Lightning strikes that occur in close proximity to the child are no less dangerous than direct discharges, especially if an object that has taken upon itself the full force and power of a lightning strike is as close as possible or in contact with the child - then the baby can receive no less "dose" of tension than when there was a blow to the child directly.
The most dangerous thing that carries a lightning stroke is a disturbance in the functioning of the heart system. At best, the heart rhythm is broken, and at worst - the heart just stops, unable to stand the discharge.
However, for example, if a lightning strike occurred in the vicinity of a child, or even got into a baby, then it is unlikely that internal organs (or tissues) will be damaged, since the discharge does not pierce the entire human body, it "moves "Only on its surface - that is, roughly speaking, on the skin.
If you did not see the strike, but you assume that it was carried out in close proximity to the baby walking nearby, then you should immediately check the crumb for the presence or absence of signs of lightning. What are these signs?
- Consciousness of the baby can be disturbed, sometimes there is a loss of consciousness.
- Changes in cardiac activity: the rhythm is broken or the activity has stopped, there is no breath.
- The child has cramps all over his body.
- On the skin, you see severe burns.
- The child's eyesight and hearing are upset, there may have been changes with the sensitivity of the skin.
Unlike when a child is struck by an electric shock and the rescuer needs to stay away from him at a considerable distance, it is not dangerous to touch the stricken person when striking lightning.
So, now we will pass directly to that very first aid, which should as soon as possible act the child struck by lightning. The order of your actions should be as follows:
- Immediately need to check and assess the overall condition of the baby: is the situation critical after a lightning strike? It often happens that after such a defeat the child needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which should be started immediately.
- If you feel that the work of the heart continues, breathing is present, but the kid still does not come to consciousness - then put it on the barrel so that it does not "fall in" and lay steadily.
- If, after a lightning strike, the consciousness does not leave the child, then put it on your back, and put something under your feet so that they are raised by 20-30 centimeters.
- If the place where the child struck by lightning is safe and does not harbor any other threats (for example, if this did not happen on the roadway), then do not move it until an ambulance arrives.
- If there are burns in the affected areas (and they are most likely there), then you should immediately give help with burns, namely:
- Cool the affected skin, while using not as much ice water, and cool (12-18 degrees), preferably - flowing, but if this is unrealistic, you can immerse the affected limbs in the water;
- The procedure for cooling the burned area with cool water should take n20 minutes - preferably, not less, but also no longer necessary;
- after cooling, the skin area that was burned due to a lightning strike should be covered from above with a clean towel soaked in cool water beforehand.
6. Most likely, the child will experience very great pain, so you need to give him some medicine that will remove this pain.
However, there are several safety rules during a thunderstorm, which both you and your baby should know, and always observe them as soon as a thunder in the blackened leaden sky (which, by the way, is a harbinger of lightning). So, what not to do and what to do if the storm caught you on the street?
- At all I do not advise to run.
- Open spaces, on which there is nothing that would rise above the ground, are the most dangerous. These are fields, forest edges and glades without thickets, beaches.
- Being in the water during a thunderstorm is extremely dangerous! Therefore, as soon as you notice that the sky has frowned, and somewhere in the distance thunder has thundered - immediately get out on the shore and advise to do it to your friends and children.
- If there is such an opportunity - remove wet clothes and change into something dry.
- It is considered safe to be in a car during a thunderstorm.
- Remember: metal and moisture attract lightning discharges, so avoid wet damp walls and metal fences.
- Antennas and electric transmission lines are another source of danger during a thunderstorm.
- Hiding under trees and bushes is not always safe, since lightning always falls into what is most high above the ground. Therefore, if the tree is the highest in the district, I would not advise you to look for shelter under it.
- If this is the only tree (pillar, or something else high) in the district - then do not stand under it and do not approach it.
- Do not hold anything metallic in your hands: no objects of kitchen utensils, axes and knives, etc.
- Step as far as possible from the creeks and rocks, do not try to hide in the hills and hills.
- If you are many, do not get lost in a heap - it's better to go around in different directions, spread out, but keep moving in one direction, so as not to get lost and not to be left behind.
- It is advisable not to stand on the ground - after all, after the rain, it will become wet, damp, which means it will be an excellent conductor for the discharge of lightning, if it hits somewhere nearby. Under your feet lay some clothes, put on branches or just lay polyethylene.
- It is best to hide from a thunderstorm and lightning in the lowlands: pits or ditches, in a ravine.
Remember these rules and always observe them if the storm has caught you far from home!