If you encounter rain or a thunderstorm while in a wide, open area, the best position for you is to kneel down with your knees close together, placing both hands on your knees and leaning forward. During this time, if you also put on a raincoat, you will have a very effective “shield” to protect against lightning…
The basic principle for the best lightning protection position is to get as low as possible, avoiding direct lightning strikes and minimizing the area of contact between your body and the ground.
Absolutely avoid seeking shelter in caves or depressions, as the ground is an excellent conductor of electricity. If possible, use fabric or clothing rolled tightly into a bundle about 10 cm thick and kneel on it to completely isolate your body from the ground. If you are in a group, quickly separate; do not stay in one place together. For those driving a car, if you cannot find a truly safe shelter, it is best to remain still inside the vehicle.
The following locations should be avoided for shelter if you want to steer clear of lightning: a large solitary tree in an open area (especially those with low branches extending far), areas near power lines, antenna towers, railway tracks, metal fences, lakes, swimming pools, wide beaches, riding bicycles, standing next to cars, or crawling under vehicles.
