Wearing headphones during lightning is dangerous, because the electronic devise plugged into ear can change physics of flashovers.
"Most people hit by lightning get away with minor burns," said radiologist Eric J. Heffernan of Vancouver general hospital. "It's because skin is highly resistant and stops electricity from entering the body. It's called the flashover effect -- although it can stop your heart and kill you."
In 2005 a 37-year old Canadian jogger was listening to his favorite iPod in Burnaby, in British Columbia. Lightning hit a close tree and then hit him. Without iPod and headphone this man could suffer less.
But in this case his body was burned along the headphone’s cords. In similar cases one’s ears can be suffered to deaf.
“Although the use of a device such as an iPod may not increase the chances of being struck by lightning, in this case, the combination of sweat and metal earphones, directed the current to, and through, the patient’s head,” said Eric J. Heffernan.
As Dr. Heffernan says, this is a very serious warning for all electronic device carriers, not only just iPods. He warns everyone to stay indoor during lightning first of all. And the second to take headphones off and stay away from any electronic device. HULIQ
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
