No, it is not safe to run in a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes pose a significant and potentially fatal risk.
Running in a thunderstorm increases your risk of being struck by lightning due to several factors:
- Exposure: You are out in the open, making you a taller object in the landscape, and therefore a more likely target for lightning.
- Sweat and Moisture: Rain and sweat make your body a better conductor of electricity.
- Open Areas: Parks and fields, common running locations, often lack nearby shelter.
Understanding the 30/30 Rule
The 30/30 rule is a crucial safety guideline during thunderstorms:
- Seek shelter immediately if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less. This indicates that the thunderstorm is close enough to pose an immediate danger.
- Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Lightning can still strike even after the storm appears to have passed.
Safe Practices During a Thunderstorm
- Seek Shelter: The best course of action is to seek shelter in a substantial building (with plumbing and electrical wiring, which help ground the structure) or a hard-topped metal vehicle.
- Avoid Elevated Areas: Stay away from hilltops, open fields, and tall objects like trees, which are more likely to be struck by lightning.
- Stay Away from Water: Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, so avoid swimming, wading, or boating during a thunderstorm.
- Unsafe Shelters: Do not seek shelter in small sheds, tents, or under isolated trees. These offer little to no protection.
- If Caught Outside: If you are caught outside with no shelter available, crouch down low to the ground, but do NOT lie flat. Minimize your contact with the ground.
Why Lying Flat is Not Recommended
While it might seem logical to lie flat to minimize your profile, this actually increases your exposure to ground current, which can travel through the ground after a lightning strike. Crouching minimizes the surface area in contact with the ground.
What to do if Someone is Struck by Lightning
- Call for help immediately (911).
- Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch.
- Provide first aid. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing or doesn't have a pulse.
