Lightning strikes: What happens in the body and how to protect yourself

The last few days have brought Switzerland not only heavy thunderstorms, but also a lot of lightning (see video above). Although they usually strike high places, they can also hit people. Meredyth Willtis experienced this in Florida. It also happens here, for example in Graubünden at the beginning of August.

In both cases, those struck by lightning survived. But that is not always the case.

A lightning bolt releases a massive electrical voltage in the flash fraction of a millisecond. If it strikes a person, the voltage on the body rises to several 100,000 volts. The vast majority of the lightning current does not fly through the person, but rather on the surface of the body. This is why people can survive a lightning strike.

Whether and how a person survives a lightning strike depends on where and how one is struck:

The point where the lightning strikes also plays a role. In general, it is not as bad for the body, but a strike to the head can cause life-threatening damage such as brain hemorrhages, strokes and swelling. “If you get a full strike to the head, almost everyone dies,” says Berthold Schalke, a neurologist and expert on lightning injuries at the Regensburg District Hospital. But that is rare: only about ten to 20 percent of all those struck by lightning die.

Those who survive often have to deal with health problems. Some are only temporary, others are permanent: burns can occur at the entry and exit points. Metal objects worn on the body can leave so-called electrical marks on the skin. Cardiac arrhythmias and high blood pressure can also be a consequence, as can vision or walking problems. According to researchers at the Regensburg University Hospital, many sufferers also report neurological problems such as tingling, numbness or daytime tiredness. The reason is probably the course of the current in the body. When the energy flows through the body, it flows through the vessels and the peripheral nervous system. There it destroys the nerve fibers that control movements and report sensations.

Some lightning victims also report psychological problems such as depression and difficulty concentrating – “symptoms similar to those of football players,” May Ann Cooper, a lightning protection expert with the National Lightning Safety Council, told Livescience.com. They are thought to be caused by a combination of tissue damage from the electricity and blunt force trauma from the abrupt change in air pressure.

Suicidal thoughts are also common among survivors, Steve Mashburn told the Washington Post. Mashburn was himself struck by lightning in 1969 and runs an international support group for lightning strike survivors. In addition to a broken back, he also suffered migraines, insomnia, kidney problems, panic attacks and seizures.

Experts recommend checking the weather before spending a long time outdoors. If you are caught in a thunderstorm, you should find a safe place. The best places are cars that are Faraday cages or buildings with lightning rods. Simple huts are not enough.

If that is not possible, you should go to a place that is as low as possible and crouch down with your feet together. Lightning always strikes the highest point in the area. On the way to this point, your feet should also be as close together as possible. That is why it is better to hop than to run.

When squatting, you should keep enough distance from other people and trees. This will prevent the rollover effect from occurring. You should also put down all metal objects. This applies to umbrellas, golf clubs and bicycles, for example.

Experts like Cooper also recommend waiting after a thunderstorm: “Don't come out again until there has been no lightning or thunder for 30 minutes.”

The BFU also provides further lightning protection tips for various situations.