Lightning Safety Training

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Purpose
Lightning Safety Training and Education is a must
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Overview

• LIGHTNING IS A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD !!!
• Scouting Lightning Hazards are real
• LIGHTNING SAFETY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
• CALL TO ACTION

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Lightning -- Significant Hazards

• LIGHTNING Is the Underrated Killer
• 2 Storm Killer In U.S.
• More Than Tornadoes and Hurricanes Combined
• Life-Long Debilitating Injury On Many More
  Than It Kills
• Kills 73 individuals / Year and Injures
  over 1,000 / Year In U.S.
• 5 Billion Economic Impact Each Year In U.S.
• Yet Lightning Safety Receives
• Surprisingly Little Attention!

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Scouting Lightning Hazards
Camping Activities can put Scouts at Risk!
Lightning Casualties In U.S. (1959-2005)(National
Severe Storms Laboratory)
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Scouting Lightning Hazards
Scouting Activities can put Scouts at Risk!

• Open Fields (45)
• Sports Fields
• Campgrounds
• Outdoor Activities
• Water Sports Activities
• Other Concerns
• Metal Bleachers!
• Long Metal Fences!
• Power Lines

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Scouting Lightning Hazards
Under Trees (23) of Lightning Strikes
occur at an Outdoor Activity
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Scouting Lightning Hazards

• Water Related (14)
• Swimming
• Indoor Pools Too!
• Boating

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Scouting Lightning Hazards
Scouting Activities can put Scouts At Risk!

• Golf (6)
• Hiking in Patrols
• Heavy Equipment (5)
• Grounds Keepers
• Telephone (4)
• Everyone!

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Scouting Lightning Hazards
Scouting Activities Can Put Scouts at Risk!
Scouts have to be aware of Rising Lightning
Casualty Rates Education is key to survival and
response

• Dont Tough It Out!
• Do
• Postpone Or Cancel Event
• Prevent Scout Lives and Life-Long Crippling
  Injuries
• Being Safe is More Important Than A Game!

NO!
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Scouting Lightning Hazards
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Recommendations

• THERE ARE MANY LIGHTNING
  SAFETY GROUPS
• TO GATHER CRITICAL
  INFORMATION
• 16 Lightning Experts From Diverse Disciplines
• National Labs
• Universities
• Operational Meteorology
• Medicine
• Industry
• Safety
• Insurance
• Education
• Athletics
• Our primary GOAL is To provide consistent and
  correct information about Lightning Safety
  Guidelines through education and training
  programs

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Recommendations (cont.)

• Follow Safety Guidelines
• Safer And Unsafe Locations (Develop signage and
  post on Certified Safe Buildings)
• Train Individuals
• Train Small Groups
• Train Large Groups
• Follow specific action training components
  provided. Take the Lightning Safety Course (age
  appropriate) and complete the Lightning Safety
  Quiz Upon completion a Certification Card will be
  presented
• Learn First Aid For Lightning Victims

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Recommendations (cont.)

• People Dont Realize the
  Long Distances Lightning Can Strike
• Lightning Strikes an average of 3 Nautical Miles
  (NM) in Distance
• A Bolt From the Blue up to 15 NM- this is
  not uncommon
• Ground Strikes up to 60 NM-have been
  documented from Anvil
• (this is a Rare Distance)
• People Dont Realize the Length of Time
  Lightning Can Strike
• Debris Cloud has documented that a Ground Strike
  has occurred 75 minutes after the Thunderstorm
  has decayed

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Recommendations (cont.)
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Recommendations (cont.)
Important Points

• Use 30-30 Rule To Determine If Lightning Is A
  Threat
• If 30 Secs Or Less Flash To Bang, Seek Proper
  Shelter
• Back-Up Rule (if you cant see the lightning)
  If You Can Hear Thunder, Seek Proper
  Shelter
• Wait 30 Min Or More After Last Thunder,
  Before Leaving Proper Shelter
• Most Casualties Occur Before, and especially
  After, Thunderstorms
• 30-30 Rule May Seem Too Conservative -- Its
  Not!

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Recommendations (cont.)
Some Important Points For Scouters

• Use Lightning Notification Services when
  appropriate.
• Check the weather while planning your trip, Be
  Prepared.
• Use National Lightning Detection Network Data
• Use Automatic Notification Systems when
  Lightning is within various distances of an
  Event Site / Time
• Units are encouraged to purchase small weather
  radios and monitor the weather as best as you
  can- stay informed. Listen to the Weather Station
  on your Weather Radio)
• Have a Notification System in place when All
  Clear
• Need To Watch The Skies And React Appropriately

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Recommendations (cont.)

• Seek Proper Shelter
• Buildings are much better than vehicles
• Vehicles Offer Some Safety
• No Place Outside is Safe Know the safety
  position and stay away from tall trees

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Recommendations (cont.)

• Once in Proper Shelter Avoid
• Conducting Paths to
• Outside Telephones (corded)
• Electrical Appliances / (unshielded wiring)
• TVs, VCRs, And TV Cables
• Computers
• Light Switches
• Electrical Outlets
• Plumbing showers, sinks, restrooms
• Pools (indoor and outdoor)
• Dont Watch Lightning from Windows / Doorways
• Inner Rooms Are Better

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Recommendations (cont.)
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Recommendations (cont.)
Some Important Pointers For Scouters

• First Aid For Lightning
• Call 91
• Apply CPR / Mouth To Mouth Resuscitation
• All Deaths From Cardiac Arrest / Stopped
  Breathing
• Myth
• Lightning Victim Can Electrocute You
• 90 Survive -- Give The First Aid
• Beware Downed Live Wires!

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NNJC is concerned for all Scouters

• Every unit is requested to implement a Lightning
  Safety Plan and use the training provided.
• The primary Goal is to Protect Scouts and Staff
• 2) Continuing Education Training Program is a
  must.
• Teach Your Scouts And Staff How to help
  protect themselves outdoors and Outside of
  Scouting
• 3) Scout Education programs have been developed
  to ensure your safety.
• Help Your Community Protect Itself
• Generate Support For Scouting by being safe and
  knowledgeable in a lightning storm.

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NNJC is concerned for all Scouters

• Involve everyone Scouting Professionals, Scout
  Leaders and Senior Scouts need to be involved
  training
• Integrate and Implement a Lightning Safety Plan
  which is age appropriate, dynamic and
  entertaining
• Have Support Materials Prepared (Brochures
  and magnets) samples are available and ready for
  Distribution
• Publish A Guide to Lightning Safety Resource
  Manual, are your Scouts prepared?
• Take the Lightning safety Quiz and Get
  Lightning Safety Certified
• The online quiz will have a direct link to
  submit your completion and a training card will
  be sent to you.

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Summary

• Lightning is an Extremely Significant Hazard
• Far Too Often Underrated
• Lightning Safety Education can Help Scouts
  improve their Lightning Safety skills
• All Scouters must Play A Vital Role!
• Implement a Lightning Safety Plan
• Educate everyone on Lightning Safety
• Bring Lighting Safety to the Public
• Education is Key to saving a Life

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Lightning Safety
HANDOUTS!
Questions? Want To Do Lightning Safety?
Send requests to Daniel E. Stryker
dan_at_gainsllc.com (201 247-0277)
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