1. DeathandGrim

    DeathandGrim Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2012
    Messages:
    550
    Likes Received:
    95
    Location:
    Virginia Beach

    How to describe the feeling of an unusual injury

    Discussion in 'Research' started by DeathandGrim, Nov 13, 2013.

    I'm having trouble describing an injury that not many get every day: A lightning blast to the shoulder. Surprisingly, I'm stumped here.

    How do I go about describing something like that?
     
  2. A.M.P.

    A.M.P. People Buy My Books for the Bio Photo Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2013
    Messages:
    2,163
    Likes Received:
    1,374
    Location:
    A Place with no History
    Step 1 - Go to a farm
    Step 2 - place a boot to the electric fence
    Step 3 - wait 3 seconds
    Step 4 - Enjoy being flung 10 feet
    Step 5 - Memorize the feeling

    OR

    It feels sudden.
    You don't feel the shock or pain till AFTER.
    It's dull and numb, mostly physical panic as you try to understand what happened to you.
    You feel weird for a few minutes, goes away rather quick.
    It's more distressing than anything.
     
    DeathandGrim likes this.
  3. Wyr

    Wyr Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2013
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    88
    Location:
    São Paulo
    Just did a quick Google search (sorry, I don’t have any firsthand experience to offer you) and came up with a list of things that happens to you when you are struck by lightning. Hope it helps. :)

    1) Deep entry and exit wounds can occur where the lightning strikes the body and then exits the body. The wounds are sometimes accompanied by severe burns. Also, Lichtenberg scarring can occur over large areas of the body, often in bizarre fractal patterns, as a result of bursting blood vessels.
    2) The heat associated with the lightning strike can cause clothing to catch on fire. In addition, clothes can be shredded by the explosive force of air being superheated by the lightning bolt.
    3) The force of lightning exiting a person’s foot can easily blow off shoes.
    4) The electric discharge of a lightning strike can instantly stop the heart and cause cardiac arrest. This happened to a concert-goer at RFK during the 1998 Tibetan Freedom Concert.
    5) Brain damage and comas can occur if the electric current enters the skull. The associated heat from the electric current literally cooks brain cells.
    6) Nerves can be damaged or destroyed by the lightning’s electric discharge which can then lead to permanent paralysis or numbness in limbs.
    7) Ruptured ear drums are very common with lightning strike victims.
    8) Large pieces of jewelry, chains, and under wire bras may channel the electric current from a lightning strike. If the metallic items described above encounter lightning, the metal can superheat which will often burn and sear the skin.
    9) Some victims are left with constant muscle twitches and Parkinson’s Disease type symptoms.
    10) And, of course, death can occur. The majority of lightning strike victims do survive, but many will experience one or more of the issues described above.

    The article is here:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/05/08/ten-shocking-things-that-can-happen-if-you-are-struck-by-lightning/
     
    thewordsmith and Simpson17866 like this.
  4. DeathandGrim

    DeathandGrim Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2012
    Messages:
    550
    Likes Received:
    95
    Location:
    Virginia Beach
    I'll take it
     
  5. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    Start with the unending ringing in your ears. You just stood inside a lightning bolt. Noise? WHAT?

    Yeah. The sense you are most likely to lose?

    Hearing.
     
  6. thewordsmith

    thewordsmith Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2009
    Messages:
    868
    Likes Received:
    125
    Location:
    State of Confusion
    @Wyr: "1 - 10"

    I was about to make a comment somewhat along this same vein but, you did it so thoroughly, yup, pretty much covered the question.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice