Author:
Machts René,Hunold Alexander,Drebenstedt Christian,Rock Michael,Leu Carsten,Haueisen Jens
Abstract
AbstractThere is evidence that humans can survive a direct lightning strike to the head. Our question is: could water (rain) on the skin contribute to an increase in the survival rate? We measure the influence of rain during high-energy direct lightning strikes on a realistic three-compartment human head phantom. We find a lower number of perforations and eroded areas near the lightning strike impact points on the head phantom when rain was applied compared to no rain. Current amplitudes in the brain were lower with rain compared to no rain before a fully formed flashover. We conclude that rain on the scalp potentially contributes to the survival rate of 70–90% due to: (1) lower current exposition in the brain before a fully formed flashover, and (2) reduced mechanical and thermal damage.
Funder
Carl Zeiss Foundation
Freistaat Thüringen
European Union
Technische Universität Ilmenau
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
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