Camping Safety Manual: Essential Tips for Tent and Camper Security
**Staying Safe During Thunderstorms While Camping in Germany**
For campers in Germany, preparing for, finding shelter during, and acting after a thunderstorm is crucial for safety. Here's a guide to help you navigate these potentially dangerous situations.
**Preparation before a Thunderstorm:**
Stay informed about thunderstorm warnings and timing by using reliable weather apps such as DWD WarnWetter, MeteoGroup WeatherPro, and Windy. Identify safe shelter options near your campsite, like sturdy buildings or designated storm shelters, and avoid camping in open fields, hilltops, near tall isolated trees, or water bodies. Follow the "30-30 Rule": count the number of seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder; if it's 30 seconds or less, the storm is within 6 miles and dangerous, so seek shelter immediately.
**Finding Shelter During a Thunderstorm:**
Seek enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing or a fully enclosed metal vehicle (not a convertible) for the safest protection. Avoid tents and open shelters as they do not provide adequate protection from lightning. If no shelter is available, crouch down low with feet together, minimizing contact with the ground, and do not lie flat.
**Actions After a Thunderstorm:**
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash before leaving shelter to ensure the danger has passed. Check your surroundings for hazards like fallen trees, flooding, or damaged campsite structures and proceed cautiously. Communicate with your group and provide first aid if needed.
**Additional Safety Tips:**
- Close everything: windows, doors, and roof vents must be completely closed during a thunderstorm. - Awning or pop-up roofs made of plastic create a gap in the protective cage. Close them during thunderstorms and stay away from this area, especially keep your head away from the roof. - Avoid water: don't shower, don't wash dishes, and don't touch metal water taps during a thunderstorm. - Retract antennas: retract satellite dishes and other antennas during a thunderstorm. - Never try to cross flooded roads or meadows during a flood. - If lightning strikes a camper with a conductive metal outer shell, the current flows along the outside and is discharged into the ground via the tires or supports, protecting the interior. - A vehicle with a closed metal hull (like a box van, camper van, or many semi-integrated motorhomes) acts as a safe Faraday cage during a thunderstorm. - If an evacuation is ordered during a flood, act immediately and calmly. - In case of a lightning strike, bring the victim to a safe area, alert the emergency services immediately, check consciousness and breathing, keep the victim warm, and cool visible burns with water. - If you're in a vehicle with a functional Faraday cage, leave the vehicle, seek shelter in a solid building or a car, or if not possible, crouch in the vehicle's center on the floor. - If you suspect that lightning may have struck your camper, carefully check the tires for small holes or cracks, the on-board electronics, and the gas lines for leaks. - A well-equipped travel first aid kit is invaluable when camping. For inclement weather, you should supplement it with a few additional items like an emergency blanket, a headlamp, a multi-tool, waterproof matches or a lighter, seam sealer, and specialized tape for quick repairs to your tent or gear. - Many caravans and motorhome bodies consist of insulating plastic without a continuous, conductive metal frame, offering no protection against lightning strikes.
By following these guidelines, campers can enhance their safety during summer thunderstorms in Germany. Remember, lightning risks persist even after the storm appears to pass, so caution throughout is key.
[1] Source: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross) - Thunderstorm Safety Tips [5] Source: Deutsche Wetterdienst (German Weather Service) - Thunderstorm Safety Tips
If you're an avid camper, transitioning from outdoor-living to home-and-garden during off-season, consider applying the same weather-awareness practices you use for camping. For instance, relying on reliable weather apps like DWD WarnWetter or MeteoGroup WeatherPro for home safety would keep you informed in other situations as well. Similarly, ensuring your home is protected from lightning moments, like staying away from open fields, tall isolated trees, or water bodies, can be incorporated into your other lifestyle choices to ensure a safer living environment.
