thunder and lightning - the underestimated risk
If it starts to thunderstorm unexpectedly during an outing in the countryside, this may be more dangerous than many think. In humans, a fatal lightning strike Heart rhythm disturbances and internal burns. But how can you protect yourself?
"A problem is often that people are not sufficiently informed about upcoming weather conditions," says Günther Delfs by the German Weather Service (DWD) in Hamburg. "That need not be, because the German Weather Service provides accurate predictions about the web approaching storms and storm situations." This can be very small scale even resolved to the county level. Of course are such information for hikers and water sports enthusiasts, "but also for recreational soccer players, whose training courses are often the villages upstream and thus exposed in the open are quite "out of the expert.
For leisure players: Caution! In advance of such actions, you should definitely pay attention to the forecast or weather radar in the EWD, "advises Delfs. That soccer fields are particularly vulnerable to possible lightning strikes, not least because of the lighting towers of steel. They are the highest elevation in the area and an ideal lightning rod . Proposes here by lightning, it can lead to forwarding through other steel parts, such as the railings in the spectator area. This is equal to many people from the high electric current of lightning up affected to 400 000 amps, in a recent a stadium in the town of Biberach Ingoldingen district, where in May this year 26 people were severely injured in a lightning strike.
The first advice of professionals is therefore to assess the threat in advance as possible correct. In many cases, is announcing an impending storm to be heard. "Follow the thunder of a lightning in less than ten seconds, is no longer the Einschlagort than a kilometer away," says Günther Delfs by DWD. Then we need to act quickly: distance to all high points and keep, if possible, preferably a building made of reinforced concrete or a closed vehicle seek to protect. Here, however, should not the body or affect buildings in the radiators or water pipes.
on distance to trees
If you are in the open field, it says: If possible, go with legs in squat position and take the greatest possible distance from trees, poles or even a bicycle, so to all that is good conductive. Care should be taken not to go to the highest and therefore most exposed point of the environment.
to the saying "Thou shalt Book Search, oak soft Thou shalt" one should not hold. Trees - any kind - are taboo in a storm! Campers should
remain in a storm in no case in the tent because the tent pole acts like an antenna, attracting lightning. The same goes for phones that worn during a lightning storm is not possible, but above all should not be used.
is not unimportant, according to DWD expert Günther Delfs also known as step voltage. This occurs when the legs are not closely enough together. Even if the flash point of impact is removed, the funnel-shaped propagating electric current entering on one leg in the body and the farther out again. The electric currents flowing through the body can thus still be living dangerously high.
Immediately help
"Is it already been a lightning with personal injury, should be called in emergency in any case," said Stefan Osche of the German Red Cross (DRK) in Berlin. As first responders but also bystanders are addressed directly. The possible violations supply while according to an accident involving power. That is, immediate Kontolle of cardiac and circulatory functions, stabilization and, where appropriate, ventilation and re-population trials which are usually rewarded with a good chance of success. Fear of residual stress have no need to because the flash will be quickly dissipated, and thus ineffective for is added later. "And that lightning strikes twice in the same location is unlikely, "says Stefan Osche from the DRC.
but it was important to note that victims are often in their hearing debilitating and therefore difficult to respond. "The eardrum can be damaged by the enormous clap of thunder," said Osh. ER therefore recommends to ensure, especially on those signs specifically. "These people should be assisted in any case in medical treatment." Hearing loss could be in otherwise externally intact but people acting en regard to other possible adverse effects as a result of a lightning strike: "In retrospect occurring cardiac arrhythmia are not excluded "
Found in: AOK business newspaper." current practice "03/2009
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