disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises crouching flat on the ground during a lightning storm to minimize height (increased ground current risk)

ID: disaster/lightning-crouch-flat-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文

75%Fix Rate

85%Confidence

1Evidence

2024-03-15First Seen

Root Cause

Crouching flat on the ground during a lightning storm increases the risk of ground current traveling through the body; the correct action is to crouch on the balls of the feet, minimizing contact area with the ground.

generic

中文

雷暴期间平躺在地面上会增加地面电流流经身体的风险；正确做法是踮脚蹲下，最小化与地面的接触面积。

Official Documentation

https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-safety

Workarounds

85% success Crouch on the balls of your feet, head tucked, hands over ears, minimizing contact with the ground. Use the 'lightning crouch' position.
```
Crouch on the balls of your feet, head tucked, hands over ears, minimizing contact with the ground. Use the 'lightning crouch' position.
```
95% success Seek shelter in a substantial building or a hard-topped metal vehicle with windows rolled up. Avoid open fields, high ground, and isolated trees.
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Seek shelter in a substantial building or a hard-topped metal vehicle with windows rolled up. Avoid open fields, high ground, and isolated trees.
```

中文步骤

Crouch on the balls of your feet, head tucked, hands over ears, minimizing contact with the ground. Use the 'lightning crouch' position.

Seek shelter in a substantial building or a hard-topped metal vehicle with windows rolled up. Avoid open fields, high ground, and isolated trees.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

Lie completely flat on the ground to minimize height 95% fail
Increases ground current path through the body, leading to fatal electric shock
Hide under a tree to avoid being the tallest object 90% fail
Trees attract lightning and side flash can kill you
Stay in a metal vehicle with windows closed 60% fail
While safer than open ground, this is still dangerous if vehicle is not fully enclosed