The age group most commonly affected is 20 to 45 years old. Males are affected four times more often than females. In the United States, about 1 in 10,000 people are hit by lightning during their lifetime. Among pregnant women who are hit by lightning, the death of the fetus occurs in about half. Areas with mountainous terrain and moisture-heavy airflow, such as Central Africa, have the highest rates of lightning strikes. It is estimated that lightning injuries occur 240,000 times a year with 24,000 deaths. In those who have a central pulse but are not breathing artificial ventilation, such as mouth to mouth, is recommended. Among those who appear in cardiac arrest and have no central pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be started. When indoors the use of devices connected to electrical outlets and contact with water is not recommended. If being outdoors is unavoidable, bringing the feet and knees together is recommended (if possible, while crouching low in the 'lightning position'- crouched low, hands over ears, feet touching if possible) so as to provide only one point of contact with the ground. Prevention includes avoiding being outdoors during a thunderstorm, and sheltering in a fully enclosed structure (such a closed building or metal car). Diagnosis is typically based on history of the injury and examination. The mechanism of the injuries may include electrical injury, burns from heat, and mechanical trauma. Direct strikes make up about 5% of injuries. Contact injury occurs when the person is touching the object that is hit. Side splash makes up about a third of cases and occurs when lightning strikes nearby and jumps through the air to the person. Ground current make up about half of cases and occurs when the lightning strikes nearby and travels to the person through the ground. Lightning injuries are divided into direct strikes, side splash, contact injury, and ground current. If death occurs it is typically from either an abnormal heart rhythm or respiratory failure. Of those who survive, about 75% have ongoing health problems as a result, such as cataracts and hearing loss. Other symptoms may include burns and blunt injuries. While the asystole may resolve spontaneously fairly rapidly, the respiratory arrest is typically more prolonged. Initial symptoms may include heart asystole and respiratory arrest. Lightning injuries are injuries caused by a lightning strike. Multiple lightning bolts strike a populated area.ĭirect strikes, side splash, contact injury, ground current īased on history of the injury and examination Īvoiding the outdoors during a thunderstorm sheltering in a fully-enclosed structure if still outdoors, assuming 'lightning position' before a strike

Lightning strike scar tree ironwood