Lightning

[Dakota]

The following is from the National Weather Service:

Lightning - The Under-rated Weather Hazard

The Threat
Lightning is the #2 storm killer in the U.S., killing more than hurricanes or tornadoes. Only floods kill more. But the real story of lightning isn't the deaths, it's the injuries. Only about 10% of those struck are killed; 90% survive. But of the survivors, the large majority suffers life-long severe injury. These injuries are primarily neurological, with a wide range of symptoms, and are very difficult to diagnose. Lightning also causes about $5 billion of economic loss each year in the U.S.
The Solution
Public education is the key! The vast majority of lightning casualties can be easily, quickly, and cheaply avoided, if only the public knew what to do. The public needs increased awareness of the lightning hazard and increased knowledge of lightning safety.
Lightning Safety
Lightning safety is easy. But lightning safety is also inconvenient. It requires diligence and continual reinforcement and encouragement. Lightning safety is a multi-step process, with each step providing a decreasing level of protection – plan around the weather, and have a lightning safety plan.

No Place Outside is Safe Near Thunderstorms!

Step 1: If you are planning to be outside, watch the weather forecast and know your local weather patterns. Plan around the weather to avoid the lightning hazard.
Step 2: If you are going to be outside anyway, stay near proper shelter and use the ‘30-30 Rule' to know when to seek proper shelter.

‘30-30 Rule' When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.

Step 3: Seek proper shelter when required. Don't hesitate, seek shelter immediately. The lightning casualty stories are replete with events where people were about to make it to shelter when they were struck; if they'd just started a minute earlier, they'd have been safe.

Proper Shelter: The best shelter commonly available against lightning is a large fully enclosed substantially constructed building, e.g. your typical house. Substantially constructed means it has wiring and plumbing in the walls. Once inside, stay away from any conducting path to the outside. Stay off the corded telephone. Stay away from electrical appliances, lighting, and electric sockets. Stay away from plumbing. Don't watch lightning from windows or doorways. Inner rooms are generally better.

If you can't get to a house, a vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice. As with a house, avoid contact with conducting paths going outside: close the windows, lean away from the door, put your hands in your lap, don't touch the steering wheel, ignition, gear shifter, or radio. Convertibles, cars with fiberglass or plastic shells, and open framed vehicles don't count as lightning shelters.

MYTH:
Cars are safe because the rubber tires insulate them from the ground.
TRUTH:
Cars are safe because of their metal shell.

Step 4: If you can't get to proper lightning shelter, at least avoid the most dangerous locations and activities. Avoid higher elevations. Avoid wide-open areas, including sports fields. Avoid tall isolated objects like trees, poles, and light posts. Avoid water-related activities: boating, swimming (includes indoor pools), and fishing. Avoid golfing. Avoid open vehicles like farm tractors, open construction vehicles, riding lawnmowers, golf carts (even with roofs), etc. Avoid unprotected open buildings like picnic pavilions, rain shelters, and bus stops. Avoid metal fences and metal bleachers.

DO NOT GO UNDER TREES TO KEEP DRY DURING THUNDERSTORMS!

Step 5: USE THIS AS A DESPERATE LAST RESORT ONLY! If you've made several bad decisions and are outside far away from proper shelter and lightning threatens, proceed to the safest location. If lightning is imminent, it will sometimes give a very few seconds of warning. Sometimes your hair will stand-up on end, or your skin will tingle, or light metal objects will vibrate, or you'll hear a crackling or "kee-kee" sound. If this happens and you're in a group, spread out so there are several body lengths between each person. If one person is struck, the others may not be hit and can give first aid. Once you've spread out, use the lightning crouch; put your feet together, squat down, tuck your head, and cover your ears. When the immediate threat of lightning has passed, continue heading to the safest spot possible. Remember, this is a desperate last resort; you are much safer having followed the previous steps and not gotten into this high-risk situation.
Step 6: All deaths from lightning are cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth-resuscitation are the recommended first aid, respectively.

MYTH:
Lightning victims are electrified. If you touch them, you'll be electrocuted.
TRUTH:
It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid.

NO LIGHTNING SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY, BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF LIGHTNING CASUALTIES.

End of the National Weather Service information.

Some comments for umpires and coaches

Please notice that the recommendation of when to seek shelter immediately is visible lightning with 30 seconds or less between the lightning and the thunder.
THIS RECOMMENDATION IS TOO FREQUENTLY IGNORED.

Also please notice that softball/baseball complexes rarely contain a proper shelter.

GET YOUR TEAMS INTO YOUR VEHICLES IF A PROPER SHELTER IS NOT AVAILABLE.

DUGOUTS ARE NOT A PROPER SHELTER.

CONCESSION STANDS ARE NOT A PROPER SHELTER.

STAY AWAY FROM BLEACHERS, BACKSTOPS, CHAIN-LINK FENCES, AND OPEN FIELDS.

DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PLAYERS TO STAND NEAR METAL FENCING HOLDING AN ALUMINUM BAT.

DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PLAYERS TO STAND OUT IN AN OPEN FIELD.

IN OTHER WORDS, SUSPEND THE GAME AND TAKE SHELTER.

COACHES, DON’T WAIT FOR THE UMPIRE.

UMPIRES, DON’T WAIT FOR THE COACHES.

[Edited by Dakota on Jan 10th, 2002 at 10:30 AM]