How Can Lightning Strikes Be Prevented?

• “If thunder roars – GO INDOORS!”  Everyone should be in safe zones BEFORE lightning reaches the playing field.
• If a storm is suspected or lightning/thunder is observed all outdoor activities should be suspended and athletes/spectators should head to “lightning safe” facilities until the weather clears.
  • A “lightning safe” facility is a fully enclosed building with both plumbing and wiring.
  • Concession stands, pavilions, standing under trees, equipment sheds, and tents are not considered lightning safe and lightning can still strike people within these locations.
  • If a fully enclosed building is not available, people should go inside a car or bus with the windows fully closed and doors shut.
• Establish a lightning policy within the venue’s emergency action plan. The policy should include the following:
  • A chain of command to alert appropriate personnel of an impending storm. This person must have recognized and unchallengeable authority to suspend activity.
  • Designation of “lightning safe” facilities for evacuations
  • Plan for evacuating athletes and spectators, accounting for large crowds
  • Monitoring local weather forecasts
    • http://www.weather.gov
    • http://www.spc.noaa.gov
  • Know the phone number for the LOCAL weather service to have up-to-date weather updates
  • Specific criteria for the suspension and resumption of play
• Educate athletes, parents, coaches, referees, etc. about the dangers of lightning producing storms and the appropriate actions to take in the event of a storm.
• Establish several methods for alerting spectators of an incoming storm including a speaker system, text messages, staff announcements, etc and give pre-event warnings, make patrons aware of visual signs to safe zones, etc.

When Do You Suspend/resume Play During a Storm?

• All activity should be suspended upon the first observable lightning strike OR sound of thunder
• A proactive approach can also be taken using the local weather service and listening to warnings. If a warning is given by a weather service it is recommended to suspend activity even if lightning/thunder has not been observed at the playing field.
• Play may resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder/observable flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts EVERY TIME A NEW LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER SOUND IS HEARD.

Look for These Symptoms in Athletes When a Lightning Strike is Suspected:

Table 1. Signs and symptoms of a lightning victim.

Adapted from: Walsh K, Cooper MA. Lightning. In: Casa DJ, ed. Preventing Sudden Death in Sport and Physical Activity. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2012: 332.

How Do You Treat a Lightning Strike Victim?

There is no need to worry about getting an electric shock from the victim. The flow of electricity traveled through the victim and there is no charge that is stored.  Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die, so first aid, and CPR are likely to be needed immediately.

In the event of a lightning strike the following steps should be taken to ensure your safety and to treat the appropriate people:

1. Make sure the scene is safe to treat the lightning victims. You should not place yourself in harm if danger is imminent.
2. Activate EMS (or have someone else activate EMS if you are the one providing care).
3. Be prepared to treat people in cardiac arrest, have severe burns, shock, fractures, and other trauma.
   1. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator, if one is available, as well as other basic first aid materials.
4. Treat the victim that appears most severely injured first (if there is more than one victim). This victim is in the worst condition and timely care needs to be taken to maximize chances of survival.
   1. The basic principle of triage, “treat the living firstm” should be reversed in patients struck by lightning.
5. If needed and capable move the victim to a safe area for treatment

When Can a Lightning Strike Victim Return to Activity?

Once the individual has been treated and followed up and cleared by appropriate medical personnel, the athlete may begin a gradual return to activity protocol. The timeline for return to play is dependent upon the severity of the lightning strike and the inflicting injuries. The table below describes some possible neurological damage that may occur with a lightning strike victim.

Adapted from: Walsh K, Cooper MA. Lightning. In: Casa DJ, ed. Preventing Sudden Death in Sport and Physical Activity. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2012: 332.