Have you ever seen someone get struck by lightning? It’s a pretty amazing (and scary) sight. Does their hair catch on fire? Do they turn into a pile of ash?
Read on to find out what happens when you get struck by lightning. Stay tuned!
What happens when you get struck by lightning?
It all depends on where the strike enters and exits your body. If the current moves through your heart, it can cause cardiac arrest. If it passes through your brain, it can cause a stroke. In either case, death is a very real possibility
But not everyone who gets struck by lightning dies. In fact, many people survive with only minor injuries. The reason has to do with how our bodies conduct electricity
How the process occurs?
The human body is a good conductor of electricity. That’s why, when you get a static shock, you feel it in your whole body. Your nervous system is especially sensitive to electrical changes.
Lightning is an electrical discharge that occurs when the tension between two oppositely charged areas within the atmosphere is released. This process typically happens during a thunderstorm, when warm air rises and cold air pushes in from the sides.
The difference in temperature creates an area of low pressure in the center of the storm. As the warm air continues to rise, it cools and condenses into water droplets. These droplets create an area of high pressure beneath them.
As the difference in pressure becomes greater, electrons flow from the area of high pressure to the area of low pressure. This flow of electrons creates a current of electricity. The longer the path that the current takes, the more powerful it becomes. When the current finally reaches a point where it can discharge into the air, a lightning bolt is born.
A single lightning bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. And when that bolt comes into contact with a human body, bad things happen
When lightning strikes, it does so with enough force to cause serious injuries – or even death. The damage depends on how the electrical current travels through your body. If the current passes through your heart, it can cause cardiac arrest.
If it passes through your brain, it can cause a stroke. In either case, death is a very real possibility.
The dangers of being struck by lightning
While lightning strikes are relatively rare, they can be extremely dangerous. In fact, being struck by lightning is one of the leading causes of death from weather-related events. Even if a person survives a lightning strike, they can often suffer from serious injuries, such as burns, cardiac arrest, and neurological damage.
As a result, it is important to take steps to avoid being struck by lightning. When outdoors during a thunderstorm, try to stay away from tall trees or other tall objects that could attract lightning. If possible, seek shelter inside a building or car.
And if you are caught in an open area during a thunderstorm, squat down low to the ground to minimize your risk of being struck by lightning. By taking precautions, you can help to keep yourself safe during a thunderstorm.
Everyone knows that lightning is dangerous. But did you know that each year, an average of 24,000 people are struck by lightning? That’s about 65 people per day! In the United States, Florida has the most lightning strikes of any state, with an average of 10 strikes per square mile.
And while most people struck by lightning survive, the effects can be devastating. Up to 30% of those struck by lightning suffer from long-term neurological problems.
If you can’t avoid being outside, try to stay away from tall objects such as trees and poles. And if you feel your hair stand on end or hear a ringing noise, that’s a sign that lightning is about to strike. Get down low to the ground and make yourself as small a target as possible.
By following these simple tips, you can help to keep yourself safe from the dangers of lightning strikes.
What to do if you are struck by lightning?
Being struck by lightning is a harrowing experience, but there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of survival. First, if you can, get out of the open and away from tall objects like trees or buildings.
If you’re in a car, pull over and stay inside the vehicle. Then, call for medical help and wait for responders to arrive. In the meantime, check for burns, particularly on your skin or clothes.
Look for singed hair or any holes in your clothing. If you see any burns, cover them with a clean cloth. Finally, be prepared for after-effects. You may feel disoriented or suffer from dizziness, tingling, or weakness. If possible, rest until help arrives.
By following these steps, you can improve your chances of survival if you are struck by lightning.
If possible, call 911 or have someone else call for you. Once you are under medical care, your doctor will likely order tests to check for internal injuries and will monitor you for any signs of complications.
If you suffer from any long-term effects after being struck by lightning, your doctor can provide treatments to help manage your symptoms.
Prevention and Protection Against Being Struck By Lightning
Lightning is one of the most powerful and destructive forces in nature. It can strike without warning, and often with deadly results
There are, however, things that you can do to protect yourself from being struck by lightning. By following these simple guidelines, you can significantly reduce your risk of being struck by lightning. When thunderstorms are forecast, take the following precautions:
1. Avoid open areas
If you are caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, avoid open fields, hilltops, or anything else that would put you in a high area. Lightning tends to strike the highest points in an area.
2. Seek shelter
If you cannot avoid being in an open area, try to seek shelter inside a building or car. If neither is available, crouch down low to the ground and cover your head with your hands.
3. Stay away from water
Lightning often strikes areas near water, so it is best to avoid swimming pools, lakes, or any other body of water during a thunderstorm.
4. Avoid metal objects
Metal objects can conduct electricity, so it is best to avoid carrying anything made of metal during a thunderstorm. This includes umbrellas, golf clubs, bicycles, and even cell phones. Taking these precautions will help reduce your risk of being struck by lightning, but they cannot guarantee your safety.
If you are caught outdoors in a thunderstorm, be sure to stay alert and keep an eye on the sky for approaching storms. And if you hear the sound of thunder, that means lightning is close enough to pose a threat, so take cover immediately.
Conclusion
When it comes to being struck by lightning, there is no one answer that fits all. Some people may experience long-term health problems, while others may only suffer a minor shock. What’s important to remember is that, with the right preparation, you can increase your chances of surviving a lightning strike. Stay safe out there!
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