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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
700 AM EDT FRI JUN 23 2006

The National Weather Service has declared the week of June 18th
through 24th, LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK.  This is the fifth in a
series of five public information statements to be issued by the
National Weather Service Office in Gray containing information on
lightning and lightning safety.


THE FACTS ABOUT LIGHTNING STRIKE VICTIMS

In the United States, each year, lightning kills an average of 66
people and injures more than 300 people based on documented cases from
1975 through 2004.  While any death is tragic and also devastating to
the family, injuries can be equally tragic and even more devastating
to the family.  For those who have a relative that suffers a
significant disability from lightning, life changes forever.  In
addition to the physical pain and mental anguish suffered by the
victim and the victim's family, the incident may lead to a loss of
income for the family.  Over time, medical expenses for treatment may
drain the family's assets.

If someone is struck by lightning, it is important that they receive
the appropriate medical attention immediately.  Some deaths can be
prevented if the victims are attended to promptly.  Lightning victims
do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to handle.  First, have
someone call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service.  Check to see that
the victim is breathing and has a pulse, and continue to monitor the
victim until help arrives.  Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of
death in lightning fatalities.  If necessary, begin cardio-pulmonary
resuscitation (CPR).  Also, if possible, move the victim to a safer
place.  Don't let the rescuers become lightning victims.  Lightning
can strike the same place twice.

Physically, only few lightning strike victims actually suffer burns. 
Due to the conductivity of the human body, lightning burns are usually
minor, and most lightning burns are caused when objects next to the
body (such as necklaces, rings, or metal coins) are heated by the
lightning.  In addition, sweat, vaporized by lightning, can also cause
burns.

Mentally, lightning strike victims may face many challenges that
they'll have to live with for the rest of their lives.  When the brain
is affected by a lightning strike, the person often has difficultly
with many of the mental processes that most people take for granted. 
The person may suffer from short-term memory loss, and may have
difficulty mentally storing new information and accessing old
information.  Victims may often find it very difficult to carry on
more than one task at a time, and may be easily distracted.  Their
personality may change and they may become easily irritated.

Victims often complain of becoming easily fatigued and may become
exhausted after only a few hours work.  This may be because mental
tasks that were once automatic may now require intense concentration
to accomplish.  Although some victims may sleep excessively at first,
after a few weeks, many find it difficult to sleep more than two or
three hours at a time.

Another common long-term problem for survivors is pain.  Medically,
pain is difficult to quantify.  Lightning strike victims often suffer
irreparable nerve damage from which they will suffer for the rest of
their lives.  The pain can be so intense that it affects the person's
ability to function.  Many survivors complain of chronic headaches,
some of which are very intense and debilitating.

It is important to remember that, while many lightning victims
survive, their lives are changed forever, and their dreams for the
future and those of their family will never be the same.


LIGHTNING QUESTION OF THE DAY:  What are the chances that a person
will be struck by lightning during his or her lifetime.
 
Answer: Based on documented cases of lightning deaths and injuries,
the nationwide odds of being killed or injured by lightning are
estimated to be about 1 in 400,000 for each year of your life. 
Assuming a life span of 80 years, that's lifetime odds of more than 1
in 5000.  Keep in mind, though, that your behavior around
thunderstorms will determine your individual odds.  If you are aware
of all the threats posed by lightning and act accordingly, your
chances for being struck by lightning will be considerably lower.  On
the other hand, if you are not aware of those dangers or don't take
the appropriate safety precautions, your odds of being struck by
lightning will be higher.


Here's a list of topics covered earlier this week:

MONDAY - Lightning and Lightning Safety -- An Introduction
TUESDAY - The Science of Thunderstorms and Lightning
WEDNESDAY - Outdoor Safety
THURSDAY - Safe Shelters and Indoor Safety.

For additional information about lightning or lightning safety, visit
NOAA's Lightning Safety Awareness web site at:

     http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

JENSENIUS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
GRAY...MAINE
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