Abstract:
We investigated the pathology of human trauma associated with lightning’s pressure blast wave. Within what
range is a human at risk and what are the risks? Two theories for the trauma currently exist: the flash moisture
vaporisation theory and the sixth mechanism theory. We performed a simple proof-of-concept experiment in
a high-voltage laboratory to determine which theory makes for better predictions. The experiment confirmed
the existence of a non-discriminant pressure blast wave around a spark in air. The lightning data were
compared with the known medical data. Findings may now help explain some of the more curious lightning
injury patterns seen on lightning-strike victims.
