GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS TO ADD TO YOUR PROTOCOL FOR LIGHTNING

1 Appoint someone in charge of afterschool sport but specifically for lightning detection.

2 Invest in a rain gauge – AcuRite and Oregon Scientific are rated by nerdtechy as some of the most accurate devices to buy. 3 Invest in a high-end lightning detector. 4 Buy a siren for the sole purpose of notifying people to get to safety.

5 Establish evacuation procedures to designated safe areas when a storm occurs.

6 Build earthed safety areas on or near open-fields like cricket pitches for players to be safe in case of a storm.

7 If the storm is 25 to 30km away, the siren must go off and immediate evacuation must take place until the “clear” has been signalled through a follow up siren announcement.

8 All coaches and teachers have to abide by protocol or face disciplinary action by the school.

9 After 30 minutes of the storm clearing and the electrical cell 25km to 30km away, play may resume but the person on duty must watch that the cell does not circle back.

10 If there is a cup final on and a big attendance is expected, then schools can phone Weather South Africa for an update on what to expect.

11 During storm season every coach practicing or playing a match should carry a handheld device as added precision. This will act as a fail-safe system for the siren.

More than one person becomes accountable for saving lives.