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Original poster

Do you know to get out of the water if there's lighting around?

110 replies

MaggieFS · 03/09/2021 14:01

I'm currently on holiday and we're having frequent thunderstorms. There's one now and most people have left the pool but one family of two adults and two 5ish year old children and still swimming and have just cheered at an almighty grumble from the Gods.

It's a private apartment block so no lifeguards. I grew up in a hot country so it's ingrained to get out of the water but it's just set me wondering if people brought up in the UK who have less chance to swim outside and less frequent thunderstorms really know this?

OP posts:
SpringSparrow · 03/09/2021 15:14

I’d go and warn the people in the pool if I were you.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 03/09/2021 15:19

@clarkkentsglasses

Absolutely. Learned that at school. U.K.
Yup, me too, about 45 years ago. Nephew learned the same about 20 years ago. GNiece learned it about 3 years ago!
caughtinanet · 03/09/2021 15:20

I don't think I've ever heard that but not had any need to as I don't swim outside. I don't think there's necassarily something wrong with someone who doesn't know something that they've never needed to know

I can't honestly say what I would have done in this situation before you posted this but now I do so thank you

It's a little similar to the Boxing Day tsunami, who knew the warning signs before that?

bumblingbovine49 · 03/09/2021 15:24

@MaggieFS

I'm currently on holiday and we're having frequent thunderstorms. There's one now and most people have left the pool but one family of two adults and two 5ish year old children and still swimming and have just cheered at an almighty grumble from the Gods.

It's a private apartment block so no lifeguards. I grew up in a hot country so it's ingrained to get out of the water but it's just set me wondering if people brought up in the UK who have less chance to swim outside and less frequent thunderstorms really know this?

I think a lot of people in the UK are not aware of this. We went on holiday to somewhere with an outdoor jacuzzi this year and the instructions specifically said to come out of the water if there was a thunderstorm. I was pleased they did because DH loves jacuzzis and particularly likes being in them when it rains and we did have a thunderstorm that week. He actually came out of the water when the thunder started because of the holiday let instructions, otherwise I'm sure he would have stayed in as neither of us were aware of this being an issue .
AnyFucker · 03/09/2021 15:27

Have you considered telling them ? Hmm

Jenala · 03/09/2021 15:33

It should be common sense. I don't remember being taught it but seems obvious not to immerse yourself in a pool when there could be lightning. Last time we were on holiday there was a storm, but the other people there were quite bemused by me saying I thought it wouldn't be a good idea to go in the pool and acted like I was a weird, overthinking and anxious mum. Luckily a quick google and people believed me news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/5213234.stm.

MrsWooster · 03/09/2021 15:37

Never occurred to me and now I feel very dim!

BikeRunSki · 03/09/2021 15:40

Absolutely ! Fundamental science!

Aquamarine1029 · 03/09/2021 15:43

The mind boggles that an adult from a developed country wouldn't have the basic education and common sense to know this.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 03/09/2021 15:45

@careerchangeperhaps

Yes I knew. But probably only because I've been in Florida during a storm and the lifeguards evacuated Wet and Wild at a great pace when lightning started flashing nearby.
Was just going to say the same. They even close water rides in the parks during inclement weather.
Soupsseason · 03/09/2021 15:49

Are you going to mention it to them or just ponder here?.

hullaballoo19 · 03/09/2021 15:49

No I did not know this! I do know electricity + water not good but it's just never occurred to me before.. probably as you say, because it's never actually been relevant, I don't think I've ever been outside in water (except rain) when there's lightning. But also, while I'm academically intelligent, my common sense is a bit lacking Blush I once hung a picture directly above a light switch because I did not know that the cables go directly up and no one had told me they did. The person who pointed it out was like 'you do realise that's incredibly dangerous don't you?' and I was oblivious and had to have it explained to me!

Sunshinedrops85 · 03/09/2021 15:49

At my primary school in the UK, l I still remember a girl in my class crying after her cousin died after being struck by lightning.

NatashaRf · 03/09/2021 15:52

I'm not sure I'd know if it weren't for so many Florida holidays where lifeguards have made us leave the pool/waterparks.

Seems common sense but maybe not if you've never considered it or been told.

I'd be inclined to tell the swimmers though - imagine if the worst happened!!

idontlikealdi · 03/09/2021 15:57

Grew up in several countries and it's ingrained. It's such a rare event here that you are going to get large alights of people with no understanding.

diddl · 03/09/2021 15:58

The open air pool I use has guards & eveyone is called out.

Previously it's not a thing I would have known, but I would have got out because I wouldn't want to be outside in a storm!

CovidCorvid · 03/09/2021 16:00

Yes, there’s even a sign at the outdoor pool at centre parcs saying you must evacuate the outdoor bit in a thunder storm.

CovidCorvid · 03/09/2021 16:01

My dad also used to make us unplug the tv in a storm which annoyed me as a kid. Guess you don’t need to now as people don’t have metal aerials on their roof anymore? But my gran was watching tv in a storm many years ago and lightning hit the aerial and the tv exploded!

caughtinanet · 03/09/2021 16:09

@Sunshinedrops85

At my primary school in the UK, l I still remember a girl in my class crying after her cousin died after being struck by lightning.
In water? I've never even heard of anyone dying like that. Was it in recent years?
EmpressSuiko · 03/09/2021 16:12

Nope I wouldn’t know that but I don’t ever go swimming and never really have.

AnyFucker · 03/09/2021 16:23

I have had two tv’s kaputted with lightning

TheFormidableMrsC · 03/09/2021 16:34

Christ yes! I was on holiday in Florida years ago when a storm started. Fortunately everybody did get out of the pool and thank God they did because it was struck by lightning, smoke, sparks and everything. I've never seen anything like it in my life. I doubt anybody would have survived.

shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 16:35

The mind boggles that an adult from a developed country wouldn't have the basic education and common sense to know this.

Really? I expect it's one of those things that people just don't twig.

TheRealMrsJelly · 03/09/2021 16:38

I can't remember being told, but I'd definitely know not to stay in a pool (or any water) in a storm.

Notstandinguptoday · 03/09/2021 16:39

Thanks for the reminder OP.