Lightning strikes deliver a massive electrical discharge with devastating effects on the human body. Approximately 240,000 lightning injuries are reported globally each year, highlighting the significant threat posed by this natural phenomenon. It involves a rapid transfer of immense electrical current and voltage, reaching up to 200,000 amperes and 30 million volts. Understanding the immediate and long-term consequences of a lightning strike clarifies the dangers it presents.
The Immediate Physical Response
At the precise moment a lightning bolt connects with a person, an instantaneous surge of electrical current courses through the body. This rapid passage of electricity can generate intense heat, causing tissues to expand quickly, and creating a powerful shockwave. The most immediate threat is instantaneous cardiac arrest, where the heart’s electrical rhythm is disrupted, stopping blood circulation. Simultaneously, the electrical current can paralyze the respiratory control center in the brain, leading to respiratory arrest.
Even if the heart spontaneously resumes beating, the respiratory arrest can be prolonged, leading to a lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues. This acute physiological disruption occurs within milliseconds, often leading to immediate loss of consciousness. The force of the strike itself can also physically throw a person, resulting in immediate blunt trauma.
Common Injuries from Lightning Strikes
The diverse ways lightning can interact with the body lead to a wide range of specific injuries. Burns are a common consequence, often appearing as distinct, fern-like patterns on the skin known as Lichtenberg figures. These reddish marks are not true burns but rather temporary skin lesions from ruptured capillaries, typically fading within hours to days. Other burn types include linear burns from vaporized sweat or punctate burns.
The nervous system is particularly susceptible to lightning’s effects, often being the primary system injured. Individuals may experience immediate loss of consciousness, amnesia for the event, confusion, or seizures. A temporary paralysis, known as keraunoparalysis, can affect the limbs, causing weakness or sensory loss. Long-term neurological consequences can include persistent cognitive issues such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and personality changes, along with chronic pain syndromes.
The cardiovascular system is significantly impacted, with cardiac arrest being the most frequent cause of death. The electrical shock can induce severe arrhythmias, including asystole or ventricular fibrillation. While the heart may restart spontaneously, myocardial damage, pericardial inflammation, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure can occur.
Auditory and ocular injuries are also frequently observed. The intense shockwave and loud thunderclap can rupture eardrums. Hearing loss and ringing in the ears may also result. Ocular damage can manifest as cataracts, which are a common long-term complication, or temporary vision disturbances due to the bright flash.
Musculoskeletal injuries can arise from both the electrical current and the mechanical force of the strike. Fractures may occur if a person is thrown or due to violent muscle contractions caused by the electricity. Muscle pain and weakness are common, and severe muscle damage can develop.
The Recovery Process
Following a lightning strike, initial medical care focuses on stabilizing the individual’s condition. This often involves immediate resuscitation efforts, particularly if cardiac or respiratory arrest occurred. Hospital care includes continuous monitoring for cardiac issues, treatment of any burns, and management of neurological symptoms. Individuals are assessed for internal injuries and blunt trauma, which may require further diagnostic tests like blood work or imaging scans.
The recovery journey for lightning strike survivors can be extensive and complex. Many survivors experience long-term health problems. Rehabilitation often involves physical therapy to address mobility limitations and muscle weakness. Occupational therapy assists individuals in regaining skills for daily activities and work.
Psychological support is also important, as survivors may grapple with trauma, anxiety, and depression. While some effects, like keraunoparalysis, are temporary, other neurological and physical challenges can persist, requiring ongoing management and adaptation for a meaningful recovery.
Bystander Actions and Medical Care
If someone is struck by lightning, immediate action from bystanders can significantly improve their outcome. It is important to remember that a person who has been struck by lightning does not retain an electrical charge and is safe to touch. The first step is to ensure the safety of the rescuer and the victim by assessing the surrounding environment for ongoing lightning danger. If the area remains hazardous, moving the victim to a safer location, if possible and without causing further injury, is advised.
Calling emergency services immediately is crucial. If the person is unconscious and not breathing, initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without delay is highly effective in increasing survival chances. Continued CPR until professional medical help arrives is vital, as respiratory arrest can persist even after the heart restarts. While waiting for emergency responders, basic first aid can be provided for other injuries such as burns or blunt trauma. Medical professionals prioritize those in cardiac arrest, a method known as “reverse triage,” as these individuals have the highest chance of survival with immediate intervention.