We're having a lot of people in our area hit by lightning recently. I think that being cautious is the best idea in this situation. If you don't want to go home, pull onthe shore and wait it out. Being in the woods is different (though still a risk) than being under the only tree in the area. Your safest place is in the car with the windows up. Of course, then you die from the heat.
When I was younger, there was a short in one of our local swimming pools, and we learned the hard way about the conductivity of water. The first one in was the rotten (ie hard boiled) egg. On 7/9/07, Chuck Alexander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Bill: I definitely put down the "Lightening Rod" and head for home.. My problem is the lake is HUGE.. It's the watershed for local towns and from the boat launch to where I often fish is nearly 2 miles, and using trolling motor only (that is all that is allowed) it is at least 25 minutes to the ramp..This time of the year it can be Sunny and clear.. Next minute BAM.. Lightening everywhere..I'm just trying to be as safe as possible cause I was standing in the yard one day a few years ago and lightening struck the Wood Heater smoke stack that I was only about 25 ft away from, and it was such a fireball, I was nearly blind for three days.. Scared the heck outta Me.. I've been very afraid of lightening ever since, Chuck ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Bill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *To:* [email protected] *Sent:* Monday, July 09, 2007 3:36 PM *Subject:* Fw: [VFB] Boating Safety Question I have fished out of aluminum Jon boats for 38 years and have never heard of anyone getting hit by lightening. With that said i think your pretty csafe no matter what you do i for one put down my graphite rods and depending if it's going to keep up i may or may not head for the house.. ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Chuck Alexander<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *To:* [email protected] *Sent:* Monday, July 09, 2007 3:52 PM *Subject:* [VFB] Boating Safety Question Folks: I've had something that I have wondered about in boating safety.. Now that we are getting rain for the first time in months, and some thunder and lightening to go with it.. I have an aluminum Jon boat.. The lake I most often fish is lined with very tall pine and oak trees.. They say lightening usually strikes the highest or tallest point..But, they also say that since lightening is attracted to water, then it will strike the highest point ON the water. But it also strikes metal easily.. So, if I am in my boat and it starts lightening which would be the safest measure??? 1. Stay in the middle of the lake going to the launch, thus being the lowest point around (but, I'd be the TALLEST point in or on the water) ? 2. Hug the bank (but that puts me closer to the tall trees)?? 3. Get on the nearest bank and out of the metal boat till the lightening passes (but that would put me under those tall trees)? Thanks... Chuck
