Lightning safety?

[tlapinski]

well, i got myself into a scary situation last night with the thunderstorm. i was right in the path of the storm as it came ashore. by the time i realized what was going on, the lightning was flashing extremely close. i was even temporarily blinded as one flash struck so close to me. there wasn't much cover around aside from some boulders and a slight embankment from a semi dune. what is the proper procedure if you get into this type of situation? i know you should avoid the highest local object, but what if there isn't anything that is much taller than you are? i know you should seek "cover", but what should you avoid? i want to make sure that i, and everyone else, will be prepared if this ever happens again.

[Thom]

Toby Ditch the fishing rod and try and find a low spot and either sit or lay down flat on the ground. ThomT

[Krispy]

Use 2 rods to tune into the storm via the "rabbit ear" method. When you feel a static charge run around quickly in circles, as it will have less chance of hitting you.
Dont worry though, your waders should ground you.

[JPowers]

Nope. Never lie down. Too much body surface in contact with the ground.

Squat down ( like a catcher) with just the balls of your feet on the ground.

[SeaWolf]

put a large kastmaster on, hold the 10' graphite rod tight and high(and not near the cork tape - even better, on the metal wrap-on real seat while holding the aluminum reel too), make sure you have a few waves soak you down, and anchor your korkers well into the rocks. that way, if you are stuck by lightning it will go thru you fast and you won't miss a cast. and, next time, wear sunglasses.

[redcrbbr]

throwing the bird and cussing loudly at the skies while standing waist deep in the surf worked for me, till that blinding flash and crackling noise reminded me just how stupid i was.

ran for cover and sat in the truck till it passed

[fishweewee]

Been there Toby, scary stuff. I remember one time I just RAN - threw the rod into the truck and got shelter.

[Mike P]

Ditch the rod, find a low spot in the dunes, and assume the fetal position.

And start heading for cover when you hear thunder rumbling---when it cracks, it's too close.

Use the flash and sound method---when you see a flash, start counting "one-one thousand, two-one thousand" and so on. Sound travels a mile in about 5 seconds. If you see lightning flash and you don't get to "fifteen one thousand" before you hear thunder, you're cutting it close. Get to cover ASAP.

Cold front thunderstorms can move at up to 60 miles an hour which translates into a mile a minute. And, the storm doesn't have to be right on top of you for lightning to pose a danger. Last year in NJ a guy was killed by lightning from a storm that was still 2 miles offshore.

[BigFish]

Strip clothes off to buck naked....baste with butter, oregano, parsley flake, pepper mix (apply liberally) stuff apple in mouth, lay down on your back with arms and legs in the air and wait for electric charge to do the rest! Or just watch the weather before you go fishing????

[Chumbag]

some funny stuff here but JPowers had it right. squat like a catcher, it's called the lightning squat, not to be confused with other types, and if you can't find cover it's your best shot at safety. probably a good time for some soul searching, too.

[Mike P]

Originally posted by Chumbag
some funny stuff here but JPowers had it right. squat like a catcher, it's called the lightning squat, not to be confused with other types, and if you can't find cover it's your best shot at safety. probably a good time for some soul searching, too.

Yeah, and if there's lightning hitting close, that squat will serve a dual purpose