EU: Greece in first place with lightning victims – Protection instructions

by

What to do if we are outside the house and lightning strikes – First aid in case someone is struck by lightning

Citizens should be aware of the guidelines lightning protection, and not to underestimate the dangerous natural phenomenon, as Greece is high in the table of recorded deaths of people in Europe, who were struck by lightning. “Unfortunately, Greece has probably the most deaths from lightning strikes than other countries in Europe. We are struck by lightning as a country and it is not a phenomenon of recent years”, said the training director of the Hellenic Rescue Team, Zafiris Trombakasin an interview he gave to the APE-MPE radio station, “Agency Fm104.9”, on the occasion of the accident in Drama, where a 55-year-old mountaineer was killed instantly, when he was struck by lightning that fell a few meters before the end of a mountain endurance race.

“Lightning can kill, injure or cause major damage. What people should know is that when lightning strikes we don’t step, we don’t take long strides, we don’t even run. When a lightning strikes, an epidermal phenomenon follows on the earth’s surface, with the current creating concentric circles. So as someone walks, the current passes from one side to the other and chooses to pass through the human body, to travel rather than follow the concentric circles of the Earth”, explained Mr. Trobakas, who for 42 years has been actively participating in operations of the Hellenic Rescue Team.

Regarding the case of the 55-year-old who died in Drama, he noted that the lightning did not strike him, but very close and while he was walking.

What do we do if we are outside the house and lightning strikes?

Mr. Trombakas advised that when someone is outside the urban fabric, they should keep their hands together and not come close to another person and stand still. If required to move then do so with very small steps and one foot next to the other.

Also, as he pointed out, it is very important “in case there is a child together not to walk together hand in hand”, and “pets not to wear a leash”. “If lightning strikes five meters away and we’re standing with our feet together, all it will do is throw us off the shockwave and create a periodic deafness. That’s why the quadrupeds are killed first, such as goats, flocks, dogs, horses that don’t stay still and run at a great trot,” he explains.

In the car or at home

Regarding the protection directives while driving, he noted that this “shields” from lightning strikes and “it is safe to be the citizens inside the vehicle, unlike bicyclists.”

“A decade ago, lightning struck the Thessaloniki-N.Moudanion highway and killed a motorcycle driver, while those in the car were unharmed. In the motorcycle, the different potential was done, the front wheel with the rear, the road surface and the tires were wet, everything was conductive and the current reached the human body. In I.X. someone is absolutely protected, as long as he doesn’t touch the side of the door,” explained Mr. Trombakas.

First aid in case someone is struck by lightning

As soon as lightning strikes and an injury is recorded, first aid can be given immediately. “Man is not a capacitor, he will not hold the current to be transferred to us instantaneously. It goes away in a few seconds and usually causes cardiac arrest whenever a defibrillator is available to revive the person who has been hit, just like with CPR,” noted the rescuer.

RES-EMP

You May Also Like

Recommended for you