What to do when lighting strikes

The following article was written by Cid Morgan.

The easiest way to treat lightning strikes is through avoidance.  If you or your dog are out in the water and a thunderstorm is near, GET OUT OF THE WATER!  The body of water can be hit no where near you but you can still get shocked.  If you are in an area with trees, don't stand or huddle directly under the trees - lighting can travel down the trunk and outward and strike you.  Do NOT lie flat on the ground with your arms outstretched.  A bolt can go in one hand and out the other or down your leg - with your heart in the way.  Although it might be uncomfortable crouch down with just the balls of your feet on the ground and your elbows tucked in to your sides and your fists balled up around your chin.  You are trying to make the least amount of surface area.  If you had a dog with you, I would try to keep the dog in a sitting position in a low spot.  If you are in a vehicle, don't touch the doors, etc., just try to ball up in the seat.  If you have steel belted radials, your car will NOT be grounded like with plain rubber tires.

If you are near someone (human or canine) that has been struck by lightning and you are unable to call 911 or are quite a ways out before help can arrive, remember that lightning strikes are treated as burns - the lightning likes to travel the arteries, veins, and nervous system, as they are more conductive to electricity!  So you can look o.k. on the outside, but actually be burned on the inside!  If someone is struck, you need to try to get them to a safe place (yes, lightning DOES strike twice in the same area!) and do the "abc's" of first aid.   If the electrical current passed through the heart, it may have caused defibrillation, and CPR may be necessary.  Treat for shock and get to a medical professional ASAP!

Don't be on a phone that has a direct line to the house, and don't be taking a shower, bath, or stick your hands under running water during a bad thunderstorm - and remember that this applies to your labs as well!  Remember, the electricity can travel through the water and still shock you.

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