82% of U.S. Lightning Deaths Are Men. Why?

National Geographic: "The Odds of Being Struck in Your Lifetime is 1 in 3000."

Eighty-two percent of U.S. lightning victims are men. I was astounded by this revelation. Between 1995 and 2008 there were 648 deaths in the U.S. by lightning strikes. These facts are from the article, "Do Men Get Struck by Lightning More than Women?" on discovermagazine.com.

The article also says, "John Jensenius, a lightning safety expert with the National Weather Service, had this to say: 'Men are less willing to give up what they're doing just because of a little inclement weather... and will continue to engage in pastimes that make them vulnerable, such as fishing, camping and golfing. Recreational or sports-related activities are involved in almost half of all lightning-related deaths.'"

I also believe the macho attitude of many men contributes to their deaths. They don't like to exhibit fear to their male friends.

Then I began to recall my personal experiences. My wife and I have been golfing a few times when a storm would be approaching. She would say, "There is a storm coming. We need to be going. It's not safe to be out when it's lightning."

I thought to myself, "Oh no! We may be able to play another 3 or 4 holes before it starts to rain." After stalling a few more minutes, I reluctantly agree to head for the clubhouse thinking we had plenty of time if the storm was slow moving.

I have been a storm-watcher all my life. First you will see the ominous, menacing, black, cumulus clouds appear on the horizon. A little before they arrive overhead, they will be preceded by a stiff breeze which sometimes turns into a strong gale. Soon the black clouds are almost overhead, That is when I normally thought of taking cover from the storm. Behind the line of thunderheads will be a lighter colored, steel gray, solid cloud which is the raincloud. It is true there is a feeling of excitement, a rush of adrenalin which really makes you feel alive. Too bad this alive feeling doesn't last too long for some people, especially men.