Lightning Injuries & First Aid Awareness

Lightning strikes are rare but can cause sudden injury. During thunderstorms, the safest place is indoors or inside a hard-topped vehicle. Lightning can injure a person directly or through ground currents, and effects may vary from brief confusion to more serious injuries.

First Aid & Workplace Relevance

Lightning-related incidents may affect:

• Outdoor workers (construction, forestry, utility, agriculture)

• Outdoor sports and recreation (soccer, hiking, golf, paddling)

• Campers, cottagers, and park visitors

• Drivers during roadside storms

Canadian safety guidance emphasizes seeking shelter early, monitoring weather advisories, and avoiding open fields, tall isolated objects, and bodies of water.

Scenario (with trained first aid rescuer)

During a summer soccer practice, a storm rolled in quickly. As players ran toward shelter, lightning struck nearby, knocking one player to the ground. A trained first aid rescuer checked for responsiveness and breathing, called emergency services with location details, and monitored the player until paramedics arrived.

Possible Effects of Lightning on the Body

Lightning may cause:

• Temporary confusion or disorientation

• Breathing or heart rhythm disturbances

• Burns or minor skin markings

• Muscle pain or weakness

• Hearing or vision symptoms

• Head or neck injuries from associated falls or blunt impact

Lightning can also cause temporary paralysis in some individuals (sometimes called keraunoparalysis), which usually resolves over time under medical supervision.

First Aid / Immediate Actions 

If it is safe to approach:

1. Call emergency services

2. Check responsiveness and breathing

3. If unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR according to your first aid training

4. Monitor until paramedics arrive

5. Protect from cold and treat for shock by keeping the person warm and comfortable

Important:
Lightning does not leave a residual electrical charge. It is safe to touch and assist the person once the scene is safe.

Prevention & Safety Considerations

During thunderstorms:

• Seek shelter indoors or in a vehicle

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, beaches, and tall isolated objects

• Move away from water and metal structures

• Pause outdoor sports at the first sound of thunder

• Resume activities 30 minutes after the last thunder

FAQ 

Q: Can multiple people be affected at once?
Yes. Ground strikes can injure more than one person within an area.

Q: Is CPR safe after lightning strike?
Yes. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge. CPR may help if breathing or heartbeat is affected.

Q: Do lightning injuries always cause burns?
No. Burns can occur but are often mild. Some injuries may be from falling or blunt impact.

Q: Why call emergency services even if the person seems fine?
Some effects may be delayed or internal, especially involving the nervous system or heart rhythm.

Educational Note 

This content supports first aid awareness and public education. It is not a substitute for professional training, diagnosis, or emergency care.