When Lightning Strikes

Camping is a time of fun and relaxation; but there are certain safety precautions that you need to take with you on any camping trip. Even in the middle of summer, thunder storms bring the threat of lightening; and lightning, while beautiful and exciting, is quite dangerous to the camper or hiker. The National Weather Service statistics state that on average more than 70 people in the US die from lightning strikes each year, while at least 300 are struck and survive. Learn what to do in the event of lightening and you will stay safer, and be able to keep others safe as well.

· If you are hiking on a hillside or mountaintop or even a ridgeline, get to lower ground as quickly and safely as possible.

· Avoid open areas as well as shallow areas such as under an overhang. If you are the only thing in a wide open space, you are a target.

· Move away or avoid tall, stand-alone objects like a post or a tall tree. Lightning has a way of finding such objects.

· When there is lightning, you want to be away from water and metal. It’s always safe to leave your camping supplies behind especially if it contains metal or water. These materials act as a conductor for electricity.

· If you are in a group when a thunderstorm hits, the best thing to do is separate yourselves. One large group huddled together is more dangerous in the long run. Keep about 30 feet distance between one another.

· Seek shelter in a building if possible. In a campground, this may be the bathroom. While the shelter may not be the very best in terms of comfort, it is the very best in terms of safety.

· If there are no buildings to go for shelter, you can retreat to your car or to your tent. Do not touch any metal!

· If you seek shelter in your tent, squat down onto your sleeping pad. You want a buffer between you and the ground.

· Do NOT seek shelter under a picnic table or in a dwelling like a gazebo.

· The best place to go if you are on a hike or away from any buildings is to a low lying group of trees that are all about the same height.

A thunderstorm can be a fascinating thing to experience while camping; but you need to know how to stay safe in the event you do encounter one. Given the statistics, the instances of lightning strikes are relatively low; so don’t forego the camping trip altogether. Instead, be aware of the rules of safety and know what to do. Even if you have prepared with all the complete camping supplies, heading out to nature with safety precautions in place is the best way to travel.