lightning strike

[Bobby]

Both times were under water. One was in the cavern on deco & the second was over 1K back in the cave. I would agree that it is probably safer under water than being on the surface. If it is likely to be ugly or is ugly we don't get in the water.

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[openmindOW]

Tony, thank you for posting. This is a very helpful safety lesson for all divers.

I am happy that you are ok.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

thanks openmindOW.

 

[IceCreamPirate]

This is my first summer living in Florida, and I am definitely frustrated by the constant storms. On a shore dive with one other person a couple of weeks ago, we saw storm crowds rolling out towards the ocean but decided to dive anyway. I was a lifeguard for years so I am super safety-conscious about lightning...maybe paranoid even. This was the only time I have ever been afraid on a dive. We started seeing flashes about 25 min in, and after a particular bright flash we decided to book it to shore under water. When we surfaced the storm was still over land, but there was a pretty close strike as we were walking with our gear up the beach. Now I try to plan dawn dives, which are pretty reliably calm. I just don't plan on being able to dive between 1 and 4pm in the summertime.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I am curious about the science of this. I have been underwater during a lightning storm but not where a strike was in the immediate area. If you are underwater, will the bolt actually penetrate below the surface and by how far? Would it shock you if you were not on the bottom (ie grounded).

For those struck in caves, did the current travel down the guideline?

In sum, if I am hovering a few feet off the bottom in 20 feet, and not holding onto a dive flag or any such thing, how safe am I?

 

[Shasta_man]

If I was hit twice, I'd be beating the dog in the race to hide behind the toilet.

 

[tracydr]

Wow! I'm really glad you're okay! I once had an entire squad of basic trainees show up to sick call after they had all been struck by lightening while sheltering under a tree.
My husband was teaching my buddy and I onde day in our pool when a huge,monsoon all storm blew in. I insisted that we get out of the water. Shortly after, a palm tree near our house got struck and it killed the garage opener. ( and the tree)
Btw, we just arrived from AZ to our new home in NC. We live in the sandhills of Scotland county. It is so beautiful and the weather is amazing after living in " Satan's butthole".

 

[TONY CHANEY]

I am curious about the science of this. I have been underwater during a lightning storm but not where a strike was in the immediate area. If you are underwater, will the bolt actually penetrate below the surface and by how far? Would it shock you if you were not on the bottom (ie grounded).

For those struck in caves, did the current travel down the guideline?

In sum, if I am hovering a few feet off the bottom in 20 feet, and not holding onto a dive flag or any such thing, how safe am I?

I have never heard of somebody getting hit while being submerged in open water.

I don't think so. I think that it is due to the rather vast amount of metal in the caves.

Not very sure.

 

[Tidal Tao]

Sjo Tony, that is hectic! You are a lucky man, I must say and glad you are ok. I always wondered what will happen when lightning strikes the sea and a question I get from the kids .."why don't fish die when lightning strikes the sea?". Well, we done some digging around and this is what we found Tidal Tao - Why don't fish die when lightning strikes the sea?

 

[MrChen]

This happened to us a month after this posting, further supporting DJTimmy's claim to not dive evenings. The funny thing is, he dove with us that morning!

[video=youtube;PXW0Y1IDbxo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXW0Y1IDbxo&list=UUfOp-jFb0p7lyYk7hwCajRg[/video]