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Struck by lightning on a beach in Greece, a teenager died while running for shelter. How can you protect yourself? Recommendations from Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician.
On June 28, the lightning fell on a 13-year-old girl on a Greek beach in the north of the country. Dorothea was swimming with her parents when a violent storm broke out. The family went outside to collect their belongings and take shelter in the car, that’s when a lightning bolt struck the young girl. Her father tried to resuscitate his daughter in vain. Taken to hospital, she was eventually pronounced dead.
What to do and not to do in case of a thunderstorm?
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician, medical director of Doctissimo and author of Have the right reflexespublished by Fayard, specifies: “The first thing to do when you are caught in a storm is to take shelter.”. Where are the safest places?It is possible to take refuge in an enclosed building, by moving away from the windows” recommends the doctor. “On the other hand, forget the bus shelter, because it is open to all winds and does not offer sufficient protection.“.
The car is a good option, but with conditions. “It must not be a convertible model and it must not be parked under a tree. It must have a metal roof, because if lightning strikes your vehicle, it will then act as a Faraday cage, that is, a protective covering that will deflect the current into the ground.”.
On the contrary, what are the places to absolutely avoid?
“Fields or flat land such as beaches should be avoided” the doctor answers immediately.Do not take shelter under a tree either because if lightning strikes, the tree will not protect you. In addition to receiving an electric shock or attracting lightning, you could be injured by the falling tree or branch.”. On a beach, the human is often the highest point, and the proximity of the water increases the risk.
Furthermore, it is also important to know that in the mountains, caves and cavities are not good shelters.On the contrary, they attract lightning inside” warns Gérald Kierzek, who also reminds us to move away “watering places, plains and rocky facades”.
“The typical example is that of the hiker. In the wilderness, when you are caught in a storm, you simply have to sit on your backpack, feet together, and your head on your knees. The goal is to avoid contact with the ground as much as possible in case lightning strikes near you. If you do not have a bag to act as insulation, stay crouched down and your head on your knees.” explains our expert.
Good to know : “If you are in a group, move about ten meters away from each other. Since the human body is a conductor, lightning can pass from one person to another and thus cause several victims. By moving far enough away, this prevents the whole group from being struck by lightning and it will be easier to come to the aid of the injured person and alert the emergency services.” advises Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
What are the safety instructions to know?
“If the weather forecast predicts a storm, cancel your outdoor activities and do not take your bike or motorcycle, do not go to the beach. And if you are driving, slow down and be careful” rcall the emergency doctor.”It is best to stay safe inside your home, by closing windows and staying away from them. And as a final precaution: do not touch metal objects that may be conductive, such as water pipes, faucets, your stove, etc. concludes the doctor.