There is always some risk of being struck when one goes outside to take pictures or video of lightning, or just to watch a thunderstorm.  I think of lightning as being B.A.D.D.  It is Beautiful.  It is Awesome.  But it is also Dangerous.  And it is Deadly.  Those of us who are drawn like a magnetic to watch and/or take pictures of it must make reasonable effort to avoid the dangerous and deadly aspects.  However, no matter what we do, we will always be at some risk.  Reducing that risk is important if we are going to continue to tempt fate to seek our prized pictures.

During a recent large lottery in the U.S., winning the big prize was compared to other small odd events.  One comparison was that the odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in a million.  If correct, we lightning lovers must understand that being out as a storm approaches increases our risk to maybe something like 100 in a million (1 in 10,000).  Those inside are at far less risk if they follow indoor safety rules (closing and staying away from windows and doors, turning off appliances including the TV and VCR, not operating anything that uses electricity( power tools for example), not taking a bath or shower, and not using the phone).  Most people killed by lightning outside each year were out somewhere like on a golf course, at a sports event (even in a stadium), seeking shelter under trees, camping in the mountains, swimming, boating, etc.  Running to your car at the mall is dangerous.

The best we can do is to understand a few things about lightning as well as thunderstorms in general so that we tempt fate as little as possible.  I thought that presenting this as a few questions might help you think about how best to be safest in your circumstance where you take pictures or watch a storm.

1: Lightning always or nearly always strikes the tallest object nearby.

False, very false. Far too much emphasis has been placed on lightning's preference for striking taller objects.  While, yes, it is true that it does prefer a taller object because electrical charge can build there more easily, there are far too many examples of lightning striking somewhere else.  In short, it is not safe to assume that your risk is low because you are away from tall objects.  Even next to tall buildings, lightning can strike next to it without ever touching the building. 

2: Based on the above it is therefore safe to seek shelter under trees.

False. Lightning still has a preference for taller objects.  Standing under a tree is especially dangerous.  If lightning comes down through the trunk of the tree and goes into the ground, there will very likely be an area of the ground around the tree where the charge will be very substantial and thus do you great harm or be fatal.  This is one of the leading places where people are killed by lightning.

Lightning can strike any place, any object, and at any time when a thunderstorm is in your area.

3: You are out watching a storm approach and estimate how far the storm is away from you by counting the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, approximately 5 seconds for each mile away (1.6 kilometers).  You estimate that the storm is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) away and that it would be 20 minutes before you would have to seek shelter.  It is safe to assume you can stay longer.

False.  When it comes to lightning and thunderstorms it is absolutely never safe to assume anything.  Some storms do follow a predictable pattern, but all too often storms have surprises in store for those who assume that certain things will or will not happen.

For example, the part of the storm where the lightning is flashing may suddenly have lightning start somewhere else in the storm that is too close to you.  Or, a new thunderstorm cell could form right over you.

4: The rain and lightning are far off, so it is safe for the time being.

False.  The beauty we admire in the lightning is because we see the streaks clearly.  We only see them clearly because they are occurring where there is no cloud and there is no rain.  Sometimes bolts strike 5 miles (8 kilometers) and more away from the cloud and storm.  Some bolts come out of the blue (away from clouds).  Such bolts occur without warning and often strike the ground far away from a storm.  So, we can be caught by surprise once in a while.

5: It isn't as safe to be on higher ground (even hills or mountains) to watch or take pictures as a storm approaches.

True.  Not only is lightning more likely to strike higher ground, the effects of the higher ground on a thunderstorm itself can lead to disaster.  As air moves up over the higher ground, air is also lifted in the atmosphere above, which helps promote convection and storm development.  This means that a weakening storm over a valley can regenerate as it goes up over the higher ground.  Or, the lightning frequency can increase, or even start for the first time.  Or, a new area of lightning can strike right by you as the storm clouds approach.  And the final or, a new storm cell can develop right above you.  Always keep an eye on the sky directly above you to see if ominous clouds are building.

6: Many people live who are struck by lightning.

True.  Quite a few people live to tell about it.  But many of these suffer permanent injuries.  Some suffer part or full paralysis.  Some have injuries to certain parts of the brain that make doing certain things impossible forever.  There are often permanent psychological effects.

What does being struck mean?  One does not have to be struck by the main visible bolt to consider having been struck.  I doubt that many live who are actually struck by a main bolt, although a few do.  The amount of charge in bolts varies.  Also, some strikes have one main return stroke that lasts for just a tiny fraction of a second, while others have repeat strikes to the same place that last longer.  Death row prisoners would most often not die if the electricity were only activated for a tiny fraction of a second.  Of course, the amount of current they get is much less than in lightning.

