Bone, tendon and fat have a high resistance and tend to heat up and coagulate rather than transmit current. Skin is the primary resistor to the flow of current into the body. Much of the energy may be dissipated at the skin's surface, causing significant surface burns in a heavily calloused area. For example, current passing close to the eyes can cause cataracts. Ron Holle, a research meteorologist at the National Severe Storms laboratory in Norman, Okla., researches lightning strikes and has published papers on the phenomenon of people being struck by lightning.
Lightning does strike quite a distance away from one flash to another.
Do not go back outside until at least 30 minutes without lightning and thunder have passed. However, even with precautions, one cannot be assured of avoiding danger. Wayne State University's Dr. Carol Premo was golfing with a friend in 1981 when it started to rain. There was no lightning or thunder, but to be safe, they began to walk toward the clubhouse. Just as she started walking, Premo remembers, she felt the sensation of electricity going through her body.