Common injuries from being struck by lightning can be:
- nerve and muscle paralysis,
- impaired eyesight and hearing,
- raised blood pressure.
If unconscious and convulsing, the victim might be in a cardiac arrest.
- Gasping breath,
- lack of a pulse and
- dilated pupils
… are further signs of a cardiac arrest.
Quick action can save lives.
FIRST THING TO DO …
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NOTE! Immediately call your local emergency number and start to give first aid. Please be aware that your local emergency call number may differ. |
SECONDLY …
- Try to calm the lightning victim if he/she is conscious.
- Softly talk to the victim until help arrives.
- If the victim is unconscious, put him/her in the recovery position.
- Check the victim’s pulse and breathing.
- If the lightning victim has no pulse or heartbeat, lay him/her on his/her back and (if appropriate) begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (heart massage and resuscitation)*.
- Do not stop until the victim starts to move, his/her chest begins to rise and fall or help arrives to take over.
*It is advisable to get First Aid training.
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Recovery Position |
Heart Massage |
Resuscitation |
Reference: DEHN + SOHNE (2012) “When Lightning Strikes, What to do during a Thunderstorm”
