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Ridin' The Storm Out

by  Cindy K. Roberts

In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. Over the past 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 67 people per year in the United States alone, based on documented cases. Tornadoes rank 2nd causing 65 deaths per year and interestingly hurricanes claim the average of 16 deaths per year. Lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time.  While documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries caused by lightning are likely much higher.  Obviously if you are an avid trail rider or outdoors person then you are in a high risk group for being a victim from a lightening strike.  Scary thought, isn't it?  Learning about thunderstorm activity and development can save your life.  Don't rely on your local weatherman for accurate weather reports.   And don't think riding close to the barn will save your skin either. 

Thunderstorms are unpredictable and can develop quickly.  They are most likely to develop on warm summer days and go through various stages of growth, development and dissipation. On a sunny day, as the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air start to rise in the atmosphere. When this air reaches a certain level in the atmosphere, cumulus clouds start to form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow vertically upward in the atmosphere into "towering cumulus" clouds. These towering cumulus may be one of the first indications of a developing thunderstorm.  The important thing to remember is all thunderstorms produce lightening and are dangerous.

The Lightning Discharge

During a thunderstorm, each flash of cloud-to-ground lightning is a potential killer. The determining factor on whether a particular flash could be deadly depends on whether a person is in the path of the lightning discharge. In addition to the visible flash that travels through the air, the current associated with the lightning discharge travels along the ground. Although some victims are struck directly by the main lightning stroke, many victims are struck as the current moves in and along the ground. While virtually all people take some protective actions during the most dangerous part of thunderstorms, many leave themselves vulnerable to being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach, depart, or are nearby.

When to Seek Safe Shelter

Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain area in a thunderstorm. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. When a storm is 10 miles away, it may even be difficult to tell a storm is coming.

IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER, YOU ARE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE. The first stroke of lightning is just as deadly as the last. If the sky looks threatening, take shelter before hearing thunder.

The 30-30 Rule

Use the 30-30 rule where visibility is good and there is nothing obstructing your view of the thunderstorm. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within 6 miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately. The threat of lightning continues for much longer period than most people realize. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter. Don't be fooled by sunshine or blue sky!

If a person is struck by lightning, medical care may be needed immediately to save the person's life. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although the long-term effects on their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating.

  • You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder.
    If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment. 
  • Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death.
    On average, 20% of strike victims die; 70% of survivors suffer serious long term effects.
  • Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind. Every flash of lightning is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash. If you hear thunder, head to safety!  Remain calm while riding your horse to the nearest shelter. 
  • Blue Skies and Lightning. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks blue and clear, be cautious. If you hear thunder, take cover. At least 10% of lightning occurs without visible clouds in the sky.

The U.S. lightning season is summer but lightning can strike year round!  If you are caught in a storm while riding your horse or mule take caution: 

  • Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. In the mountains if you are above treeline, you ARE the highest object around. Quickly get below treeline and get into a grove of small trees. Don't be the second tallest object during a lightning storm! Dismount and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
  • If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.
  • Avoid metal! Drop metal canteens, stay away from clothes lines, fences, exposed sheds and electrically conductive elevated objects. Large metal objects can conduct lightning. Small metal objects can cause burns.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AND MORE IN ANSWERS TO YOUR MULE QUESTIONS.

Warning!  Under Missouri law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Your participation in training your own mule or horse by following the advice given in this column and throughout Every Cowgirl's Dream web site is a risk that may result in permanent disability and even death to you and/or your animal.  Advice in this column is given through 20 plus years of professional and private mule training experience.  The unique personality of your animal and the individual reader's skill level will vary greatly.  This column is not a substitute for a qualified mule trainer in your area.  Always utilize a professional and knowledgeable trainer to assist you.  The author asks each reader to evaluate his or her skill level, athletic ability and mule sense prior to attempting any training technique.

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