A Bolt Out Of The Blue
A person struck by lightning is the second leading cause of storm-related deaths in the United States. At minimum, a lightning strike is both a serious medical and traumatic event that can lead to significant injury and/or permanent disability. This presentation will enlighten you to the various effects that a lightning strike has on the human body and the numerous anatomical and physiological complications that the pre-hospital provider must be aware of to triage and treat these victims properly. Come, listen, and see what all the thunder is all about!
Objectives:
- explain how lightning is generated and the basic mechanisms of injury resulting from a strike.
- describe the physiological effects that a lightning strike has on various body systems.
- conduct the initial triage and resuscitation of a patient struck by lightning.
- discuss the treatment rendered to a patient struck by lightning.