When lightning strikes. Pathophysiology and treatment of lightning injuries.

Lightning accidents are responsible for several hundred deaths and thousands of injuries each year in this country. Survivors sustain a variety of cardiac, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and dermatologic injuries. Eye and ear injuries are also occasionally noted. Education on how to minimize the possibility of such an accident is the best method of dealing with the problem. When prevention fails, prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation and supportive treatment for the patient's particular injury are indicated.