EAS Mechatronics Class Discussion Item 2.14 Lightning Storm Pose Brian Walker Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student

Topic of the day - lightning safety A park ranger at Rocky Mountain Park recommends that if your hair rises when hiking in an open area during a lightning storm, it is imperative to crouch down low to the ground keeping your feet together. Why might this be life-saving advice?

"It is a hard fact that there is NO safe place in the high country to be during a lightning activity. There is nothing you can do to guarantee safety if you are caught hiking in the mountains during a lighting storm." - Colorado Lightning Resource Center With that being said...

Lightning safety advice...if you are caught hiking in a lightning storm -Don’t stay in a group -Avoid metal objects -Avoid isolated trees -Avoid vehicles - including bicycles -Seek shelter under a thick growth of relatively small trees

When to assume the lightning-safe position If any of the following occur - immediately get into the lightning-safe position -your hair rises -your skin tingles -you hear crackling noises

The lightning-safe position explained… -crouch on the ground with weight centered on balls of feet -keep feet together -keep head lowered -cover your ears Is also recommended by some experts to place your palms on your forehead and your elbows on your knees: this provides a path to ground through your extremities rather than your core Whatever you do….DON’T LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND