Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with lightning strike, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was struck by lightning or found near a strike. They may be unresponsive or have burns.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Safe scene. Call 112. CPR if not breathing. Check burns.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconscious person after thunderstorm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Burns, torn clothing, or cardiac arrest at outdoor scene.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lightning stops the heart and causes burns and nervous system injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Immediate CPR can restart a heart that stopped from lightning.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move yourself and victim to safer shelter if lightning ongoing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check responsiveness and breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Start CPR if not breathing normally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cover burns with clean dry cloth. Monitor for breathing recovery.
When and how to get professional help.
All lightning strike victims need emergency evaluation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — CPR, safe movement, basic burn cover. Full trauma assessment is for professionals.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Lightning strike — CPR in progress if applicable.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give exact outdoor location for rescue.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume victim is dead — aggressive CPR saves lightning patients.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT stay in open field during active storm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lightning victims stay electrically charged — do not touch
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Human body does not store charge. Safe to touch immediately for CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Delaying CPR due to unfounded fear of shock.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Cold water rescue
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was submerged or immersed in cold water and is cold, confused, or not breathing.
Decompression sickness
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After scuba diving or rapid altitude change, a person has joint pain, rash, weakness, confusion, or breathing trouble.
Heatstroke
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to extreme heat has hot dry skin, confusion, seizure, or unconsciousness.
Hypothermia
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to cold is shivering, confused, clumsy, or has stopped shivering.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All strike victims need ECG and hospital monitoring — delayed arrhythmia possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Multiple victims — treat apparently dead first with CPR.