5 ms·

I can remember a similar event in the Alps in France. What was interesting (it was with cows) is that only the cows showing or turning their back to the lightni

by Loic 10y ago

I can remember a similar event in the Alps in France. What was interesting (it was with cows) is that only the cows showing or turning their back to the lightning strike were killed. It was because of the potential difference between the front and back legs (you have more than 1m), the ground resistance was higher than the wet cow and the current just went through the cow. When the cows were not facing (or back) the strike, the ground resistance was lower, the current did not went through the cows. So, if you are wet, in the mountains and lightning strikes are firing, make small steps :)

saiya-jin 10y ago
this is a basic advice on any electrical course I had to go through. if things get really hairy, you should only jump around with both feet together, and have arms close to the body (not so easy somewhere on the wilderness)
- sharpercoder 10y ago
  Given the chance to outrun lightning, running with only zero or one feet on the ground would also prevent strikes.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
- crististm 10y ago
  Where do you get this idea? When lighting is kilometers long, half a meter more is not a lot to cover.
  - mhb 10y ago
    Step potential: http://www.esgroundingsolutions.com/what-is-step-and-touch-potential/ http://www.esgroundingsolutions.com/what-is-step-and-touch-p...
- madengr 10y ago
  Actually you hop on one foot, that way the current path does not go fully across your heart.
  - jhayward 10y ago
    Not quite. It is the voltage potential caused by having your feet on two different pieces of ground, which have a voltage gradient between them, that causes the current to flow. If you keep your feet together you are less likely to be harmed. The farther apart your feet are the greater the voltage between them. This is called "step potential" in electrician and lineman safety training.
    - madengr 10y ago
      Yes, but if are hopping on one foot, you have no opportunity to complete the circuit with both feet.
      - triplesec 10y ago
        but if your feet are touching it's the same thing, because you've shorted the circuit. Also, any chance of arcing to the ungrounded leg?
B1FF_PSUVM 10y ago
That was curiously both creepy and enlightening (so to speak ;-).

by Loic 10y ago

saiya-jin 10y ago

this is a basic advice on any electrical course I had to go through. if things get really hairy, you should only jump around with both feet together, and have arms close to the body (not so easy somewhere on the wilderness)

sharpercoder 10y ago
Given the chance to outrun lightning, running with only zero or one feet on the ground would also prevent strikes.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
crististm 10y ago
Where do you get this idea? When lighting is kilometers long, half a meter more is not a lot to cover.
- mhb 10y ago
  Step potential: http://www.esgroundingsolutions.com/what-is-step-and-touch-potential/ http://www.esgroundingsolutions.com/what-is-step-and-touch-p...
madengr 10y ago
Actually you hop on one foot, that way the current path does not go fully across your heart.
- jhayward 10y ago
  Not quite. It is the voltage potential caused by having your feet on two different pieces of ground, which have a voltage gradient between them, that causes the current to flow. If you keep your feet together you are less likely to be harmed. The farther apart your feet are the greater the voltage between them. This is called "step potential" in electrician and lineman safety training.
  - madengr 10y ago
    Yes, but if are hopping on one foot, you have no opportunity to complete the circuit with both feet.
    - triplesec 10y ago
      but if your feet are touching it's the same thing, because you've shorted the circuit. Also, any chance of arcing to the ungrounded leg?

B1FF_PSUVM 10y ago

That was curiously both creepy and enlightening (so to speak ;-).