Lightning and Diving

[WaterDance]

My boyfriend and I visited Curacao this past September, and right before one of our night dives there was a lightning storm on the horizon. We were shore diving, and decide to go anyway. All was fine, we entered quickly and went deep to avoid any potential threats. But my question is not that we are back, how does lighting really affect scuba divers?

Thanks,
Susan

 

[Thalassamania]

I don't know the reality, I am told that if you are underwater in the ocean you are fine because the salt water is more conductive than your body but that in fresh water that is not the case. I have been underwater in the vicinity of a lightning strike once, we were fairly deep, everything lit up and it sort of felt like my teeth "itched."

NOAA says:

On the Water
The vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats with NO cabin. It is crucial to listen to the weather on a small aquatic vessel without a cabin. If thunderstorms are forecast, don't go out. If you are out on the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe building or vehicle. Boats with cabins offer a safer but not perfect environment. Safety is increased further if the boat has a properly installed lightning protection system. If you are inside the cabin, stay away from metal and all electrical components. STAY OFF THE RADIO UNLESS IT IS AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY!
What should you do if you are on a small vessel and lightning becomes a threat? If the vessel has an anchor, then you should properly anchor the boat then get as low as possible.
Large boats with cabins, especially those with lightning protection systems properly installed or metal marine vessels are relatively safe. Remember to stay inside the cabin and away from any metal surfaces.

Scuba Divers
If the boat you are in does not have a safe cabin to be in during lightning activity, then you are safer diving deep into the water for the duration of the storm or as long as possible. Your first choice is to head in and get in safe building or vehicle.

Florida man was killed when he resurfaced while scuba diving and lightning struck his air tank

Scuba Doc on Lightning.

 

[CBulla]

I've been under for a storm. It was quite... well, it was a nice light show and very interesting.

 

[Thalassamania]

I've been under for a storm. It was quite... well, it was a nice light show and very interesting.

More data please. How deep? Any physical sensation?

 

[knotical]

If you just saw lightning on the horizon, it’s probably far enough away to not be a problem. Did you hear the thunder? If so, you might determine how far away it was.

This site: A Lightning Safety Mandate For The Game Of Golf - National Lightning Safety Institute recommends a six-mile rule (for golf).

There are also several discussions here on ScubaBoard, including:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/196231-safe-depth-lightning-strike.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/195073-diver-killed-lightning-fl.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/113662-lightning-diving.html

 

[PerroneFord]

But my question is not that we are back, how does lighting really affect scuba divers?

YES! And it HURTS!

 

[scubatoys]

There are many times, especially in the islands, that you see lightening in the distance. I remember one of the dive masters I ran into down there used the expression, "If you don't hear it.... Don't fear it!"

 

[Guba]

I have a friend who was under when lightning apparently struck a surface buoy near him and his partner. They felt it (at at depth of about 35 feet and a range of about 20 horizontal feet for the mooring line to the buoy), and they described the sensation as "interesting". No damage, though.
It's noteworthy that all lightning strikes are not created equal, so anecdotal information is sketchy at best. Suffice it to say that, most likely, deep dives would be safer than shallow ones (naturally), and that you are probably safer under water than on the surface or in an open boat. Obviously, your most vulnerable time would be in getting in or out of the water during a lightning producing storm.

 

[drbill]

When I moved to Catalina many years ago, I had three phobias: lightning, flying and great white sharks. I'm cured of all but the lightning. Good thing we have very few (maybe 2-3 a year) lightning storms out here on the island!

I like ScubaToy's comment about if you don't hear it, don't fear it! I have dived during lightning storms, but never had a strike close to me. In general, if lightning is striking within a few miles, and I can hear the thunder, I'll abort a dive. If it is in the distance and does not appear to be moving my way, no problem.

 

[all4scuba05]

so if you have about 20 minutes of divetime available for the deep dive, and lighting is on the horizon, should we get into the boat with cabin or dive down for 20 minutes in hopes that lightning isn't there when we come up? I choose the boat.