Lightning Strikes: Debunking Myths and Staying Safe
Lightning Strikes: Advising on Protection when Thunderstorms Approach (No Preference for Beech or Oak Trees) - Seek shelter immediately during lightning to ensure your safety.
Get the fictional scare tales about lightning out of your head, especially the one about seeking refuge under beech trees and eschewing oaks and willows! That's straight-up nonsense, according to forensic pathologist Fred Zack, who's spent nearly three decades probing the often lethal consequences of lightning strikes. In his gripping new non-fiction book, Zack debunks such myths and sets the record straight.
"Avoid all trees during a storm!" Zack advises, brushing aside the old wives' tale that's perpetuated by a catchy rhyme. The 65-year-old continues to work as a freelancer at Rostock's Institute of Legal Medicine, and his new book for the general public, "Lightning Strikes: Knowledge, Myths, and How to Protect Yourself Optimally," follows a medical textbook. Zack's objective? To educate folks beyond just the medical magnate, empowering them with information that could save lives.
Ah, the saying about being "struck by lightning out of a clear blue sky"? Thanks for bringing it up, 'cause it's spot-on accurate—in stark contrast to the advice about beech trees. Unlike the foggy folklore, lightning can indeed strike several kilometers from its source and occur during bright, clear conditions. "The sun's out? The rain's just a drizzle? None of that matters to lightning," Zack explains. Approximately ten to thirteen percent of all fatal cases involve lightning that appears out of nowhere.
Last year in Germany, lightning struck an astounding 209,619 times—on average, every two and a half minutes. Bavaria suffered the brunt with 56,664 strikes, closely followed by Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 11,880 strikes. These statistics, provided by Aldis/Blids, count only ground strikes, not discharges within the clouds.
The power of lightning, as Zack points out, isn't typically measured in current strength (amperes) but by a mind-boggling temperature of 30,000°C. That heat can vaporize gold chains and leave behind a burnt imprint on skin.
Broad, open spaces like golf courses and football fields can be particularly perilous during thunderstorms. Incidents of football players being injured or killed by lightning are all too common—a chilling reminder of how the beastly phenomenon doesn't discriminate.
So, what are the odds of getting zapped in Germany? Slim-to-none, by all accounts. But in countries like India or those in South America, lightning strikes occur much more frequently, resulting in an estimated 3,000 deaths annually and around 30,000 victims. Consequently, Zack’s textbook, crafted specifically for medical professionals, was published in English in 2024 to reach a global audience.
But let's cut to the chase: is there anything the common folk can do to dramatically decrease the likelihood of being struck by lightning? Zack's book kicks off with one invaluable piece of advice: "When thunder roars, GO INDOORS!" Simple yet powerful, until you've read this book, take it to heart.
- Book
- Lightning Strikes
- Germany
- Rostock
- Folklore
- Thunderstorm
- Fred
- India
- Safety Measures
- Avoidance
- Football Fields
- "In his extensive research on lightning strikes, forensic pathologist Fred Zack delves into the world of science to dispel the myths, offering valuable insights not just for medical professionals but also for the general public, particularly in the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health."
- "Furthermore, the Commission, working on a directive on the protection of the environment, might find it interesting to learn about the impact of excessive weather events, like thunderstorms, on human safety-and-exercise and nutrition, as highlighted in Zack's book."
- "Moreover, as lightning can still strike under seemingly calm conditions, staying informed about weather patterns and ensuing thunderstorms is essential for fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts and people focusing on nutrition, ensuring they take appropriate measures to protect themselves."
