From 2006 through 2012, 238 people
were struck and killed by lightning in the U.S. Were most of these deaths
during leisure or work activities? Were more deaths while people were playing
golf or soccer? The National Weather Service (NWS) has tallied statistics and
has some advice, too.
- 64% leisure activities
- 17% daily routine
- 13% work, and
- 6% of cases unknown.
Daily routine includes walking to or
from a vehicle, waiting outdoors for transportation, walking to or from home,
and yard work.
The breakdown by type of work:
- 34% farming/ranching
- 9% construction
- 9% lawn care
- 9% roofing
- 6% working on a barge
- 6% military, and
- 25% other.
Included in the other category were
deaths related to loading trucks, surveying, door-to-door sales, logging, mail
delivery, utility repair and work
at an amusement park. Fatalities that occurred when
traveling to or from work were categorized as daily routine.
Is
golf a big factor?
Answer to our second question: More
are killed by lightning while playing soccer than while golfing. Here’s a
partial breakdown of leisure activities:
- 11% fishing (largest number of lightning deaths due to
leisure activities)
- 6% camping
- 6% boating
- 5% soccer, and
- 3% golf.
The common belief that golfers are
responsible for the greatest number of lightning deaths was shown to be a myth.
Why is that the case?
The NWS “has made a concerted effort
to raise lightning awareness in the golf community since we began the campaign
in 2001,” said
John Jensienius, a lightning safety specialist with the NWS. “We believe our outreach has made a huge difference since
lightning-related deaths on golf courses have decreased by 75%.”
In other words: Safety training and
education work.
- Stay off and away from anything tall or high, including
roofs, scaffolding, utility poles and ladders.
- Stay off and away from large equipment such as
bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, track loaders and tractors.
- Don’t touch materials or surfaces that can conduct
electricity, including metal scaffolding, metal equipment, utility lines,
water, water pipes and plumbing.
- Leave areas with explosives or munitions.
If workers hear thunder, they should
get to a building or enclosed vehicle.
Advice if someone is struck:
Lightning victims don’t carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch and need
urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death. Some
deaths can be prevented if the victim receives the proper first aid
immediately. Call 9-1-1 and perform CPR if the person isn’t responsive. Use an
automated external defibrillator if available.
No comments:
Post a Comment