A photograph taken in 1975 has been a symbol of years of warnings against the risk of lightning. Because the two smiling brothers in the photo were not aware that they were minutes away from being struck by lightning while climbing Moro Rock in California’s Sequoia National Park in the USA. Their hair stood on end and they found this funny and had a photo taken. But after a very short time, a flash of white light and a deafening explosion sounded.
The long-haired person in the photo was Michael McQuilken, who was 18 that day. His brother Sean was 12 years old. In a blog post he wrote in 2013, he said that he vividly remembers that deadly afternoon in the mountains.
The two brothers survived the lightning strike, but another hiker was killed in that incident. The little boy in the photo had third-degree burns.
WHY DOES HAIR STRETCH?
So, what is the reason for this situation? Why do hairs stand up before lightning? Because just before an impact, electrical charges in the atmosphere can lift hair into the air, and this is actually a final warning. Just before lightning strikes, static energy fills the air. Therefore, goosebumps; You may notice a physical tingling sensation in your body.
RING DETAIL
McQuilken wrote on his blog that when he raised his arm during the incident, he heard a ‘buzz from his ring’ sound. Because actually, these airborne electrical signals were a warning to seek emergency shelter.
McQuilken continued: ‘Sean fell to the ground and fell to his knees. Smoke was coming out of his back. I went to him and checked his pulse and breathing. He was still alive. I extinguished the embers on his back and elbows and carried him down the trail to the parking lot with the rest of the group.”
Sean suffered third-degree burns to his back and elbows, but was lucky that he wasn’t completely knocked down when lightning struck.
As this story proves, and as both AFAD and other similar agencies around the world warn, if your hair starts to stand up while hiking outdoors, on a hill, seek shelter immediately.
AFAD uses the following expressions in its warning: If your hair is starting to stand up, if your hair is starting to stand up, if it stings and if you hear a crackling sound, ATTENTION! Lightning can strike you at any time.
HINTS THAT LIGHTNING IS COMING SOON
MichianLighting shares some clues that could be a sign of lightning:
– Stiffening of the hair and a tingling sensation
-A metallic taste in your mouth
– The smell of ozone in the air
– Headache and sweating
-Vibration, buzzing and crackling sounds (You may hear buzz, cracking or vibration in metal objects near you)
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