disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises crouching in a single pillar or column during a lightning storm for protection (increased side flash risk)

ID: disaster/lightning-single-pillar-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
15%Fix Rate
83%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-04-12First Seen

Root Cause

A single pillar or column does not provide a low-resistance path to ground; lightning can side flash from the pillar to a person, and the pillar may conduct current through the ground.

generic

中文

单根柱子或立柱不能提供低电阻路径到地面；闪电可能从柱子侧击到人，并且柱子可能通过地面传导电流。

Official Documentation

https://www.ready.gov/lightning

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Seek shelter inside a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Example: 'Enter a house or a car with windows closed; avoid open structures like picnic shelters or bus stops.' 
    Seek shelter inside a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Example: 'Enter a house or a car with windows closed; avoid open structures like picnic shelters or bus stops.'
  2. 65% success If no shelter is available, crouch low in a low-lying area away from tall objects. Example: 'Find a ditch or depression, crouch on the balls of your feet with feet together, and cover your ears.' 
    If no shelter is available, crouch low in a low-lying area away from tall objects. Example: 'Find a ditch or depression, crouch on the balls of your feet with feet together, and cover your ears.'

中文步骤

  1. Seek shelter inside a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Example: 'Enter a house or a car with windows closed; avoid open structures like picnic shelters or bus stops.'
  2. If no shelter is available, crouch low in a low-lying area away from tall objects. Example: 'Find a ditch or depression, crouch on the balls of your feet with feet together, and cover your ears.'

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 90% fail

    Contact with the pillar increases the risk of direct strike or side flash through the body.

  2. 95% fail

    Metal pillars attract lightning and conduct current, increasing the danger of electrocution.

  3. 85% fail

    Wood can be wet or conduct current if struck, and the pillar does not provide a Faraday cage effect.