These are not tattoos...

[lspencer534]

They're called Lichtenberg "scars", or more accurately Lichtenberg Figures:

http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww22/lspencer534/lichtenberg_zpsfa7e7290.jpg

This is how they look generated in a laboratory:

http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww22/lspencer534/lichtenberg-figure_zps31e764fb.jpg

Do you know what causes them? No Googling, please.

[Gozar]

I am pretty sure those are scars that are created from being struck by lightning.

:yesnod:

[ApexOversteer]

Do you know what causes them? No Googling, please.

Obadiah Stane presses a button.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/6.jpg

[Blademaker]

I am pretty sure those are scars that are created from being struck by lightning.

:yesnod:

This

Definitely :seasix:

I just read a book where one of the charecters had them.

[Rob]

I have been close enough that the hairs on my arms and legs stood out while on a mountain during a thunderstorm.

[Blademaker]

I have been close enough that the hairs on my arms and legs stood out while on a mountain during a thunderstorm.

You're lucky you didn't get hit. :yesnod:

[Doug28450]

I was flying a P-3 over the Atlantic between some thunderstorms. The thunderstorms decided to mate. A fireball shot down through the tube of the P-3 that I will never forget.

[lspencer534]

I am pretty sure those are scars that are created from being struck by lightning.

:yesnod:

Yep. From Wiki:

Lichtenberg figures may also appear on the skin of lightning strike victims. These are reddish, fernlike patterns that may persist for hours or days. They are also a useful indicator for medical examiners when determining the cause of death. Lichtenberg figures appearing on people are sometimes called lightning flowers, and they are thought to be caused by the rupture of capillaries under the skin due to the passage of the lightning current or the shock wave from the lightning discharge as it flashes over the skin. A lightning strike can also create a large Lichtenberg Figure in grass surrounding the point struck. These are sometimes found on golf courses or in grassy meadows. Fulgurites may also be created as sand and soil is fused into glassy tubes by the intense heat of the current.

[lspencer534]

I have been close enough that the hairs on my arms and legs stood out while on a mountain during a thunderstorm.

That is usually an indication that you are going to be struck or that lightning will strike very near you. If that happens again, fall to the ground and ball up.

[ApexOversteer]

During thunderstorms, I often think of Roy Sullivan, the park ranger that was struck by lightning seven times over a 35 year period, surviving each strike.

After the fourth time, he began to carry water with him at all times, to douse his hair, which had a habit of bursting into flames upon Sullivan being struck by a bolt.

The seventh strike, occurring while Sullivan was fishing, was immediately followed by a bear attack, as Sullivan was attempting to return to his car. The bear was repulsed with a handy tree branch.

Sullivan once mentioned that he was actually struck eight times, but since the first strike happened while he was a child and could not be verified by authorities like the other seven, he never counted it.

[JRD77VET]

During thunderstorms, I often think of Roy Sullivan, the park ranger that was struck by lightning seven times over a 35 year period, surviving each strike.

After the fourth time, he began to carry water with him at all times, to douse his hair, which had a habit of bursting into flames upon Sullivan being struck by a bolt.

The seventh strike, occurring while Sullivan was fishing, was immediately followed by a bear attack, as Sullivan was attempting to return to his car. The bear was repulsed with a handy tree branch.

Sullivan once mentioned that he was actually struck eight times, but since the first strike happened while he was a child and could not be verified by authorities like the other seven, he never counted it.

I think he was the ranger on the Johnny Carson show, he had a hat with a hole burnt in it. :angel:

[ApexOversteer]

I think he was the ranger on the Johnny Carson show, he had a hat with a hole burnt in it. :angel:

He was indeed. He is in the Guinness Book Of World Records too... not a record I'd want to attempt breaking myself.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/RoyS_gw_Th.jpg

[JRD77VET]

He was indeed. He is in the Guinness Book Of World Records too... not a record I'd want to attempt breaking myself.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/RoyS_gw_Th.jpg

That's the guy I remember. He had a good sense of humor too. Johnny and him were laughing pretty good :seasix:

[island14]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEZVYPK_CqM/UD1hJT9HuXI/AAAAAAAAEjM/2uv6JSrrU_g/s1600/the-frankenstein-monster-dick-bobnick.jpg

[island14]

I was flying a P-3 over the Atlantic between some thunderstorms. The thunderstorms decided to mate. A fireball shot down through the tube of the P-3 that I will never forget.

I wouldda prolly shit..

[RonC5]

In a former period of my life, I worked for a major airline. We had a flight that arrived from JFK, flew thru thunderstorms into Orlando. I was the first one to touch the plane when I grabbed the cargo door handle, the static discharge blew be back 15-20 feet and left nasty blisters on 3 fingers. Never, ever was the first to touch a plane after that.

[Rob]

You're lucky you didn't get hit. :yesnod:

That is usually an indication that you are going to be struck or that lightning will strike very near you. If that happens again, fall to the ground and ball up.

Yes - we hit the ground fast. We learned to lay down on your belly with toes touching the ground