# AI tells someone caught in a thunderstorm outdoors to crouch low to the ground with feet together, or to lie flat, to avoid lightning strike

- **ID:** `safety/lightning-safety-crouch-outdated`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

The 'lightning crouch' (feet together, crouch low) reduces but does not eliminate risk; lying flat increases ground contact area and step voltage risk; modern guidance emphasizes moving to a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NOAA Lightning Safety Guidelines 2024 | active | — | — |
| NFPA 780 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Immediately seek shelter in a substantial building (with plumbing and wiring) or a hard-topped metal vehicle (windows closed, avoid touching metal). Stay inside 30 minutes after last thunder.** (95% success)
   ```
   Immediately seek shelter in a substantial building (with plumbing and wiring) or a hard-topped metal vehicle (windows closed, avoid touching metal). Stay inside 30 minutes after last thunder.
   ```
2. **If no shelter is available, avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated trees. Crouch on the balls of your feet with feet together, head down, hands over ears. Do not lie flat.** (80% success)
   ```
   If no shelter is available, avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated trees. Crouch on the balls of your feet with feet together, head down, hands over ears. Do not lie flat.
   ```
3. **Move away from water, metal fences, and conductive objects. If in a group, spread out at least 20 feet apart to reduce multiple casualties.** (85% success)
   ```
   Move away from water, metal fences, and conductive objects. If in a group, spread out at least 20 feet apart to reduce multiple casualties.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Trees attract lightning; side flash can jump from tree to person; tree roots can conduct current through ground. (95% fail)
- **** — Increases step voltage risk (potential difference between body parts); current can travel through vital organs; ground current can kill. (90% fail)
- **** — Tents provide no lightning protection; open shelters have no grounding; metal poles can conduct current. (98% fail)