# AI advises crouching flat on the ground during a lightning storm to minimize height

- **ID:** `disaster/lightning-crouch-flat-ground`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 78%

## Root Cause

Lying flat on the ground increases the risk of ground current (step potential) traveling through the body; lightning current spreads radially from the strike point, and a prone position creates a larger voltage gradient across the body length, causing cardiac arrest or burns.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NWS Lightning Safety Guidelines 2024 | active | — | — |
| NFPA 780 Lightning Protection Standard 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use the lightning crouch: feet together, squat low, hands over ears, elbows on knees, head tucked. This minimizes body height and reduces step potential by keeping feet close: `echo 'Lightning crouch: feet together, squat, hands over ears, elbows on knees' | tee /tmp/lightning_safety.txt`** (85% success)
   ```
   Use the lightning crouch: feet together, squat low, hands over ears, elbows on knees, head tucked. This minimizes body height and reduces step potential by keeping feet close: `echo 'Lightning crouch: feet together, squat, hands over ears, elbows on knees' | tee /tmp/lightning_safety.txt`
   ```
2. **Seek substantial shelter (enclosed building or hard-topped metal vehicle) immediately; stay away from windows, plumbing, and electrical appliances** (95% success)
   ```
   Seek substantial shelter (enclosed building or hard-topped metal vehicle) immediately; stay away from windows, plumbing, and electrical appliances
   ```
3. **If caught in open with no shelter, stay at least 20 feet apart from others to reduce group injury risk; use lightning crouch, do not lie flat** (75% success)
   ```
   If caught in open with no shelter, stay at least 20 feet apart from others to reduce group injury risk; use lightning crouch, do not lie flat
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Lie flat on the ground to be the smallest target** — Reduces direct strike risk slightly but dramatically increases ground current injury; the heart and brain are in the current path (92% fail)
- **Crouch on tiptoes to reduce contact area** — Tiptoes do not significantly reduce step potential; the body still forms a large voltage gradient from feet to head; also unstable and causes falls (88% fail)
- **Hide under a tree for shelter** — Trees attract lightning; a strike can jump to a person nearby (side flash); tree may explode or catch fire (95% fail)