What is the best practice for a group of kayakers during lightning?

• A. Gather under the tallest tree
• B. Stay close to water
• C. Spread out, avoid tallest objects
• D. Stay on open deck

Answer: (C)

When lightning is around, the goal is to minimize exposure and avoid pathways that can conduct electricity. Water and boats are conductive, and tall objects attract lightning, so the safest move on the water is to create distance from others and from any tall objects that could be struck.

Spreading out reduces the chance that a single strike will affect many people and can limit the spread of ground current along the surface. Avoiding the tallest objects lowers the risk of being struck or being in a spot where a lightning bolt’s path is more likely. The other options place you in greater danger: sheltering under a tree can bring down branches or the tree itself; staying near or on the water keeps you in a highly conductive environment; and staying on an open deck leaves you with little protection from a direct strike.