What position should you take if you are caught in an open area during a lightning storm?

When caught in an open area during a lightning storm, crouching low with only your feet touching the ground is the safest position. This posture minimizes your height and reduces the risk of being struck by lightning. By being in a crouched position, you limit your contact with the ground and lower your profile, making you less of a target.

This position allows you to reduce the risk of being electrocuted, as lightning tends to seek out tall objects. Therefore, staying low is a protective measure against potential strikes. Additionally, crouching helps to decrease the likelihood of a ground current spreading out from a lightning strike.

Choosing to lie flat on the ground raises the risk of being hit, because you provide a larger surface area for the lightning to strike, and it also increases exposure to ground currents. Standing tall with arms raised only makes you a more attractive target for lightning. Running to the nearest building may be dangerous, as lightning can strike as one is moving, potentially leading to accidents or exposure to falling debris. Crouching low offers the best chance of minimizing injury in a situation where immediate shelter is not available.