7 gold tips to avoid lightning at camp

For a holiday where you can get rid of the tiredness of time and find peace, you can choose quiet and calm places. Even if you cannot give up camping as an accommodation choice, you can prefer the winter experience instead of the summer camp that holidaymakers flock to. However, although the winter camp caters to your expectation of calmness, it requires more responsibility than the summer camp. If you are an experienced camper, you can act by foreseeing all kinds of difficulties. In this way, you can have a camping holiday that appeals to your expectations and that you will not forget for a long time. Although the situation is based on professional experience, situations that are out of your control may develop in winter camp. The most frightening of these are heavy rains. When lightning is added to the increasingly heavy rain, you need to know the methods of protection from lightning in the depths of nature. For you today; We have listed the lightning protection tips at the camp. If you want to make a healthy and safe camp; You should definitely take a look at our guide by evaluating every possibility.

What are the Lightning Protection Methods in the Camp?

Move Metal Appliances Away

When you come across a dangerous lightning bolt, you should first be informed about the precautions you can take instead of running around. The first is to move metal objects away from your body. Lightning hazard comes into direct contact with metal objects when it approaches the earth. This causes lightning to approach your body when metal objects are on you. If you come across a weather with heavy lightning at the camp, you should first leave all metal objects such as mobile phones, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, forks, spoons and knives in a corner and get away. You can retrieve objects after the lightning threat has passed.

Choose the Right Trees for Shelter

When you come across a weather with intense lightning, you may think that large trees will protect you. However, if you do not choose the right tree for shelter, you may not be able to escape from the direction of lightning. In the event of strong lightning, you should stay away from a tree that is alone in the open area. A single tree that collects the energy on it will also increase the danger of lightning. You can choose the trees in the forest area to be protected from lightning in the camping area. Dense forests where tree heights are close to each other reduce the risk of lightning strikes. In this way, you can protect yourself from lightning.

Move Away From Water Sources

One of the areas where frightening lightning likes to fall is the open seas and water channels. If you are camping near a lake or river, you should get as far away from water sources as possible from the moment of lightning. You are also likely to encounter a lightning storm while swimming in the sea. Moreover, when lightning strikes the sea, the tension starts to move over the water. If you are exposed to a sudden lightning while swimming in the sea and you are too far away to get out, you should stay on the surface of the water as much as possible. In this way, you can be protected from the lightning voltage falling into the sea, just like fish.

Pay Attention to the Size of the Cave You Take shelter in

When you come across a lightning bolt in a deserted nature, you may think that the only closed area you can take shelter in is a cave. However, if the depth of the cave you take shelter in is not more than three times the width of the mouth, you are in danger. Lightning, which can strike almost anywhere, also poses a threat to caves at low depths. Therefore, you can stay at the target point of the lightning.

Pay attention to the increase in electrification!

When you are exposed to intense lightning, you may feel that the electricity in your body increases. Your body responds to this situation as hair and hair growth. In such cases, you need to squat to minimize the area in contact with the ground. In a squat position with elbows on knees and hands on head, you can stand on a backpack or mat to minimize ground contact. When you minimize ground contact by taking the correct position to protect yourself from lightning, the damage to your body will also be minimized.

Avoid Reclining Position

When you come across intense lightning in the region, you may want to lie down directly on the ground out of rush and fear of the moment. However, this creates the most dangerous position for lightning. If you lie on the ground with the fear of being a lower target to the lightning, even if the voltage does not directly hit you, a lightning strike nearby can find a flow path in the ground and stop your heart.

Check Weather

The first thing you must do before going camping in the winter season is to check the weather forecasts. If heavy rain with thunder and lightning is expected in or near the area you are going to, you can postpone the camping plan. In case you forget to check the weather forecast, you should make an emergency plan when you go to the venue. In this way, you can plan in advance how you will protect yourself from possible lightning danger and act cautiously when a negative situation occurs.

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