The Lightning Crouch: What Not To Do If You're Caught Outdoors During A Thunderstorm

Were You Given This Outdated Lightning Advice?

Lightning, though mesmerizing to watch streak across the sky, is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. It’s important to follow lightning safety precautions when thunderstorms roll into your area, but there is one piece of advice you should let fall to the wayside: the lightning crouch.

The National Weather Service and National Lightning Safety Council stopped recommending the crouch almost 20 years ago after determining it does not offer any significant protection.

But the resurgence of this false safeguard across social media has heightened the call by these agencies to stop promoting the stance.

So, What Is The Lightning Crouch?

The lightning crouch is a body position where you crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet together and head lowered, covering your ears with your hands. This stance, as shown below, was previously thought to minimize the risk of being struck by lightning as well as minimize the path of electricity, if you are struck.

However, an analysis of the effectiveness of this safety position showed that it did not affect preventing lightning-related injuries.

“Promoting the crouch gives people the false impression that crouching will provide safety,” the National Weather Service stated. They also noted that these beliefs could lead to people becoming apathetic about seeking shelter during thunderstorms when caught outdoors.

“The sooner you get to a safe place, the less risk you’ll face. Crouching only prolongs the risk of being struck,” John Jensenuis, a lightning safety specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council, said.

So, what should you do to avoid being in this situation in the first place?

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

There is no safe place to be outdoors during a thunderstorm, so here are tips from the National Weather Service to help you be prepared ahead of time:

• Know your forecast

• Plan ahead and know where your safe place is

• Consider cancelling or postponing outdoor activities if storms are in the forecast

• Monitor the weather and take action early, if necessary

• Get inside a substantial building or hard-topped, metal vehicle before the weather arrives

• If you hear thunder, lightning is imminent - get to your safe place immediately

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.