Asked by bob
Explain why lightning strikes can be dangerous even when an individual is not directly struck.
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Lightning is dangerous even when it doesn't hit you directly because the immense current and energy in a strike can reach you by many indirect routes. Main ways this happens:
- Ground (or step) current: when lightning hits the ground, the strike current spreads outward across the surface. Different parts of your body (for example, your feet) can be at different voltages, so current can flow up one leg and down the other through your body. Ground current is a common cause of lightning injuries.
- Side flash (splash): lightning that strikes a tall object (tree, pole, vehicle) can jump from that object to a nearby person if the person provides a slightly easier path to ground. This can happen even if you are several meters from the struck object.
- Conduction through wiring and plumbing: lightning current can travel long distances through metal objects, electrical wiring, phone lines, and water pipes. Touching an appliance, corded phone, or plumbing during a strike can put that current through you.
- Water conduction: water (especially salt water) conducts electricity well, so a strike into water can create dangerous currents that affect swimmers or boats some distance away.
- Electromagnetic induction and surges: the lightning’s rapidly changing magnetic field can induce huge voltages in nearby conductors (wires, antennas), damaging electronics and creating shock/fire hazards.
- Blast and thermal effects: lightning heats air explosively, producing a shock wave that can cause blunt trauma, hearing damage, or secondary injury from flying debris. Objects struck by lightning can be shattered or ignited, causing burns or fires.
What to do to reduce risk
- Seek substantial shelter (a building with wiring/plumbing or a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle).
- Avoid open fields, isolated trees, water, and metal fences.
- Stay away from corded phones, electrical appliances, and plumbing during a storm.
- If trapped outdoors with no shelter, minimize your contact with the ground (feet together, crouch down) — don’t lie flat.
- If someone is struck, call emergency services and give CPR if needed; a person struck by lightning often needs immediate medical help but may still have a heartbeat and breathing.
In short: lightning’s energy can travel through ground, air gaps, metal, and water and cause injury to people who weren’t hit directly.
- Ground (or step) current: when lightning hits the ground, the strike current spreads outward across the surface. Different parts of your body (for example, your feet) can be at different voltages, so current can flow up one leg and down the other through your body. Ground current is a common cause of lightning injuries.
- Side flash (splash): lightning that strikes a tall object (tree, pole, vehicle) can jump from that object to a nearby person if the person provides a slightly easier path to ground. This can happen even if you are several meters from the struck object.
- Conduction through wiring and plumbing: lightning current can travel long distances through metal objects, electrical wiring, phone lines, and water pipes. Touching an appliance, corded phone, or plumbing during a strike can put that current through you.
- Water conduction: water (especially salt water) conducts electricity well, so a strike into water can create dangerous currents that affect swimmers or boats some distance away.
- Electromagnetic induction and surges: the lightning’s rapidly changing magnetic field can induce huge voltages in nearby conductors (wires, antennas), damaging electronics and creating shock/fire hazards.
- Blast and thermal effects: lightning heats air explosively, producing a shock wave that can cause blunt trauma, hearing damage, or secondary injury from flying debris. Objects struck by lightning can be shattered or ignited, causing burns or fires.
What to do to reduce risk
- Seek substantial shelter (a building with wiring/plumbing or a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle).
- Avoid open fields, isolated trees, water, and metal fences.
- Stay away from corded phones, electrical appliances, and plumbing during a storm.
- If trapped outdoors with no shelter, minimize your contact with the ground (feet together, crouch down) — don’t lie flat.
- If someone is struck, call emergency services and give CPR if needed; a person struck by lightning often needs immediate medical help but may still have a heartbeat and breathing.
In short: lightning’s energy can travel through ground, air gaps, metal, and water and cause injury to people who weren’t hit directly.
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