This publication is written by the Safety Education Committee, United States Sports Insurance Corporation, USA Swimming Member Services staff, and contributing editors. It is sent to LSC Safety Chairs, General Chairs and LSC Permanent Offices. LSC Safety Chairs should distribute the newsletter to all their Club Safety Coordinators . The following information was sent to USA Swimming from National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott Wiley, a former diver.
Summer is the most dangerous season for lightning deaths and injuries.
Nearly 100 people die from lightning strikes each year, and hundreds are injured. If you see lightning or hear thunder, you are a potential target for a lightning strike. For each five seconds you count between seeing the lightning flash and hearing the thunder, there is one mile between you and that lightning strike. Pools that have obstructed views should evacuate anytime thunder is heard. Thunder usually becomes audible within ten miles of the thunderstorm.