> > I didn't read this particular article but the news report I heard on the
> > radio said that =IF= you get hit by lightning, having a cell phone or
> > other metallic object on you could cause injuries to be worse than they
> > otherwise would be.  This has something to do with the lightning stroke
> > staying on the surface of your body or something.
> >
> > They DIDN'T say that cell phones attract lightning.
>
> The MDs quoted thought that it was similar to holding a golf club, in
> attracting lighting.
> They did mention that if the metallic object was struck, that it might cause
> the current to flow more internally, but it was clear that they thought the
> phone attracted the lightning somehow.

Again, anyone standing out in an open space holding a metal rod aloft in
a lightning storm is at an obviously increased chance for being hit by
lightning.  And physically hit, not in close proximity to a strike.  Close
counts in lightning strikes every bit as much as it does in horseshoes and
hand grenades.

The comparison of using a cellphone during a storm and golfing during a
storm is (probably) fairly inappropriate.  Add to that the fact that a cell
is probably more plastic than metal (by volume at least, and the case and
everything in contact with your body is certainly plastic), well, I'll get
onboard classifying this as junk science.

I'll see if I can get a pic of that lightning strike.  All I have for
a camera is
my camera phone.  I'd better do it on a sunny day if I'm to be using my
cell outside!  Except, no, lightning never strikes twice...

Mike H.
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