Before you set out for your camping site, you ought to make sure that the weather for the day would be sunny. However, there are times when all your preparations yield nothing but false assumptions. In some cases, you might end up being caught up in a thunderstorm where lightning is quite prominent. Below are some tips that you should do in order to minimize the risk of being caught by a lightning in the open.
a. When in the open, you should avoid being the tallest object around. If your tent is quite firm and strong, it will be best to stay inside. If you think your tent is not safe and secure, you should consider taking cover elsewhere. Get to the nearest reliable shelter as quickly as you can. When exposed in an open field, get as low as you possibly can. Make it a point to avoid standing tall and upright. It will be better if you just squat but do not lie flat on the ground as well.
b. When you are out in an open field, you should also avoid being near the tallest object around. Although it might be quite tempting to hide under the cover of an isolated tree, it might be better if you just squat and stay away from it. The best protection would be to stay away from the peaks. The safest place would probably be depressions within a rock or a shallow cave.
c. If you cannot hide in caves or in other sheltered areas just because your camping gear or your backpack won't fit in it, you better leave your things behind. You can pick them later as soon as the thunderstorm subsides and you are safe from lightning.
d. Bear in mind that no warning signs will show up just before lightning will strike your camp site so you shouldn't wait. Be observant. If you think that it is about to rain, you should start packing up, putting your things in order, and heading for the safest sheltered venue that you can find.
e. Practice the "30-30" rule. This means that you will have to take shelter once you can hear the thunder thirty seconds or less just after you see the lightning flash. Moreover, you should not resume your activities nor should you walk out in the open field after thirty minutes have passed since you have heard the last thunder.
f. Take note of the fact that you do not have to be directly hit by the flash of light in order to be hurt by electricity. Lightning can strike something that's farther away from you but electricity can travel towards you.
g. When caught up in the thunderstorm, make sure that you avoid walking or standing near fence lines or power lines. Aside from the fact that power lines and poles are usually the tallest object around, you should be aware that the electric flash can travel along the lines and jump towards you.
h. If someone is struck by lightning, make sure that you call for medical help right away. While waiting for the medical aid, administer CPR to the victim if he has stopped breathing. Generally, you should receive a response from the victim after twenty minutes of doing CPR.
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