Whereas thunderstorms aren’t all that frequent right here, we do expertise the odd one or two, particularly in the course of the summer season. What’s extra, there’s lots of suggestion that they’ll develop into extra frequent on this nation as the consequences of worldwide warming take maintain.
So, if you end up tenting and the climate takes a flip for the worst, you’ll most likely be questioning, is it secure to camp in a thunderstorm?
Whereas we wouldn’t advocate purposefully scheduling your tenting journey when there’s an opportunity of thunder, if you end up in a storm, you’re not in any fast hazard. The truth is, it’s stated that you just’re extra prone to win the lottery than you might be to be struck by lightning.
If these are the percentages, then there’s actually not an excessive amount of to fret about. I imply, I’m but to win massive on the Lotto so I’m not about to panic about getting hit by lightning.
With that in thoughts, you shouldn’t develop into blase about tenting in a thunderstorm as a result of naturally, there are dangers concerned. Being ready and guaranteeing you have got the appropriate gear will make your expertise rather more comfy and secure.
What Are The Dangers Of Tenting In A Thunderstorm?
One of the vital apparent dangers of tenting in a thunderstorm is being hit by lightning. Nevertheless, as I’ve talked about, the possibilities of this are slim. Though it may possibly and does occur and the easiest way to keep away from it’s to guard your self however I’ll clarify extra about that in a while.
For now, I needed to the touch on a few of the much less apparent points you would possibly face whenever you camp in a thunderstorm. For instance, falling tree branches will not be unusual and if certainly one of these hits your tent you then stand to be severely injured and even killed! For that reason, it’s a good suggestion by no means to pitch your tent beneath a tree that has weak, useless or rotting branches.
Secondly, you must think about that, in a really tough storm, your tent may blow away. Now that is excessive and maybe like one thing out of the Wizard of Oz but it surely does occur so ensure you purchase a sturdy tent that’s nicely anchored into the bottom.
Lastly, there may be the difficulty of publicity to the chilly and moist. If you find yourself getting soaked in a storm and your entire gear is moist then there’s an actual danger of hypothermia. To keep away from this, be sure that to make use of waterproof backpacks and when you do end up drenched, change out of your moist clothes as quickly as potential.
How Do I Keep Protected When Tenting In A Thunderstorm?
Avoiding tenting in a thunderstorm isn’t at all times potential particularly when the storm comes out of nowhere. Nevertheless, there are issues you are able to do to maintain secure and each sensible camper will keep in mind the following pointers for that one time they get caught within the eye of the storm!
Select The Proper Place To Pitch Your Tent
Lots of people fear that their tent poles will appeal to lightning nevertheless it is a frequent false impression. Most fashionable tents have poles constituted of both carbon fibre or plastic, neither of that are very sturdy conductors so that you’ll be fairly secure. That stated, in case you have an older tent with aluminium poles then this might appeal to lightning.
The factor with lightning is that it’s going to at all times discover the quickest path to the bottom. By guaranteeing that your tent isn’t the very best object inside the neighborhood, this boosts your security enormously.
That stated, the very last thing you need to do is to put your tent instantly beneath a taller object resembling a tree. Ought to this be hit, the flash or any ensuing fireplace could also be sufficient to injure you inside your tent.
The most effective place to pitch your tent is someplace low-lying. In fact, you’ll must just remember to’re not tenting in an space that’s liable to flooding so do your analysis on the world earlier than you go.
Suspecting A Storm
Generally a storm will come out of nowhere however there are sometimes indicators to indicate that one is on the way in which. Issues like darkish skies, puffy clouds, winds, a change in stress and temperature modifications can all sign a storm. Some individuals even simply get ‘that feeling.’
If you happen to do really feel {that a} storm is imminent then there are some issues you are able to do to enhance your possibilities of staying secure. For instance, in case you have time, you possibly can transfer your tent to a safer spot. You’ll most likely additionally need to placed on acceptable clothes and pack any gear away into waterproof luggage to guard it ought to any water get into the tent.
