Lightning and Lightning Safety for Fly Fishermen
submitted by Kirk Mathew
Last month, we ran an article on how to avoid lightning strikes while out on the water in a boat. This month, we are featuring an article that deals with the worst-case scenario in which someone has been struck.
The main thing a group of fly fishermen caught out in a thunderstorm should do is to put down their rods and separate by as much as possible. This reduces the chance that all of them will be struck. If during the storm some of them are struck, time is critical in administering aid. After a lightning strike involving several persons the intensive and immediate care should be given to the victims who are unconscious or possibly deceased. They may have sustained damage to the heart or nervous system that can be reversed by giving immediate, sustained life support. An old wives tale has victims of a strike retaining electrical charge and are therefore unsafe to approach. That is not true! Those victims showing signs of life after a strike will likely recover, though they may have injuries that will need later treatment. All victims should have cervical spine precautions taken (a cervical collar should be applied to the victim's neck) as they may have suffered these injuries.
Long term effects to a lightning strike survivor may include but are not limited to:
cardiac damage
amnesia
brain damage
numbness and weakness
Parkinsonian Syndrome
cataracts
deafness
fatigue
sleep disorders
concentration problems
Anyone struck by lightning should seek medical attention ASAP in an effort to minimize adverse, long term effect. An excellent source of information and support for both lightning strike survivors and their families is the Lightning Strike and Electrical Shock Survivors International, Inc. located in Jacksonville, NC.
As with all dangerous situations, the best way to handle thunderstorms and lightning is to avoid them. In the case of thunderstorms and outdoorsmen, avoidance may not be possible. Knowledge of thunderstorms and lightning strikes is the ways to best way to protect themselves. In the case of a lightning strike on people, the best course is to institute resuscitation techniques.
Ideally, every fisherman should know basic life support. If you don't, consider signing up for a class. A basic first aid kit should be on hand to handle trauma injuries. Lightning strike survivors are likely to have some degree of lasting, adverse effects. These are best addressed by medical professionals, to minimize them.