Whereas thunderstorms aren’t all that frequent right here, we do expertise the odd one or two, particularly through the summer season. What’s extra, there’s a whole lot of suggestion that they’ll turn out to be extra frequent on this nation as the results of world warming take maintain.
So, if you end up tenting and the climate takes a flip for the worst, you’ll in all probability be questioning, is it secure to camp in a thunderstorm?
Whereas we wouldn’t suggest 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. In actual fact, it’s stated that you simply’re extra prone to win the lottery than you might be to be struck by lightning.
If these are the chances, then there’s actually not an excessive amount of to fret about. I imply, I’m but to win large on the Lotto so I’m not about to panic about getting hit by lightning.
With that in thoughts, you shouldn’t turn out to be blase about tenting in a thunderstorm as a result of naturally, there are dangers concerned. Being ready and making certain you will have the suitable gear will make your expertise way more comfy and secure.
What Are The Dangers Of Tenting In A Thunderstorm?
One of the crucial 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 well and does occur and one of the simplest ways to keep away from it’s to guard your self however I’ll clarify extra about that in a while.
For now, I wished to the touch on among the much less apparent points you would possibly face whenever you camp in a thunderstorm. For instance, falling tree branches aren’t unusual and if one among these hits your tent you then stand to be significantly injured and even killed! Because of this, it’s a good suggestion by no means to pitch your tent beneath a tree that has weak, lifeless or rotting branches.
Secondly, you must contemplate 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 however it does occur so be sure you purchase a sturdy tent that’s effectively anchored into the bottom.
Lastly, there’s the difficulty of publicity to the chilly and moist. If you find yourself getting soaked in a storm and your whole gear is moist then there’s an actual threat of hypothermia. To keep away from this, ensure that to make use of waterproof backpacks and when you do end up drenched, change out of your moist clothes as quickly as attainable.
How Do I Keep Secure When Tenting In A Thunderstorm?
Avoiding tenting in a thunderstorm isn’t all the time attainable particularly when the storm comes out of nowhere. Nevertheless, there are issues you are able to do to maintain secure and each smart camper will keep in mind the following tips 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 entice lightning nevertheless this can be a frequent false impression. Most trendy tents have poles comprised of both carbon fibre or plastic, neither of that are very sturdy conductors so that you’ll be fairly secure. That stated, when you have an older tent with aluminium poles then this might entice lightning.
The factor with lightning is that it’ll all the time discover the quickest path to the bottom. By making certain that your tent isn’t the best object inside the neighborhood, this boosts your security enormously.
That stated, the very last thing you wish to do is to put your tent immediately beneath a taller object comparable to a tree. Ought to this be hit, the flash or any ensuing fireplace could also be sufficient to injure you inside your tent.
The perfect 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 prone to flooding so do your analysis on the realm earlier than you go.
Suspecting A Storm
Typically a storm will come out of nowhere however there are sometimes indicators to point out that one is on the best way. Issues like darkish skies, puffy clouds, winds, a change in stress and temperature modifications can all sign a storm. Some folks even simply get ‘that feeling.’
In case you 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, when you have time, you may transfer your tent to a safer spot. You’ll in all probability additionally wish to placed on applicable clothes and pack any gear away into waterproof luggage to guard it ought to any water get into the tent.
Whereas it may be lovely and sunny one minute, the climate can change extremely shortly. To keep away from getting caught out, it’s all the time a good suggestion to plan your journey with each eventuality in thoughts.
Discover Different Shelter The place Attainable
Your tent would possibly function a shelter generally however it’s not likely designed to guard you in opposition to a storm. The place attainable, you must hunt down various shelter whereas the thunderstorm rages on.
Make it possible for, if you’re going to search various shelter, that you simply 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 wish to do when there’s lightning about.
You possibly can stay within the shelter for so long as you would like however I’d recommend staying till you may not hear the storm.
Relying on the place you might be, your choices for various shelter could differ. Your automotive is an effective place, supplied it isn’t a convertible. Whereas automobiles do include a whole lot of metallic, in the event that they’re struck by lightning, it will solely journey across the outer half and gained’t have an effect on anybody inside.
Some areas could have small buildings close by. In case you’re at a campsite then heading to the bathe block or bogs might be an effective way to shelter from the storm.
In fact, there are some constructions that aren’t as appropriate for taking shelter. These embody issues like outhouses or gazebos. So keep away from these and in the event that they’re all that’s accessible then take your probabilities within the tent.
But when your tent does have poles that can act as conductors then it definitely isn’t the perfect place for you. On this occasion, you’re going to need to 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 melancholy or cave to shelter from the rain till it passes.
With all that in thoughts, most trendy tents are fairly secure in a storm they usually’ll preserve you dry. That is very true after they’re positioned in a low threat location.
Maintain Off The Floor
It would shock you to study that a whole lot 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. Because of this, it is sensible to maintain your self off of the bottom.
By no means lie immediately on it however as a substitute use a sleeping mat comprised 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’d be when you have been immediately on the bottom.
Don’t Huddle In Massive Teams
Lots of people go tenting with their pals and households and this usually 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 aren’t unfold out, there’s extra likelihood that extra folks will get harm. In case you distance the tents from one another, it’ll be safer for almost all and any injured folks might be handled by these which are unaffected.
Lightning can bounce between folks which are shut to at least one one other and this isn’t a threat you’ll wish to take.
Get pleasure from Nature At Its Finest
All of this will sound fairly scary however one factor that we’ve to bear in mind is {that a} thunderstorm is one among nature’s most lovely occasions. So long as you might be secure then there’s no purpose you may’t sit again and watch this wonderful climate going down.
The sound of the wind howling, rain lashing in opposition to the tent and the rumble of thunder are amongst among the most stress-free and fantastic sounds in nature. Once more, I’ve to emphasize that you must put security first however don’t miss the chance to take pleasure in nature at its greatest.
Conclusion
Tenting in a thunderstorm does include dangers however there are many methods you may preserve your self secure. Most trendy tents don’t have poles that conduct electrical energy so it’s unlikely that you simply’ll be hit.
That stated, location is every little thing so all the time ensure that to keep away from tenting on excessive floor or beneath constructions comparable to timber.
In lots of instances, it’ll be fantastic 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. In case you don’t really feel secure, do one thing about it.
