We had a pretty nasty (and close) thunderstorm on Sunday morning whilst camping. Hubby and I spent it trying to work out whether we were safer in the tent or the vehicle. Any advice. It wasn't overhead, but it got us to thinking what we should do if it was. Hubby reckons that the safest thing to do if you are out walking and get caught in the "eye of the storm" is to lie on the ground. Therefore he maintained that lying in the sleeping pod was safest. I wasn't so sure as we have metal tent poles.
Always get into your car or vehical or a building whenever a thunderstorm is overhead ,more and more epople every year are killed by lightening strikes ,you dont have to be struck either ! its not worth the risk ! the lightning does not recognise your tent as being there atall its you it wants a nice juicy sponge full of water that it can use to earth its self !
Just to echo R2D2s comments in teh earlier thread - get in the car; it is by far the safest place, even with fuel on board, it is much much safe than a tent.!
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
Chris, if hubby thinks that the best thing to do is lie in the sleeping pod (presumably tucked well in his sleeping bag) during a thunderstorm then me things he's scared sh*tless .
Best thing to do is tell him you've asked for advice on here and the best recommendation was to stand outside with a metal flagpole in one hand and a joint of bacon in the other, he'll have breakfast cooked in a jiffy
------------- CamperPete
Never be afraid to try something new, remember.... Amateurs built the 'Ark'... but Professionals built the 'Titanic' !!!
not been in a thunderstorm as yet in caravan...but have in a tent many times :(...i don't like it...be safe and get in the car... but be sure you time it right inbetween the lightning flashes!!
------------- The futures bright the futures podding!!!!
I have just caught up on the earlier threads and read in a lot of posts how you are more likely to be hurt in a road accident than hit by lightning. Well, that may be true in general, but the odds change somewhat if you are in the middle of a thunderstorm !
Get into the car - why on earth wouldn't you choose to be safe !
So (I may be being thick) just wanting to check, if it's the middle of the night it's best to pack you and the kids in the car? Has anyone doen this with sleeping tots?
Personally I would wake sleeping tots when storm is approaching and put them in the relative safety of a car, wrap them up in duvet or sleeping bag and wait for storm to pass.
Rather the inconvenience and the few tears of that than think what could happen if lightning struck tent......does'nt bare thinking about really.
Living in the Isle of Man where we only get thunder and lightning once or twice a year and only a really bad storm once every four or five years, I would'nt want to miss the show!!!
Aaargh - the only safe place is indoors under a table / in pantry / on the stairs away from all windows! (Make the hub bring you an alcoholic beverage and be prepared for the children wandering in to laugh at you periodically)
Seriously, watched a sciencey programme a while ago where a chap sat in his car while they pelted it with artificial lightning, conclusion being that it was the safest place to be. It's unlikely a tent would be struck but it may hit the tree overhead....
We were in the outdoor water park in Scarborough yesterday when the lightning started and the attewndants could not get people out of the water fast enough.
Quote: Originally posted by kim wilson on 13/6/2006
We were in the outdoor water park in Scarborough yesterday when the lightning started and the attewndants could not get people out of the water fast enough.