1. Introduction

All thunderstorms produce lightning in varying amounts.  It is the flashes from the cloud to the ground that create problems.  Because the human body contains salty water, which conducts electricity better than air, a person’s body may present a conduit for the lightning to reach the ground.

Beauty	Golfer Lee Trevino collapses after being struck by lightning
The Beast

Facts about Lightning injuries

Lightning strikes with 20 million volts of force Mortality rate for a direct strike is about one third of the victims Permanent sequelae in 50% of victims, especially to the nervous system Loss of consciousness in 75% of those struck

Types of Lightning injuries

Direct Strikes Flash discharge Ground current Shock waves Flash over

Direct Strikes

Person is outside and becomes the prime grounding site Head entry is the most common Mortality rate is high as is the rate of brain damage

Flash Discharge

Lightning is deviated by another object Mostly common form of injury Injury is less severe than direct strike but it is less than a direct strike

Ground Currents

The initial strike is on the ground The current travels to grounded person Injury is less than direct strike or flash

Flash Over

Lightning travels along the outside The current destroys clothing but Person usually only has a minor

Shock Wave

Force is that of a large explosion leading to a large shock wave Tissue trauma (from a transmitted energy) is common Look for fractures and other traumatic injuries

 

Supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters