Difference between revisions of "Lightning safety"

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*  Err on the side of caution - retreat back to campus if in your judgment the conditions are becoming dangerous. Better to do less fieldwork than have a serious injury.
 
*  Err on the side of caution - retreat back to campus if in your judgment the conditions are becoming dangerous. Better to do less fieldwork than have a serious injury.
 
* If you can't leave your field site, try to stay in safer areas - avoid ridgelines, don't hide under lone trees, and spread out your group. If you are in a forested area don't stand directly under a tree, even if it is raining.
 
* If you can't leave your field site, try to stay in safer areas - avoid ridgelines, don't hide under lone trees, and spread out your group. If you are in a forested area don't stand directly under a tree, even if it is raining.
* Have group members crouch down with as little contact to the ground as possible, and *keep their feet together* - up to half of all lightning fatalities are from ground current.
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* Have group members crouch down with as little contact to the ground as possible, and '''keep their feet together''' - up to half of all lightning fatalities are from ground current.
  
 
'''More information'''
 
'''More information'''
[[File:Lightning safety.pdf]]
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Lightning safety paper from NOLS: [[File:Lightning safety.pdf]]
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/resources/backcountry_lightning.pdf
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Lightning safety pamphlet from NOAA: [http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/resources/backcountry_lightning.pdf]
  
Blog post on "lightning position:" https://biodiversitytheblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/what-is-lightning-position-anyway/
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Blog post on "lightning position:" [https://biodiversitytheblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/what-is-lightning-position-anyway/]

Revision as of 15:54, 23 September 2015

  • If you hear thunder, call in to base if possible and get an updated forecast and make an exit plan
  • Err on the side of caution - retreat back to campus if in your judgment the conditions are becoming dangerous. Better to do less fieldwork than have a serious injury.
  • If you can't leave your field site, try to stay in safer areas - avoid ridgelines, don't hide under lone trees, and spread out your group. If you are in a forested area don't stand directly under a tree, even if it is raining.
  • Have group members crouch down with as little contact to the ground as possible, and keep their feet together - up to half of all lightning fatalities are from ground current.

More information Lightning safety paper from NOLS: File:Lightning safety.pdf Lightning safety pamphlet from NOAA: [1]

Blog post on "lightning position:" [2]