Lightning Safety Tips

SpudRider · 12-23-2013, 02:24 AM

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.

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/Ligh...rintmaster.pdf

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.

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.

zingshoen · 12-23-2013, 03:58 AM

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 · 12-23-2013, 04:00 AM

You're welcome.

Weldangrind · 12-23-2013, 11:13 AM

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 · 12-23-2013, 11:20 AM

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 · 12-23-2013, 07:54 PM

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.

The PDF file contains this photograph of Idaho cows which were killed when they huddled near a fence line which was struck by lightning.

edtardo · 12-23-2013, 08:12 PM

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 · 12-23-2013, 08:50 PM

Thanks for posting the great link, Ed.

edtardo · 12-23-2013, 08:50 PM

[youtube]RLWIBrweSU8[/youtube]

edtardo · 12-23-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Thanks for posting the great link, Ed.

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

SpudRider · 12-23-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 12-23-2013, 08:59 PM

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 · 12-23-2013, 09:15 PM

Good for you, Ed.

I found another informative video regarding lightning safety.

FastDoc · 12-23-2013, 10:03 PM

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

SpudRider · 12-23-2013, 10:13 PM

There certainly are worse ways to go.

We are all under a death sentence the day we are born.

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

12-23-2013, 02:24 AM	#1
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Lightning Safety Tips 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. 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/Ligh...rintmaster.pdf 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. 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. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

12-23-2013, 03:58 AM	#2
zingshoen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 648	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. __________________ 1971 Garelli Gulp 50cc with open ports and 16 mm Bing Carbie + 1980 Honda XL 223 ZS + 2007 Zongshen LZX200G + DR400SM
	0

12-23-2013, 04:00 AM	#3
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	You're welcome. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

12-23-2013, 11:13 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	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! __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

12-23-2013, 11:20 AM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	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. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-23-2013, 07:54 PM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	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. The PDF file contains this photograph of Idaho cows which were killed when they huddled near a fence line which was struck by lightning. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

12-23-2013, 08:12 PM	#7
edtardo Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, Fl Posts: 158	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. __________________ NewStar DB 200 Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer Simpson
	0

12-23-2013, 08:50 PM	#8
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for posting the great link, Ed. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

12-23-2013, 08:50 PM	#9
edtardo Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, Fl Posts: 158	[youtube]RLWIBrweSU8[/youtube] __________________ NewStar DB 200 Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer Simpson
	0

12-23-2013, 08:59 PM	#12
edtardo Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, Fl Posts: 158	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. __________________ NewStar DB 200 Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer Simpson
	0

12-23-2013, 09:15 PM	#13
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Good for you, Ed. I found another informative video regarding lightning safety. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

12-23-2013, 10:03 PM	#14
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	On the other hand, one has to admit a nice lightning strike would be a good way off this fallen planet... __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-23-2013, 10:13 PM	#15
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	There certainly are worse ways to go. We are all under a death sentence the day we are born. 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 __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0