Stay safe, the perfect photo isnt worth the risk

bren2002

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/man-30-dies-after-being-swept-off-cliff-rocks-into-sea-while-taking-photographs-36484915.html

A man has passed away in hospital after he was rescued from the sea in Co Clare on Saturday afternoon.

The 30-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition following the incident at Creeragh near Kilkee.

It is believed he was struck by a rogue wave while taking photographs at the base of a cliff off the Dunlicky coast road.

CabanSail

There can be all sorts of hazards


This made the national news recently

Adelaide man Antony Van Der Meer, who was struck and killed by lightning at the popular Kings Canyon site in the Northern Territory, had been carrying a camera tripod which acted as a conductor, police have said.

stronglikebull

CabanSail wrote: »

There can be all sorts of hazards


This made the national news recently
"had been carrying a camera tripod which acted as a conductor, police have said"

I always chuckle a little when I hear stories like that in the press. Any small metal object you carry (golf club, umbrella, tripod, fishing rod, etc) is going to offer almost nothing to attract a lightning bolt traveling from 5-10km in the air with maybe 100 million volts behind it. It's dangerous for the police and media to be spreading falsehoods like this as it gives the impression you are safe if you don't carry something metallic on your person, when you are in fact not any more or less safe. If the man were standing there in rubber boots and a plastic hat, he'd unfortunately still have been hit by that lightning bolt.

Dangers exist anywhere you go. The fear of freak waves or lightning bolts shouldn't stop you doing whatever your outdoor activity is. But obviously, don't take stupid risks.