LightningLightning

Neal Wallen March 15, 2012Neal Wallen March 15, 2012

Myths and FactsMyths and Facts

MythMyth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, : If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.you’re safe from lightning.

Fact: Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or

thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm. 15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Myths and FactsMyths and Facts

MythMyth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter : If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry.under a tree to stay dry.

Fact: Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried! of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried!

Myths and FactsMyths and Facts

MythMyth: If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside : If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter.playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter.

Fact: Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. No game is worth death or not seek shelter soon enough. No game is worth death or life-long injuries. Seek proper shelter immediately if you life-long injuries. Seek proper shelter immediately if you

hear thunder. Adults are responsible for the safety of hear thunder. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. children.

ASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyASA Guidelines for Lightning Safety

One Umpire - home plate umpire should be responsible One Umpire - home plate umpire should be responsible for the duties of the “weather watcher.” The individual will for the duties of the “weather watcher.” The individual will make the call to stop play, remove individuals from the make the call to stop play, remove individuals from the field, and announce a warning to the spectators. field, and announce a warning to the spectators.

More than one umpire - the home plate umpire should More than one umpire - the home plate umpire should assign a weather watcher assign a weather watcher

When the weather becomes dangerous, the designated When the weather becomes dangerous, the designated weather watcher will announce that all play activities are weather watcher will announce that all play activities are suspended and all individuals, both players and suspended and all individuals, both players and spectators, should seek appropriate shelter.spectators, should seek appropriate shelter.

ASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyUse Common SenseUse Common Sense

Use his/her common sense and good judgment. If a Use his/her common sense and good judgment. If a thunderstorm appears imminent before or during an activity thunderstorm appears imminent before or during an activity or contest (regardless of whether lightning is seen or or contest (regardless of whether lightning is seen or thunder heard), postpone or suspend the activity until the thunder heard), postpone or suspend the activity until the hazard has passed. hazard has passed.

Signs of imminent thunderstorm activity are darkening Signs of imminent thunderstorm activity are darkening clouds, high winds and thunder or lightning. Even storms clouds, high winds and thunder or lightning. Even storms that are many miles away can pose a lightning danger. that are many miles away can pose a lightning danger. This may mean the appropriate decision is to suspend This may mean the appropriate decision is to suspend activities even before the first sight of lightning or sound of activities even before the first sight of lightning or sound of thunder. thunder.

Safety is the number one consideration, the activity can be Safety is the number one consideration, the activity can be made up later. made up later.

ASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyAppropriate ShelterAppropriate Shelter

Large, enclosed structures (substantially constructed Large, enclosed structures (substantially constructed buildings) tend to be safer than smaller structures or buildings) tend to be safer than smaller structures or open structures. In general, a fully enclosed vehicle with open structures. In general, a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up tends to be safer than being the windows rolled up tends to be safer than being outside so long as contact with metal surfaces inside and outside so long as contact with metal surfaces inside and outside the vehicle is avoided. outside the vehicle is avoided.

Avoid - Any area of higher elevation; wide-open areas Avoid - Any area of higher elevation; wide-open areas such as sports fields, tall isolated objects such as flag such as sports fields, tall isolated objects such as flag poles, light poles, or trees; metal fences and metal poles, light poles, or trees; metal fences and metal bleachers, unprotected open buildings like dugouts, bleachers, unprotected open buildings like dugouts, picnic pavilions, rain shelters and bus stops. picnic pavilions, rain shelters and bus stops.

ASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetyASA Guidelines for Lightning SafetySuspended GameSuspended Game

wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or sound of thunder prior to resuming activity. sound of thunder prior to resuming activity.

Each time additional lightning is observed or thunder is Each time additional lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the minimum 30-minute waiting period should be heard, the minimum 30-minute waiting period should be reset. reset.

A clear sky or lack of rainfall are not adequate indicators A clear sky or lack of rainfall are not adequate indicators for resuming play. for resuming play.

The minimum 30-minute return-to-play waiting period The minimum 30-minute return-to-play waiting period should not be shortened. Play should not be resumed should not be shortened. Play should not be resumed even after the 30 minute waiting period if any signs of even after the 30 minute waiting period if any signs of thunderstorm activity remain in the area or if the weather thunderstorm activity remain in the area or if the weather forecast indicates the threat is not over. forecast indicates the threat is not over.

NO LIGHTNING SAFETY GUIDELINES CAN GUARANTEE ABSOLUTE SAFETY. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY PERSON TO BE AWARE OF

WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE

SAFE. USE COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT. PLAN AHEAD

AND MAKE SAFETY YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.