100golfschools-Lightning Safety on the Golf Course

Each year, about 400 in the U.S. are struck by lightning while playing golf, working outside, at sports events, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities. About 80 people are killed and several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities. Many of these tragedies can be avoided. Finishing the game, getting a tan, or completing a work shift aren't worth death or crippling injury.

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning kills more people each year than tornadoes.

Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people try and wait to the last minute before seeking shelter.

You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment.

Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death. On average, 20% of strike victims die; 70% of survivors suffer serious long term effects.

Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind. Every flash of lightning is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash. If you hear thunder, head to safety!

Blue Skies and Lightning. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks blue and clear, be cautious. If you hear thunder, take cover. At least 10% of lightning occurs without visible clouds in the sky.

Because they are generally open areas with scattered individual trees, golf courses are dangerous places during a thunderstorm. A lightning bolt will take the shortest route between the cloud and the ground, which means that a golfer standing in the middle of a fairway or huddled under a tree is a prime target for a strike.

There are several safety measures you can take to avoid being hit by lightning:

Seek shelter at the first sign of a thunderstorm. If the course's warning system sounds, take cover.
If possible, get off the golf course or go to a designated lightning shelter.
Do not stand under a lone tree. This is where most people are injured or killed.
Stay away from water.
Stay away from your golf clubs.
If your shoes have metal spikes, take them off.
Move away from your golf cart.
If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.

If a player in your group is struck by lightning, the person is no longer carrying any electrical current, so you can apply first aid immediately. The golfer will be burned and have received a severe electrical shock.

People who have been apparently "killed" by lightning can be revived if quick action is taken. If you must make a choice, treat those who are not breathing first -- those who are unconscious but still breathing will probably come out of it on their own.

First aid should be rendered to those not breathing within four to six minutes to prevent irrevocable brain damage. Mouth-to mouth resuscitation should be administered once every five seconds to adults and once every three seconds to infants and small children.

However, if the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary, but should be administered only by persons with proper training. You should also check for burns along the extremities and around areas in contact with metal, give first aid for shock and then send for help.