Whereas it is likely to be lovely and sunny one minute, the climate can change extremely rapidly. To keep away from getting caught out, it’s at all times a good suggestion to plan your journey with each eventuality in thoughts.
Discover Various Shelter The place Attainable
Your tent would possibly function a shelter usually but it surely’s probably not designed to guard you towards a storm. The place potential, you need to search out different shelter whereas the thunderstorm rages on.
Guarantee that, if you will search different shelter, that you just do that earlier than the storm is available in. If you must entry the shelter by opening a door with a metallic deal with, for instance, this isn’t one thing you’ll need to do when there may be lightning about.
You’ll be able to stay within the shelter for so long as you want however I might recommend staying till you possibly can now not hear the storm.
Relying on the place you might be, your choices for different shelter might differ. Your automobile is an effective place, supplied it isn’t a convertible. Whereas automobiles do include lots of metallic, in the event that they’re struck by lightning, this can solely journey across the outer half and received’t have an effect on anybody inside.
Some areas might have small buildings close by. If you happen to’re at a campsite then heading to the bathe block or bathrooms will be a good way to shelter from the storm.
In fact, there are some constructions that aren’t as appropriate for taking shelter. These embrace issues like outhouses or gazebos. So keep away from these and in the event that they’re all that’s out there then take your probabilities within the tent.
But when your tent does have poles that may act as conductors then it definitely isn’t the perfect place for you. On this occasion, you’re going to must assume exterior the field. Come out of the tent and transfer to a secure location that isn’t on a ridge or beneath any timber. You might need to search for a despair or cave to shelter from the rain till it passes.
With all that in thoughts, most fashionable tents are fairly secure in a storm they usually’ll preserve you dry. That is very true after they’re positioned in a low danger location.
Hold Off The Floor
It’d shock you to be taught that lots of lightning accidents don’t occur from a direct strike however are literally the results of the bottom conducting the bolt. What’s much more disconcerting is that this conduction can occur so far as 10 metres from the location of the strike. For that reason, it is sensible to maintain your self off of the bottom.
By no means lie instantly on it however as a substitute use a sleeping mat constituted of an insulating materials like foam. It may not provide full safety however ought to a bolt hit, you’ll be much better off than you’ll be when you have been instantly on the bottom.
Don’t Huddle In Massive Teams
Lots of people go tenting with their pals and households and this typically requires using a number of tents. Nevertheless, it’s not a good suggestion to put all of them very shut collectively when a storm is concerned.
Within the occasion that lightning hits and the tents will not be unfold out, there’s extra likelihood that extra individuals will get harm. If you happen to distance the tents from one another, it’ll be safer for almost all and any injured individuals will be handled by these which are unaffected.
Lightning can leap between individuals which are shut to at least one one other and this isn’t a danger you’ll need to take.
Take pleasure in Nature At Its Finest
All of this may sound fairly scary however one factor that we now have to bear in mind is {that a} thunderstorm is certainly one of nature’s most lovely occasions. So long as you might be secure then there’s no motive you possibly can’t sit again and watch this superb climate happening.
The sound of the wind howling, rain lashing towards the tent and the rumble of thunder are amongst a few of the most enjoyable and great sounds in nature. Once more, I’ve to emphasize that you need to put security first however don’t miss the chance to take pleasure in nature at its finest.
Conclusion
Tenting in a thunderstorm does include dangers however there are many methods you possibly can preserve your self secure. Most fashionable tents don’t have poles that conduct electrical energy so it’s unlikely that you just’ll be hit.
That stated, location is every little thing so at all times be sure that to keep away from tenting on excessive floor or beneath constructions resembling timber.
In lots of instances, it’ll be advantageous to remain in your tent however there could also be some excessive conditions that decision for the necessity to evacuate. Use your frequent sense and belief your intestine. If you happen to don’t really feel secure, do one thing about it.
