15 July 2009
Hazardous Weather Reminder
Posted by admin under: safety .
Hiker Hell notes a story about two hikers getting zapped by the heavens. This reminds me that there’s a big portion of hazardous weather training at myscouting.org that deals with lightning. So, what should the hikers have done, class?
Who: Just a couple of hikers
Where: Shubarth Trail near Woodland Park, Colorado
Their mistake: Wrong place. Wrong time. But they could’ve moved to a safer place
What happened: Two hikers were leaning up against their car when a thunderstorm formed overhead. It is unclear if they were about to hike or just getting back from the hike.
Instead of going inside the car or running into cover in the trees, the two hikers were leaning against the bumper of the car. Zap! A bolt of lightning hit the car and jolted both of the hikers. Both suffered major bruises and burns to their legs.
They were able to make a cell phone call and stayed conscious until rescuers arrived. Although the injuries seemed severe, they are not life threatening.
Authorities said that the hiker should have gone into the car, one of the safest places to be during a lightning storm.
Read the story here.
- Hazardous Weather Planning
- Hug a Tree or Hike 8 Miles
- Your Training Reminder
- Minneosta Father and Son Scouts Earn Merit Award
- Tent Fireball
