Lightning is a sudden discharge of electricity in the atmosphere, typically during thunderstorms. This natural phenomenon equalizes electrical charges within clouds or between clouds and the ground. While being struck by lightning is rare, the consequences for the human body are severe and can be life-altering.
The Anatomy of a Lightning Strike
Lightning forms when electrical charges within a thundercloud separate, with positive charges typically accumulating at the top and negative charges at the bottom. When this charge imbalance becomes significant, the air’s insulating capacity breaks down, leading to a rapid electrical discharge. A typical lightning flash can involve approximately 300 million volts and about 30,000 amps of current. This incredible energy is released over a very brief period, often just microseconds, and can heat the air along its path to temperatures as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The superheated air expands violently, creating a shockwave perceived as thunder. When lightning strikes a person, the electrical current can pass through or over the body, seeking a path to the ground. The intense heat and rapid energy discharge cause immediate physical changes and contribute to a complex array of injuries.
Immediate Bodily Impact
When struck by lightning, the body experiences a sudden electrical assault. The most immediate effect is often on the cardiovascular system, potentially causing cardiac arrest or dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. The nervous system also suffers disruption, leading to temporary paralysis, loss of consciousness, seizures, and confusion. Respiratory arrest can also occur, preventing the brain from sending signals to continue breathing.
The skin can display various burns, including deep thermal burns and superficial, fern-like Lichtenberg figures, caused by the electrical discharge tracking across the surface. The electrical current can induce violent muscle contractions, strong enough to cause fractures or joint dislocations from the force or from being thrown. Sensory organs are also vulnerable, with temporary or permanent vision impairment, such as cataracts, and hearing loss due to ruptured eardrums from the thunderclap.
Diverse Ways Lightning Strikes
Lightning can affect people in several ways, each resulting in different injury patterns. A direct strike occurs when a lightning bolt directly hits a person, often with the most severe consequences, as the full electrical current passes through the body.
A side flash, also known as a side splash, happens when lightning strikes a taller object nearby, and a portion of the current jumps from that object to a person. Ground current is a common cause of injury, occurring when lightning strikes the ground and the electrical current spreads outwards through the earth. A person standing on the ground can be injured if the current enters one foot and exits the other, creating a voltage difference across the body.
Conduction injuries occur when lightning travels through an object, such as telephone wires or plumbing, that a person is touching. A blast injury can result from the shockwave produced by the lightning, which can cause blunt trauma or propel a person through the air.
Enduring Health Effects
Survivors of lightning strikes often face long-term health challenges. Neurological issues are common, including chronic pain, persistent headaches, and difficulties with memory and concentration. Some individuals may experience personality changes, sleep disturbances, or chronic fatigue, reflecting the impact on the brain and nervous system.
The psychological toll can be significant, with survivors sometimes developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. Physical impairments may include chronic muscle weakness, nerve damage leading to numbness or tingling, and ongoing balance issues. Vision problems, such as cataracts, and hearing loss are also potential long-term consequences.
What to Do After a Strike
Immediate action is important for someone struck by lightning. A person who has been struck does not retain an electrical charge and is safe to touch, so rescuers should not fear electrocution. Call emergency services immediately. Cardiac arrest is a frequent cause of death, and prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be life-saving.
Rescuers should assess for breathing difficulties, severe burns, and obvious injuries. Even if the individual appears fine immediately after the strike, they must receive a thorough medical evaluation. Internal injuries, which may not be immediately apparent, can be serious and require assessment and treatment.