Detecting in Thunderstorms

[Devonboy]

Got up at 3.55 this morning with the intention of going on a beach hunt. I went to the front door to check the weather as the forecast was a bit iffy. It was dry so I went to the bedroom to get dressed whereupon there was a flash of lightning followed by another.

I thought shall I carry on and chance getting caught in a thunderstorm or should I get back into bed, so I went back to bed.

While laying there I began to wonder how safe it is to detect in a thunderstorm, I mean are you more likely to get struck by lightning while walking up and down swinging a metal pole with a disc on the end than if you weren't using a detector?

Any answers would be appreciated, Tony

[Redcap]

I don't think it would be a good idea, it's probably worse than walking around a golf course carrying a seven iron

[slowsweep]

i dont think walking around MD'ing would increase your chances of being struck, however, waving the MD above your head would as lightening always takes the quickest route to the ground ie, tallest tree, building, person. thats why you should never take cover under a tree

[JBM]

Can you imagine the SHOCK of suddenly finding yourself on the other side and being told that you just have time to add your name to the following days dig. Jerry.

[redwulf500]

hi it may not be good for detectors , years ago i went out with my fisher 1265x and it started lightning thundering and the machine shut off, and would not come back on if i recall it needed a new resistor or something similar. i am convinced it was the lightning which knackered it..

[MarkSussex]

At the end of the day, what's the point taking the risk detecting in thunder and lightening. Going out in it, you will always have the risk of being struck, sitting indoors you won't....Simple.

[pasttarg]

plenty of folks have been zapped by bolts in such weather and not a good idea. some years ago some gals in hyde park in london attracted bolts to their wired bras and died ,so a machine will attract bolts for sure. even under a tree you are not safe in such weather so stay home

[Devonboy]

I thought shall I carry on and chance getting caught in a thunderstorm or should I get back into bed, so I went back to bed.

probably you did the best thing by going back to bed. I just hope though that your bed has rubber wheels on it



.
Glen

Hi Glen,

How about if I put a welly boot under each leg of my bed as protection during future thunderstorms.
That should work, shouldn't it?

Tony

[oldartefact]

I thought shall I carry on and chance getting caught in a thunderstorm or should I get back into bed, so I went back to bed.

probably you did the best thing by going back to bed. I just hope though that your bed has rubber wheels on it



.
Glen

Hi Glen,

How about if I put a welly boot under each leg of my bed as protection during future thunderstorms.
That should work, shouldn't it?

Tony

Not being funny but I think it would work better if you squeezed your head inside one!! or two depending on how big it is!

[Grott]

Myself and a couple of pals were out this afternoon and Odin sent down the rain and thunder and lightening and the most worrying thing for me was my stainless steel flask in my back pack.

[oldartefact]

Myself and a couple of pals were out this afternoon and Odin sent down the rain and thunder and lightening and the most worrying thing for me was my stainless steel flask in my back pack.

LOL ... seriously though ... some folk have metal plates pinned to their skulls ... so count yourself lucky!!!

[Devonboy]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Tony

[oldartefact]

I'd be careful after reading this
http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/PICT ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So do I take it that I canm expect one half of my body to be fried ... and the other half left intact???