One must also realize that the electric field at the ground can be high enough to shock, injure, or possibly even kill a person some distance away from where the lightning actually strikes.  In addition, the branches around the main bolt of lightning that we often see can also do the same thing to a person.  See the second picture in Gallery 1 on Sunday, June 22, 1997, (the same as the small picture at the top left of this page) and the story about a bird being killed even though the lightning struck well away from it.

1. You are outside and feel a tingling through you body and see (or feel) your hair stand up from any part of you.  You should

a) Assume you are having a "bad hair day" and ignore it.

b) Look around to see if anyone else nearby is having the same thing happen.

c) Wonder what on earth is going on.

d) Run like mad to get away or seek shelter because lightning is about to strike.

e) Get down after you look around to make sure no one else is looking to see what a crazy fool you look like.

f) Immediately lie flat on the ground.  Get back up after the lightning strikes.

g) Immediately crouch down as far as you can but remain on your feet.  Wait for the lightning to strike before getting back up.

h) Pray

Answer:  While choices a), b) and c) may seem stupid, these are reactions that people typically will have.  In fact, in 1975 some hikers in Sequoia National Prak had this happen.  They stopped to take pictures of their hair standing straight up.  Seconds later lightning struck them!  Note also that not every person around will necessarily have their hair stand up.

Choice d) is wrong because time is of the essence.  Lightning is about to strike and you may well not have enough time to seek shelter.  Choice e) is exactly what a person will do if they know to get down because they don't want to look stupid to everyone else around.  Actually, if anyone says anything afterward and you explain why you did it, they will more than likely be impressed with your knowledge and safety tip that they might use someday.

Do not lie flat on the ground, choice f).  This increases the amount of your contact with the ground and if lightning strikes near enough to you, more or your body will get the high charge from the ground itself.

Choice g) is the best choice, especially if combined with h).  A little prayer at a time like this can't hurt as long as you get down right away.  Immediately means immediately.  Lightning could strike as soon as a second or two, or it may take many more seconds.  You can't be sure.  So, be the safest and get right down.  By crouching down and remaining on your feet, the soles of your shoes will help reduce the charge going into you if lightning strikes right by you.  If your physical build makes full crouching too difficult to do, get down as far as practical.  Use your hands to balance yourself only if there is no other way.  This could save your life and/or reduce injury effects.

2.  You are out in a boat and feel that lightning is about to strike.  You should

a) Jump into the water so that you are not the tallest object.

b) Stay in the boat and crouch down.

Answer:  Even though water is not a good conductor of electricity, it can certainly transmit enough to be lethal to a person in the water.  Lightning could strike some distance away and still do great harm if you are in the water.  Stay in the boat and crouch down.

True or False:

If you do not feel charge building up, or someone else's hair stands up but not yours, you will not be struck.

False.  The electric charge build up at the ground or on the water that one sometimes feels can cover a considerable area.  There is no certainty that you will be struck directly if you feel the charge building in you.  There is no certainty that you will not be struck either.  Many people who have been struck do not recall feeling anything or seeing their hair stand up before the lightning.  In addition, each person has a different body sensitivity to feeling these effects.

If you are struck or a person near you is struck: Get immediate medical attention.  Aside from physical injuries a person will likely be in a state of shock and should be treated accordingly.  Carry some sort of first aid kit with you when you go on your lightning hunts.  A cell phone can come in very handy.  Know the emergency phone number to call for help.  Here in the U.S., 911 is the emergency number.

Taking pictures or video from your home: One can feel a little safer by taking pictures from the front porch, a balcony, or being inside and shooting from a window just because home is a familiar place and usually a safe place.  But the threat is just as great as if you were out in the open.  Home sweet home is not any safer in this case, however.  Never set up on your roof just to get a better view.

Tip: When taking pictures or doing video, it is best to stand back away from your equipment if it is mounted on a tripod.  Any metal can spell disaster.  Do not set up next to metal objects since they conduct electricity extremely well and attract lightning.  One photographer had his equipment struck just seconds after he stepped away from it!

Conclusion: Each person must decide for himself or herself when enough is enough, that a storm is too close and unsafe for comfort.  If lightning strikes too close to you someday, adjust your plan to pack in your equipment and leave sooner.  Once a storm strikes you can have blinding rain, flooding, severe winds, hail, and possibly a tornado to deal with when you are driving.  Know your route back home if you chase storms to an unfamiliar place.

Learning the signs of potential trouble as you chase storms by watching the skies, and building a base of knowledge of these signs of the severe weather that occurs in your area, is very important.  The experience you gain from having a watchful weather eye can keep you one step ahead of real trouble.  Severe weather can have somewhat different appearances from one place to another.

When you get home enjoy your prized pictures or video!  Good luck and safe hunting to each and every one of you!