If lightning strikes the ocean while you are in it how close does the strike have to be for you to feel it?

(4) On July 28, 2011 at 6:47 pm Chuck Quintero [0] said:

Lighting does not often occur in open ocean because it is extremely difficult for the ocean to form a streamer, the "positive" part of a lightning strike that comes up from the ground to meet a "negative" streamer from a cloud. Lightning only comes from an elevated point that has sufficient electrical resistance from the rest of the ocean to form that streamer. This could be a splash from a weapons test, or the top mast of a ship. Satellite observations of lightning show this effect: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast05dec_1/

(3) On April 14, 2010 at 7:50 pm Tesseral [0] said:

I was scuba diving in Cozumel during a lighting storm about 30 years ago. I was probably down about 50-60 feet when lightning struck the water's surface above me. The bolt spread out on the surface; I didn't feel anything.

(2) On September 5, 2009 at 2:23 am AnthonyS. [0] said:

I give electrical hazard presentations at elementary schools and also am a power lineman and frequently have been asked this question by the kids. I agree with most of what has been stated in this answer and is basically similar to the explanation I give the kids.

(1) On February 2, 2009 at 8:46 am Quirkyquantummechanic [3691] said:

Can this answer get any worst? Perhaps that's why it was given a Protect to prevent any more damage. There is a lot of incorrect information in this answer. Just so you know.

the Mechanic

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