Lightning Safety Tips

[SpudRider]

In the following video, an XR650L rider is hit by lightning as he repairs his bike in the rain. A word of warning, this video does contain a few expletives. :grr:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IJI45tYwWU

The following video and the PDF file linked below provide excellent information which can save your life during a lightning storm.

http://www.nols.edu/nolspro/pdf/Lightning_Gookin_WRMC2010printmaster.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bya6n0H6iH8

Because of ground current, it's best to avoid trees during lightning storms. The closer you are to a lightning strike, the greater the ground current. Don't lie down, as it increases the voltage potential difference across your body. Crouch down, keep your feet close together, and follow the other advice given above.

If you are out on the water, the ground current is still dangerous. :wtf:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ88efj8Jno

As the motorcyclist in the first video should learn, don't touch metal during a lightning storm. If you are inside your home, stay off the wired telephone, and don't operate your computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uViPSvouzU

[zingshoen]

thanks, spud, very good info in that pdf. i was riding home in a thunderstorm a few weeks ago and it wasn t funny, i won t do that again.

[SpudRider]

You're welcome. :)

[Weldangrind]

I witnessed a strike on a short pole-mounted transformer from just a few feet away, but I was safely seated in a car with the engine off. It was amazing!

[FastDoc]

If I survived a lightning strike there would be explicatives.

As a lifeguard, at about age 20, lightning hit a tall metal fence about 50 yards from my post. A girl sitting on a blanket close to it was electrocuted. Her heart stopped. I was able to resuscitate her easily and she was fine.

The big mistake I made was not moving her before resuscitation, and lighting often strikes twice.

[SpudRider]

If you haven't read the PDF file I linked in my first post, I strongly encourage you to do so ;) One needs to stay away from metal fences during a lightning storm, since the fence will transmit the high voltage over long distances, extending the ground shock range. :ohno: The PDF file contains this photograph of Idaho cows which were killed when they huddled near a fence line which was struck by lightning.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Lightning%20Information/Idahocowsnearfence_zps5db28c8c.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Lightning%20Information/Idahocowsnearfence_zps5db28c8c.jpg.html)

[edtardo]

A few years ago, a guy was struck by lightning at the beach. He was in the middle of a crowd and the thunder storm was 3 miles off shore. When I was a kid there was a person struck by lightning while in the house across from a window. I have also heard stories on the news about people being struck while on the cell phone. I have come to realize that if you are going to be struck, it will happen no matter what you do.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the great link, Ed. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLWIBrweSU8

[edtardo]

RLWIBrweSU8

[edtardo]

Thanks for posting the great link, Ed. :)

you beat me to it. I had to google how to embed the link lol

[SpudRider]

A few years ago, a guy was struck by lightning at the beach. He was in the middle of a crowd and the thunder storm was 3 miles off shore. When I was a kid there was a person struck by lightning while in the house across from a window. I have also heard stories on the news about people being struck while on the cell phone. I have come to realize that if you are going to be struck, it will happen no matter what you do.

I understand what you mean, but one can definitely take measures to protect himself once he understands the dangers. ;) That's why I started this thread. :)

[edtardo]

I agree with you Spud. If one can take steps to prevent it, one should. I don't think it would be fun to be struck by lightning. I stay out of the shower when a storm hits.

[SpudRider]

Good for you, Ed. :) I found another informative video regarding lightning safety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVSCD1mdzY0

[FastDoc]

On the other hand, one has to admit a nice lightning strike would be a good way off this fallen planet...

[SpudRider]

There certainly are worse ways to go. ;) We are all under a death sentence the day we are born. :ohno: Only a select few will never taste death.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

1 Corinthians 51-52

[FastDoc]

I don't expect we will be here for the really bad stuff, although some unsaved sinners will have unlimited use of all our abandoned motorcycles.

[SpudRider]

I agree. We certainly might see some hard times, but "we are not appointed to wrath." Thank you, Lord Jesus. :D

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:9

We won't need motorcycles where we are going. I hope the unsaved can put them to good use; they are going to experience terrible times during the Great Tribulation. :ohno:

[Weldangrind]

What? I fully expect there to be bikes in Heaven!

:D

[FastDoc]

I hope so. I am also hoping for airplanes and cats.

[Weldangrind]

Of course cats will be there. That's what makes it Heaven for dogs.

[FastDoc]

Lol!

[katoranger]

Not something I ever wish to see again.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/06/27/lightning-strike-kills-three/

[SpudRider]

Not something I ever wish to see again.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/06/27/lightning-strike-kills-three/

That's a sad story. :ohno: It's best to get inside your home or your vehicle when a lightning storm is in the area.