You have to keep in mind that the resistance from one foot to your other is going to be less than dry earth between your strides. This means if you are walking toward a downed power line, you may inadvertently walk within its path to its ground and the voltage could actually travel through you.
wewbull@feddit.uk 3 months ago
This is particularly applicable around downed power cables. Do NOT approach.
For example: in LA right now
EtherWhack@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Saleh@feddit.org 3 months ago
Why is this not knowledge taught in school?
It is the first time i hear about it and i have never thought of it, yet it makes total sense and could make the difference between life and death in a storm damaged area.
philpo@feddit.org 3 months ago
Well, we did learn exactly that in school and had a practical demonstration at a museum.
But on a different continent.
dil@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Yeah this should be up there with “stop, drop, and roll”
XpeeN@sopuli.xyz 3 months ago
Because magic™ is cool
Estebiu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
That’s so interesting. Thanks!
Naich@lemmings.world 3 months ago
The safest way to do it is to get someone else to touch it first.
tibi@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Especially dangerous if it’s a high voltage wire. Even standing close you can become the least resistant path to earth.
Estebiu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
For downed, you mean just a power cable that’s down on the ground but otherwise intact, or he’s only dangerous when cut?
MataVatnik@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Any cable that’s not where it’s supposed to be, just stay the fk away 👌 Even if it isn’t visibly cut there could be a short somewhere
Estebiu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
mhh, you have a point.
MataVatnik@lemmy.world 3 months ago
dO nOT toUch the DoWn wIres uuuum I have MY RIGHTS to turn myself into a gas station hotdogs thankyouverymuch