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Currently in summer, many parts of the country have entered the peak season for thunderstorms. The public should raise awareness of lightning prevention. To avoid being "struck," we've gathered some lightning protection tips and measures to take if struck by lightning. As long as you master them correctly and stay calm, lightning is not as scary as it seems. The first thing to remember when preventing lightning strikes is that metal and water are excellent conductors. Whether outdoors or indoors, avoid contact with metal and water during thunderstorms.
Outdoors
When outdoors, stay away from open areas, large billboards, and antenna towers; do not take shelter under isolated trees, utility poles, or cranes, or use your mobile phone there; do not stand near iron fences, metal clotheslines, or railway tracks; in open areas, avoid using umbrellas with metal tips, remove metal-framed glasses, watches, belts, etc., and never carry metal objects like badminton rackets or golf clubs on your shoulders, so you don’t become a “lightning rod.”
Also, during thunderstorms, make sure to stay “low” and “small.” Do not stand on mountaintops or rooftops, avoid getting close to isolated chimneys or tall trees, do not ride bicycles or drive motorcycles, and stay away from other metal objects. Areas near rivers, lakes, ponds, or wetlands are hotspots for lightning accidents. During thunderstorms, avoid activities related to water such as fishing, boating, or swimming.
If caught in a thunderstorm, it’s best to take shelter in a building with lightning protection facilities or in a space with a metal roof or metal compartment—such as a car. A car is the best “lightning shelter.” If a car is struck by lightning, its metal frame will direct the lightning current into the ground. If none of those options are available, quickly find a low-lying area, crouch down with feet together, hug your knees with your hands, and avoid letting your arms touch the ground. Never lie flat on the ground.
Additionally, if traveling outdoors during the rainy season, it’s best to wear rubber-soled sports shoes and carry lightweight, insulated rain gear. Try not to carry metal items like keys. Avoid setting up camp on mountaintops, high ridges, or open ground. When taking shelter in a cave during a thunderstorm, try not to stay near the entrance. If caught in lightning outdoors, turn off your mobile phone as soon as possible. Do not stand near the edge of a forest, around large rocks, or walk or stand in open fields. Also, avoid crowding together or holding hands.
Methods for rescuing someone after a lightning strike
When you see lightning and hear thunder overhead, it means the lightning is very close, and that's the most dangerous time. Once struck by lightning, the human body can suffer three types of harm: First, when the powerful lightning pulse current passes through the heart, the victim may experience vascular spasms or cardiac arrest, and in severe cases, the heart may stop beating completely; second, when the lightning current damages the brain’s nerve center, it can cause the victim to stop breathing; third, when strong currents pass through the body, they can cause electrical burns or muscle lightning paralysis.
Lightning striking and injuring people happens frequently. Those who are struck often experience cardiac arrest and cessation of breathing, which could be a lightning-induced “apparent death.” Immediate on-site rescue is essential. The shorter the time between the “apparent death” and the start of resuscitation, the higher the chance of revival. Some believe that a person struck by lightning still has electricity in their body and are afraid to touch them, which delays rescue efforts. This is actually a misconception. Once struck, the person becomes a conductor, and the current has already passed into the ground—their body will not carry electricity.
With timely rescue, it is often possible to restore heartbeat and breathing to an apparent “corpse.” During rescue, simply lay the injured person flat on the ground and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation—mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration along with external chest compressions. Never delay rescue efforts in a rush to transport the person to the hospital, as this can result in missing the critical window and lead to death. In addition, keep the patient warm. If symptoms such as restlessness, convulsions, or other mental disturbances occur, apply a cold compress to the head. For localized electrical burns, under emergency conditions, simply keep the area dry or bandage it.
A lightning strike may also cause the victim’s clothing to catch fire. If their clothes are on fire, have them lie down immediately to prevent the flames from reaching their face. You can also pour water over the person or wrap them in a thick coat or blanket to extinguish the flames. The victim must not run in panic, as this will fan the flames. Instead, roll on the ground to smother the fire or lie in a water-filled depression or pool to extinguish the flames. Cool the affected area with cold water, then bandage it with clean cloth and seek medical treatment.