Lightning Safety for Campers

Lightning kills about 20 people per year in the United States and injures hundreds more. While the odds of being struck are low, the consequences are severe enough that proper prevention and response matter significantly.

Prevention

Understand the 30/30 Rule

When you see lightning, start counting. If you reach 30 seconds before hearing thunder, you're outside the immediate strike zone but should prepare to take shelter. Once you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, get inside a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle immediately. Stay sheltered for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder.

Know Where to Take Shelter

A full-sized, hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed provides decent protection. Metal conducts electricity away from occupants. Small vehicles like convertibles or golf carts don't work. Buildings with plumbing or electrical wiring offer the best protection because grounding systems guide lightning safely into the earth. A tent provides no protection at all.

Avoid Tall Objects and Open Areas

Lightning seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. Being the tallest object in an open field makes you that path. Avoid ridge tops, isolated trees, and clearings. If you're caught in an open area, crouch low on the balls of your feet with feet together, minimizing ground contact.

Monitor Weather Forecasts Before You Go

Check forecast models for the days you'll be camping. Afternoon thunderstorms are most common in summer, typically developing between 2 PM and 5 PM. Plan outdoor activities for mornings or choose campsites with reliable nearby shelter if storms are predicted.

Keep Metal Equipment Separated

Metal tent poles, fishing rods, and climbing gear should stay outside or on opposite sides of camp from where you're sheltering. Metal doesn't attract lightning, but it can conduct a nearby strike. Store these items separately from your shelter location.

Warning Signs

Darkening skies: Watch for towering cumulus clouds, usually dark gray or black on the bottom. Movement in clouds typically precedes visible lightning by 10-15 minutes.
Wind shift: A sudden change in wind direction or increased gusts often signals an incoming storm.
Increased thunder frequency: As storms approach, the time between lightning and thunder decreases. This is your primary alert signal.
Hair standing on end: A tingling sensation or your hair standing on end indicates electrical charge buildup in the atmosphere. Leave the area immediately.
Ozone smell: A distinctive sharp, pungent smell (like burnt air) can occur near storm development.

If It Happens

If you're caught outside during lightning and can't reach shelter:

Crouch immediately — Get into a low position on the balls of your feet with feet together. This reduces ground contact and presents a smaller target. Your heels should be together, toes pointed outward.
Lower your profile — Avoid being the highest point. Crouch lower than surrounding vegetation or terrain features.
Don't lie flat — This increases the chance lightning enters one side and exits the other through your body. Crouching is superior.
Separate from others — Space campers at least 20 feet apart. This prevents one strike from hitting multiple people.
Avoid touching metal or wet objects — Wet ground and metal significantly increase conductivity.

Once lightning stops and 30 minutes have passed without thunder, it's safe to resume normal activities.

After a Strike

If someone is struck by lightning, call emergency services immediately. Lightning victims are not "electrified" and safe to touch. Perform CPR if they're unresponsive and not breathing. Many lightning strike survivors have minimal visible injuries but can experience cardiac arrhythmias, so professional medical evaluation is essential even if the person seems fine.

Common Mistakes

Waiting too long to seek shelter: Many people wait for rain to start or for lightning to be visibly nearby. Thunder reaching you in less than 30 seconds means you're in the danger zone. Get inside before that happens.
Sheltering under a single tree: A lone tree concentrates lightning. Multiple trees spread risk. If you must shelter under vegetation, choose an area with several trees of similar height.
Thinking your tent is safe: Canvas or nylon provides zero electrical protection. The common misunderstanding that "rubber keeps you safe" applies only to tires on vehicles, not tent fabric.

Special Considerations

If you're camping at higher elevations, remember that lightning risk increases significantly above 10,000 feet. Afternoon storms develop faster and arrive with less warning. Higher elevations also mean fewer shelter options, so plan accordingly.

Group camping presents additional considerations. Designate a shelter location before storms arrive. Brief your group on the 30/30 rule and crouching positions. Establish a system for ensuring all campers are accounted for before weather moves in.

This overview doesn't replace proper training. For comprehensive lightning safety, review resources from the National Weather Service and consider wilderness first aid certification.