Number range CHAPTER**LIGHTNING KILLS**

**Play It Safe !**

Each year in the United States, more than four hundred people in the
U.S. are struck by lightning. On average, about 70 people are killed and
many others suffer permanent neurological disabilities. Most of these
tragedies can be avoided if proper precautions are taken. When
thunderstorms threaten, coaches and sports officials must not let the
desire to start or complete an athletic activity hinder their judgment
when the safety of participants and spectators is in jeopardy.

***It is important for coaches and officials to know some basic facts
about lightning and its dangers***

1.  **All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous.** In an
    average year, lightning kills more people in the U.S. than either
    tornadoes or hurricanes.

2.  **Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain and may
    strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall.** Many deaths from
    lightning occur ahead of storms because people wait too long before
    seeking shelter, or after storms because people return outside too
    soon.

3.  **If you hear thunder, you are in danger.** Anytime thunder is
    heard, the thunderstorm is close enough to pose an immediate
    lightning threat to your location.

4.  **Lightning leaves many victims with permanent disabilities**. While
    only a small percentage of lightning strike victims die, many
    survivors must learn to live with very serious, life-long
    disabilities.

***To avoid exposing athletes and spectators to the risk of lightning
take the following precautions***

5.  **Postpone activities if thunderstorms are imminent.** Prior to the
    event, check the latest forecast and, when necessary, postpone
    activities early to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
    Stormy weather can endanger the lives of participants, staff, and
    spectators.

6.  **Plan ahead.** Have a lightning safety plan. Know where people will
    go for safety, and know how much time it will take for them to get
    there. Have specific guidelines for suspending the event or activity
    so that everyone has time to reach safety before the threat becomes
    significant. Follow the plan without exception.

7.  **Keep an eye on the sky.** Pay attention to weather clues that may
    warn of imminent danger. Look for darkening skies, flashes of
    lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching
    thunderstorm.

8.  **Listen for thunder.** If you hear thunder, immediately suspend
    your event and instruct everyone to get to a safe place. Substantial
    buildings provide the best protection. Once inside, stay off corded
    phones, and stay away from any wiring or plumbing. Avoid sheds,
    small or open shelters, dugouts, bleachers, or grandstands. If a
    sturdy building is not nearby, a hard-topped metal vehicle with the
    windows closed will offer good protection, but avoid touching any
    metal.

9.  **Stay away from open areas and tall objects like trees, stages,
    towers, and utility poles.**

10. **Lightning can travel long distances through metal so stay away
    from bleachers, backstops, and fences.**

11. **Do not resume activities until 30 minutes have passed since the
    last thunder was heard.**

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12. **As a further safety measure, officials at outdoor events may want
    to have a tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio.** The radio will allow you
    to monitor any short-term forecasts for changing weather conditions,
    and the tone-alert feature can automatically alert you in case a
    severe thunderstorm watch or warning is issued. To find your nearest
    NOAA weather radio transmitter, go to
    [[http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/]{.underline}](http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/)
    and click on "Station Listing and Coverage."

***If you feel your hair stand on end (indicating lightning is about to
strike)***

13. **Crouch down on the balls of your feet, put your hands on your
    knees, and bend your head down.** Make yourself as small a target as
    possible and minimize your contact with the ground.

**NOAA**

14. **Do not lie flat on the ground.**

***What to do if someone is struck by lightning***

15. **Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to
    handle, and need immediate medical attention.**

16. **Call for help.** Have someone call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance
    service. Medical attention is needed as quickly as possible.

17. **Give first aid**. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death
    in lightning fatalities. However, some deaths can be prevented if
    the victim receives the proper first aid immediately. Check the
    victim to see that they are breathing and have a pulse and continue
    to monitor the victim until help arrives. Begin CPR if necessary.

18. **If possible, move the victim to a safer place.** An active
    thunderstorm is still dangerous. Don't let the rescuers become
    victims. Lightning CAN strike the same place twice.

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**NOAA *STAY INFORMED ***

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest forecast and for any severe
thunderstorm WATCHES or WARNINGS. Severe thunderstorms produce winds of
58 mph or greater, or hail 3/4 of an inch or larger in diameter.

**A severe thunderstorm WATCH is issued** when conditions are favorable
for severe weather to develop.

**A severe thunderstorm WARNING is issued** when severe weather is
imminent. National Weather Service personnel use information from
weather radar, satellite, lightning detection, spotters, and other
sources to issue these warnings.

**NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS THE BEST WAY TO RECEIVE FORECASTS AND WARNINGS
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.**![](media/image1.emf){width="1.0in"
height="1.0in"}

**Remember that all thunderstorms produce lightning and all lightning
can be deadly to those outside**.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week is the last full week of June. For
additional information on lightning or lightning safety, visit our web
site:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

or contact us at:

> **National Weather Service**
>
> **P.O. Box 1208**
>
> **Gray, Maine 04039**

GYX 0301 (March 2003) - revised

***Coach's and Sports Official's Guide to Lightning Safety\...***

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**NOAA**

***LIGHTNING\...***

***the underrated killer!***

**A SAFETY GUIDE**

**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE**

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**NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION**

**NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE**

**Gray, Maine**

This safety guide has been prepared to help coaches and sports officials
recognize the dangers of lightning and take appropriate safety
precautions.