Why You Need to Take Lightning Safety Seriously

On our most recent GMRS Community Net, our Net Control discussed a tragic reminder of nature's swift, unforgiving power.

Two young, experienced elk hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, were found deceased in the rugged San Juan Wilderness after a lightning strike. Authorities confirmed they were likely killed instantly, found below a tree.

This heartbreaking event underscores a vital truth: no outdoor activity is worth risking your life when thunder is near. While many myths persist about lightning, preparedness and seeking immediate shelter are the only sure ways to survive a severe storm.

The Golden Rule: The 30/30 Safety Protocol

The most critical safety guideline is known as the 30/30 rule. It's your immediate action plan for outdoor safety:

• First 30: When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is close enough to be dangerous—seek shelter immediately.

• Second 30: Stay in your safe shelter until at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

Where to Find Safe Shelter

The only true safe places are structures that offer full protection.

1. Sturdy Buildings: A substantial, enclosed building with plumbing and electricity is the safest option.

2. Fully Enclosed Metal Vehicles: A fully enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with the windows rolled up is the second-safest option.

If You Are Caught in the Open

If you cannot reach a safe building or vehicle, you are not safe anywhere outdoors. However, you can slightly reduce your risk by taking immediate action.

• Get Low to the Ground: Move to a ditch or low-lying area to get below the tree line and away from tall, isolated objects.

• Avoid Isolated Trees: Do not shelter under or near isolated trees. As the Colorado tragedy sadly demonstrated, being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties.

• Assume the Lightning Crouch (Last Resort): Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked, hands over your ears, and your feet close together. This minimizes your contact with the ground and reduces your exposure to a lightning strike. Do not lie flat, as this increases your risk of being affected by deadly ground current.

• Spread Out in a Group: If you are with others, separate immediately. People in groups should find shelter at least 20 meters away from one another to avoid multiple people being struck by the same lightning bolt.

What Else to Avoid Outdoors

• Water: Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.

• Conductive Objects: Stay away from barbed wire fences, metal fences, power lines, and windmills. Avoid utility poles, tractors, and motorcycles.

• High Areas: Stay away from hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.

• Overpasses and Bridges: These do not provide safe shelter.

Lightning Myths vs. Facts

Understanding the difference between myth and fact can save your life. Here are 13 Myths vs Facts that could save your life.

Myth	Fact
"If you're caught outside, you should crouch down to reduce your risk."	Crouching doesn't make you any safer outdoors. Run to a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors.
"Lightning never strikes the same place twice."	Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year.
"If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, I’m safe from lightning."	Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10–15 miles away from the thunderstorm.
"A lightning victim is electrified. If I touch them, I’ll be electrocuted."	The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid.
"If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry."	Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried!
"If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning."	A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity (corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors, and windows) .
"It is okay to finish a game before seeking shelter."	Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. No game is worth death or life-long injuries.
"Metal structures or metal on the body attract lightning."	Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes.
"If trapped outside, I should lie flat on the ground."	Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current.
"Lightning flashes are 3-4 km apart."	New data shows half the flashes are about 9 km apart. Safety rules need to be modified to increase the distance considered safe to at least 10 to 13 km (6 to 8 miles).
"A High Percentage of Lightning Flashes Are Forked."	Many cloud-to-ground lightning flashes have forked or multiple attachment points to earth. This has been verified in at least half of negative flashes and more than 70% of positive flashes.
"Lightning Can Spread out Some 60 Feet After Striking Earth."	Radial horizontal arcing has been measured at least 20 m from the point where lightning hits the ground.

The deaths of Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko serve as a stark, recent reminder that lightning is a clear and present danger. Seek proper shelter immediately if you hear thunder, and remember the 30/30 rule.

You can learn more about the tragic incident that highlights the dangers of lightning exposure in the mountains by viewing the report on Lightning strike caused deaths of 2 hunters in Colorado mountains, coroner says.