To ensure our safety there are a number precautions that we can take. Firstly, listen to the weather forecast, and if storms are forecast then change your plans. As we have seen most storms occur in the afternoon therefore plan your paddles for the morning or make sure that it is easy to get off the water and find shelter.

Essentially as soon as you hear thunder you are no longer safe. If you think that conditions might lead to storms watch for the tell tale signs. This includes the development of well defined and rising cumulus clouds. Once cumulo-nimbus clouds are in evidence you should be heading for a place of safety. Lightning has been known to strike individuals who were 10 miles away from the storm centre in an area of blue skies. Evidence from Florida suggests that most deaths from lightning strikes occur on the edges of storms or in relatively weak storms. This may be because individuals do not consider the risk from these storms as great as from larger ones therefore do not seek shelter as readily, with a consequence that they are exposed to greater risk.

If a storm is approaching it is essential to leave the water and to seek shelter in a sturdy building. Ideally the building should have plumbing and electrical wiring as this will enable the lightning to pass through the building. Small huts or shelters such as are found on sports fields are essentially useless. Keep well away from any electrical appliances, and it is advisable to disconnect them. Also, stay away from windows. If no building is available then the next best shelter is inside a car. Clearly it should have a metal roof, convertibles are no good. Close all the windows, lean away from the doors with your hands on your lap and don’t touch the steering wheel, ignition key etc.

Be aware of the “30-30” rule. If the time between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder is less than 30 seconds then you should be heading for a place of safety as a matter of urgency. Thunder produced by lightning travels 1 mile every 5 seconds so if the delay is 30 seconds then the storm is within 6 miles. You should then remain there for 30 minutes after hearing your last peel of thunder before leaving.

Clearly though, due to the nature of sea kayaking, we don’t always have buildings and/or cars close at hand and the time will arise when a storm occurs and you find yourself in the open. This is not an ideal situation to find yourself in, but there are things you can do to help protect yourself.

Avoid high ground

Stay away from solitary trees, don’t shelter underneath trees to avoid the rain. Just get wet!

Avoid metallic objects. Tent poles, fishing rods etc

Look for ditches or low ground.

Try to find a group of trees or shrubs of uniform height.

Avoid open spaces if possible.

If all else fails, then the final thing that you can do is adopt a low crouching position. Have your feet together and cover your ears with your hands to help minimize the acoustic shock from the thunder. If you are in group, you should be between 5 and 6 metres apart. Clearly this is a last ditch effort at protection so in this situation be prepared for the consequences of a lightning strike. Be ready for CPR etc and remember that most people struck by lightning do survive.

Position to adopt if caught in the open.

There are numerous web sites devoted to safety in thunder storms and I would recommend that you take a look at a few. This is an important issue and the appropriate knowledge could literally save your life.

Kevin Mansell

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