Learning about lightning the hard way

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Posted Tuesday, 22 July 2008, 10:08 HST @756

Does anyone need a reminder about lightning and electronic equipment? It’s a bad idea to do the following while lightning is in the vicinity, especially if you are outside and near tall trees;

Listen to a radio
Listen to an iPod
Use a personal computer
Operate a video recorder

The woman who shot this video was hit by lightning - and it’s all on tape, including her scream. She lived:

From what i understand, it went through my left hand holding the camera, crossed my back and exited out of my right hand holding onto the metal railing. No entry or exit wounds, as i was not directly struck, i got just a really good zap from one of the “finger arcs” that happen when lightning hits.

See the comments and the video on Flickr (via BoingBoing and LaughingSquid).

Tags: electricity, lightning, safety, USA, video

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2 responses so far ↓

1 Daniel Peters // Wednesday, 23 July 2008, 01:19 HST @388

Ah, I recall seeing this on Digg. There was quite a bit of discussion as to whether or not she was actually hit. Being close enough to feel the “leader,” or one of the weaker side paths that the lightning bolt could have taken, is still quite an amazing thing. Luckily, she wasn’t emitting a strong enough electric field to attract the full brunt of the lightning strike.

I’m rather fond of thunder and lightning. Despite this, I’m well aware that we’re lucky here in Hawaii not to have much lightning. It’s all to easy to forget that it’s an actual danger.

I wonder if there are any ongoing projects to harness lightning? It would be nice if naturally occurring electricity could charge my car some day in the future.
2 billso // Wednesday, 23 July 2008, 09:01 HST @709

She got a glancing blow.

Having grown up in the lightning capital of the continent, I enjoy a good thunderstorm.