[OT] Tragic and bizarre: couple dies when struck by lightning

[DrSpunj]

It's common enough advice not to go under a tree during a storm. Everyone should have that drilled into their skull from the time you see your first old safety film in school.

This article doesn't state it, but the news report I got/heard said that there was also a great deal of hail with the storm, along with the lightning.

Now, I don't have any excuses about the metal chairs, and I don't know why the parents were affected and the kids weren't, but knowing there was hail around made it at least a bit more understandable to me why they may have sought shelter under a tree (you're more likely to get pummeled really bad if there's significant hail around, I'd think far more likely than getting struck by lightning).

DrSpunj

 

[AdamBank]

That and the lightning jumps from the tree to other nearby conductors, like people.

Yep. Standing under a tree during a lightning storm is a good way to get electrocuted.

But yes sheltering under a tree in a lightning storm is generally a bad idea.

I've been told that cars make ideal lightning shelters, since they are effective faraday cages.

 

[PowerWordDumb]

This article doesn't state it, but the news report I got/heard said that there was also a great deal of hail with the storm, along with the lightning.

Now, I don't have any excuses about the metal chairs, and I don't know why the parents were affected and the kids weren't, but knowing there was hail around made it at least a bit more understandable to me why they may have sought shelter under a tree (you're more likely to get pummeled really bad if there's significant hail around, I'd think far more likely than getting struck by lightning).

DrSpunj

No no no, that's when you lie down on the ground away from the tree, and pull the children over top of you to shield you from the hail. This approach has several benefits:

1. You won't get struck by lightning, unless little Timmy has a prosthetic leg or braces or something

2. The kids are small. You'll win that fight much more easily than if you try to pull your wife over top for cover.

3. They're kids - they'll heal faster!

4. Again, they're kids - what are they gonna do, drive YOU to the hospital afterwards? Might as well keep the adults healthy.

5. I forgot! They're kids - you can always make more!

See? There are much more reasonable ways to avoid hail & lightning than this family chose.

 

[DrSpunj]

No no no, ...See? There are much more reasonable ways to avoid hail & lightning than this family chose.

Funny.

Sick, but funny!

DrSpunj

 

[spyscribe]

I know it sounds strange, but the best thing to do is lay flat down on the ground.

If I can make a slight modification, you don't want to be lying flat on the ground. The earth is a conductor and if the ground nearby in struck, you don't want to be in full contact with it.

Crouch low and keep your hands off the ground. As far as I understand it, the goal is to minimize yourself as a target from above, not be the tallest thing around, and try to make sure the quickest route from ground to ground doesn't go through your heart.

More info at : When Lighting Strikes People

 

[Angcuru]

I've heard that you have a moments notice before lightning strikes. Supposedly you can feel the ground's charge shift, a little tingle in the feet. If you're quick enough you could jump out of the way.

That's because lightning actually discharges from the ground to the atmosphere. Lightning seeks the tallest, best conductor cause that's the quickest path to get to the opposite charge floatin' around in the sky. So the best thing to do would be to put on a wetsuit, actually. It's rubber(I think), therefore diminishing any charge you might be carrying, and takes you off of the list of big-ass conductors.

 

[Mark Chance]

...the list of big-ass conductors

For an actual list of big-ass conductors, click here.

For information on one of my favorite big-ass conductors, click here.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

Would it be rude of me to say that they won the Darwin Award?

No.

And I knew someone who died tragically after being struck by lighting so I expected to read this and feel awful but....

By the water? Under trees?? Metal chairs???

Still sad, though.

 

[Numion]

I can't tell you how many times I have stood under a tree holding golf clubs waiting for a storm to pass. I think you are being harsh. Most people don't want to get soaked and go under the tree for protection of the rain. getting struck by lightning is so rare that you figure, it can't happen to me.

Still people actively play the lottery. Nobody thinks that the chance of winning is so freakishly small so that they shouldn't play. Considering the payoffs in each case I'd rather get wet than take my chances in the electrifying lotto.

 

[Mark]

I can't tell you how many times I have stood under a tree holding golf clubs waiting for a storm to pass. I think you are being harsh. Most people don't want to get soaked and go under the tree for protection of the rain. getting struck by lightning is so rare that you figure, it can't happen to me. If you were outside and a storm comes up, what are you going to to, stand in the middle of an open field? It was a freakish accident, I bet the metal chairs had nothing to do with it, just plain bad luck.

I've met you, Toe. Please, don't do that anymore. And if you do, have the courtesy to not drag any children under the tree along with you. As unlucky as the kids were to lose their parents, they're damned luckier they weren't killed by the choice their parents made on that tragic day.