Card “A”
Caller has been hit by lightning.
Q1: Where are you?
Q2: Are you still exposed to lightning?
Dispatcher:
- Try to determine if the victim is disoriented, or having difficulty breathing.
- Ask the caller how many seconds there are between the lightning flash and the associated sound of thunder. If the count is 30 seconds or less, the caller is at risk for further strikes. If the count is less than 10 seconds, the caller is in grave and imminent danger.
If the caller is still directly exposed to further lightning strikes:
Tell the caller…
- You must get to a safe place.
NOTE: Inform the caller that they are at risk of further lightning strikes if the lightning-thunder count is low.
- Try to get inside a building, or into a metal-roofed vehicle and roll up the windows.
- Stay away from windows and electrical appliances.
- Avoid isolated tall trees.
- Unless you are on a portable or cell phone, hang up until the lightning has passed. Lightning can travel along phone lines and injure or kill you.
Once the caller is in a safe place, handle any injuries per normal EMD procedures.
