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The protection from ground-current injury should consist of getting on rock with the least slope available. The climber should be sure that he stays as far from the wall as possible to minimize the danger of a discharge from the wall to the body. One point of contact with the rock should be the maximum. The danger of rappelling is immediately apparent, as it automatically gives the climber two points of contact with a very great potential difference. Combining the precautions against both ground currents and a direct strike, we find that the best position would consist of squatting with the head down and feet together in the middle of a wide ledge or as gentle a slope as is available. Ice ax, crampons, pitons, and other sharply pointed objects should be some distance away. Possibly the ice axes could be placed ferrule up to form crude lightning rods (especially if the handle is wet or its conductivity is otherwise improved, e.g., by wire). |
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