As the temperature rises and the odds of rain (hopefully) increase I thought this article in the September 1993 issue of Eureka would be appropriate.
Lightning Never Strikes…..? By Jim Furner.
John Collee, writing in the Observer, points out some facts about lightning which may be of interest to detectorists, adding to other dangers of the hobby such as frostbite, sunstroke and Weil’s disease. Most victims of lightning strikes in this country are golfers but the risk would appear to be the same for our fraternity. Although the voltage of strikes is high, the time is measured in milliseconds. Surprisingly, it is safer to be struck whilst wet as water conducts the charge over the body’s surface. When the charge penetrates the body it expands the gases within with disastrous results. In 1984 one Irish golfer was struck on his brass belt buckle and had his bowel was perforated in six places. His furled umbrella was driven into the ground to its handle.
Collee quotes anecdotes from an article in the New Statesman. “Lightning strikes can have an explosive effect and in 1970 ten tourists in Italy had their clothing completely removed but were otherwise unharmed.”
In these days of mixed detecting such an incident could be embarrassing. There are several accounts of people being struck more than once – all, of course, Americans. Even if lightning misses you you may not be safe as it may strike the ground nearby creating a polarity of voltage between your legs. The degree of shock depends on how far apart your legs are.
Jim Furner recommends members follow these safety tips.
1. Recognise the conditions. Thunderstorms occur when the ground is warm, the air is moist and the atmosphere unstable.
2. If you sense this then take off any pointy headgear, throw away any conductive object you’re holding and head for shelter, keeping your legs close together at all times.
3. No, wait! Not under that tree! Lightning hits the tallest point and will bounce off it onto anything nearby.
4. And don’t think of jumping into the lake either. On a calm expanse of water the highest point will be the top of your head.
5. So, actually, you are doomed. They say the signs of an imminent strike are that you feel your hair standing on end and hear a buzzing around you.
When it gets to the point all you can do is adopt the time honoured defensive position for use in the case of a nuclear strike. Crouch on the ground, put your head between your knees and kiss your arse goodbye.
[Some time ago David Hunt picked up another tip – sit on one heel with the other foot sticking out in front of you and hop in that position towards shelter! – Ed]
(Whilst bearing steel and/or carbon fibre golf clubs/fishing rods I’ve had to seek shelter but, like several members I have no hair – on my head anyway – to stand on end.)
I’m hoping to arrange a search for 15th May.
Chairman Joe.
