National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Most people struck by lightning are not struck directly, but are affected by the current running through the ground (also known as a "side flash"). People who are adversely affected by a lightning flash, either directly or indirectly, need prompt medical attention:

Call 911. Provide directions and information about the likely number of lightning strike victims.

If the victim is not breathing, provide mouth to mouth resuscitation . If the victim has no pulse, (check for the pulse at the carotid [neck] or femoral [knee] artery for 20 -30 seconds). then start CPR. If the area is cold and wet, putting a dry article of clothing between the victim and the ground may decrease the threat of hypothermia that the victim suffers which can complicate the resuscitation.

The first tenet of emergency care is "make no more casualties". Any rescuer must be aware of the continuation of danger that a lightning storm poses to the rescuers as well as to the victim(s). If the area is a high risk area (under a tree, mountain top, open field, etc.), it may be better that the rescuers who are in a relatively safer area wait until the danger has passed before exposing themselves.

It is relatively unusual for victims who survive a lightning strike to have major fractures that would cause paralysis or major bleeding complications unless they have suffered a fall or been thrown a distance. As a result, in an active lightning storm, if the rescuers choose to expose themselves to the lightning threat, it may be better to move the victim away from the area of risk (such as under a tree, etc.) rather than to give medical attention at the spot of the initial flash. Rescuers are reminded to stay as low as possible and provide as little area to the ground surface as possible.

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