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The Straight Dope - Is lightning really that dangerous to swimmers?


rcohn

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Interesting article today from The Straight Dope on a topic periodically discussed on kayaking boards.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlightning.html

Being on an open boat in a lightning storm is probably even more dangerous than swimming, suggests Mary Ann Cooper of the University of Illinois Lightning Injury Research Program, as "increasing your height by any amount increases your chances of being hit by a calculable amount. … Avoid being the highest object anywhere...

According to the National Weather Service,

The vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats with NO cabin.

More stuff in the article.

Ralph

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