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Has anyone ever died from lightning in a pool?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 22, 2026

Statistics from the US show that between 2006 and 2015, there were 71 water related deaths from lightning strikes of which 20% were of people in boats and 8% were swimming.

Has anyone been struck by lightning in a swimming pool?

Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring." So it sounds plausible that it could happen to you. But according to Aquatic Safety Research Group, "There are no documented reports of fatal lightning strikes at indoor swimming pools. None!

What happens if you are in the pool and it gets struck by lightning?

If you're in electrified water, you may suffer electric shock and burns, even if lightning doesn't hit you directly. You can die from indirect lightning strikes in pools, so you should avoid swimming during thunderstorms.

Should you get out of a pool if there is lightning?

The “30-30 Rule” is an effective rule of thumb for kids safety: evacuate the pool if the flash-to-bang count is under 30, do not return until 30 minutes have elapsed since the last thunder or lightning.

Is chlorine in swimming pools safe?

While chlorine is an effective option for disinfecting swimming pool water, it's not without its challenges. In fact, chlorine can be harmful to your eyes, hair, nails, lungs, and yes, even your skin.

18 related questions found

Do pools attract lightning?

Since the pump, lights and other facilities have power lines linked to the plumbing, a hit to any part of a pool complex can affect all of it. Water does not "attract" lightning.

Can you survive a lightning strike in water?

Only a small amount of water actually gets in, and the majority of water splashes out and around the bucket." The heat produced when it passes over the body can cause burns, but the strike lasts for so little time -- just a few microseconds -- that it rarely causes serious burns.

How long after lightning Can you swim?

(e.g., death, permanent neurologic impairment, severe burns), it makes the most sense to err on the side of safety and ask patrons of both indoor and outdoor to leave the water immediately and stay in an identified safe area free from contact with water, plumbing, or electrical circuits until 30 minutes after the last ...

Why can't you swim in an indoor pool during a thunderstorm?

Car accidents increase as well during thunderstorms due to hazardous road conditions. It is clear that closing indoor pools actually puts people at higher risk of being injured by lightning than allowing them to keep swimming.

Is it safe to swim in pool during thunderstorm?

Since water conducts electricity so well, there is no safe place in the water during an electrical storm. Lightning current dissipates in all directions. Even if the first strike was several miles away, you should never put yourself or your loved ones in danger.

Is it safe to swim in an outdoor pool during a thunderstorm?

Swimming, boating, personal watercraft or sail/surf boarding are all dangerous activities when lightning is in the area. Scientists know little about what happens when lightning hits water. It is not clear how deep a lightning strike will travel down through the water.

Is it safe to swim in the rain?

Heavy rain can hamper your visibility of the shoreline, causing you to become disoriented. Additionally, rains can cause bacteria and other harmful matter to be washed into the ocean and waterways; therefore, swimming should be avoided during and for 12 to 24 hours following heavy storms.

How far away from lightning is safe in water?

In a thunderstorm, being totally immersed in sea water is often a better bet that hiding out on your boat or surfboard, even with the chance of sharks! Basic principles suggest that the answer is 'very close' - within maybe tens of metres - so long as you are totally immersed in the water when the lightning strikes.

What happens if lightning strikes the ocean?

Lightning doesn't strike the ocean as much as land, but when it does,it spreads out over the water, which acts as a conductor. It can hit boats that are nearby, and electrocute fish that are near the surface. If you're at the beach and hear thunder or see lightning, get out of the water.

Has anyone been electrocuted in the shower during a thunderstorm?

THE FACTS It has the ring of an urban legend and seems too bizarre to be true. But the claim that taking a shower during a lightning storm can electrocute you is no old wives' tale, experts say.

Do trees attract lightning?

Trees attract lightning because they provide a path for lightning to travel from the storm cloud to the earth. Help protect your trees from lightning damage through the installation of a lightning protection system.

Can lightning give you superpowers?

This circumstance grants the user supernatural abilities by being in contact with lightning bolts. The effects of the lightning may grant Electrical-Based Powers, Weather Powers or any powers to the victim if they survive.

Can you survive a lightning strike in a car?

“If a car is struck by lightning, what happens is that the metal structure acts like a Faraday cage. This means the electricity is sent around the outside of the car and whatever is inside will remain unharmed.

What does getting hit by lightning feel like?

Immediately after being struck by lightning, there can be issues with your vision and hearing, due to the bright flash of lightning and the booming clap of thunder. In Justin's case, his ears were ringing immediately after being hit. According to Dr.

What happens when lightning strikes water and you are in a boat?

Even if the force of the bolt doesn't blow out a thru-hull or cause hull damage, it may cause a gradual leak that could go unnoticed and sink your boat. As part of its "sue and labor" provision, BoatUS Marine Insurance will pay to have your boat short-hauled to check for damage.

Is it OK to swim in a pool after it rains?

You might experience too much water in pool due to rain, hence, monitor your water level. Use your backwash line or waste to drain the excess water as the pool continues to get full. However, make sure you don't drain the water past the skinner openings to prevent the motor's burning due to the pump catching air.

Can you swim in ocean after rain?

The Department of Environmental Health recommends avoiding activities such as swimming, surfing, and diving for 72 hours after it rains. Research has shown that the risk of infection is the highest during and the day after rain, and declines to around normal levels after three days.

Can you swim in the ocean when it rains?

A good rule of thumb is to wait 72 hours after it rains before going into the ocean. Some scientists recommend five days, especially if the beach is close to an area where the river or an outfall dumps into the ocean.

Are boats grounded from lightning?

To protect yourself in a boat, the important thing is to give lightning a ground. Boats made of steel, such as naval vessels, have an automatic ground in their metal hulls; but most small boats, usually constructed of fiberglass or wood, prevent the lightning easy access to the water and pose a grounding problem.

What is the 30 30 rule for lightning?

Don't forget the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.