title: Does a sixth mechanism exist to explain lightning injuries?: investigating a possible new injury mechanism to determine the cause of injuries related to close lightning flashes.
abstract: Five mechanisms have been described in the literature regarding lightning injury mechanisms. A sixth mechanism is proposed in this article, namely, lightning barotrauma. A simple laboratory experiment was conducted using ordnance gelatin for ballistic studies. Lightning was simulated in a high-voltage laboratory using an 8/20-microsecond current impulse generator and discharged through ballistic gel. Temporary and permanent cavity formations were confirmed. The cavities formed were directly proportional to the currents used. Findings suggest that a sixth mechanism of lightning injury, namely, barotrauma, should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. ryan.blumenthal@up.ac.za
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blumenthal
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Jandrell
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D001469:Barotrauma / Q000209:etiology*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D005780:Gelatin; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D015168:Lightning Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D005780:Gelatin