A 13-year-old boy was struck by lightning while playing a video game and fortunately lived to tell the tale. It will undoubtedly be a moment gamers won't soon forget and will serve as an important reminder to exercise caution during lightning storms.
Although many people never experience it, homes can be struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. People in stormy areas are often advised to stay away from items such as wired electronics and not to run faucets or showers during a lightning risk. Because scenarios like this are rare, but completely possible.
13-year-old boy survives electric shock from lightning
Lightning may pose a hazard in video games, but a 13-year-old boy named Vlad Skuridin experienced this in real life. He takes nothing for granted after surviving being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm while sitting in his home. The teenager, who lives in Texas, was playing a game during the storm when lightning struck his home and the electricity traveled until it reached the gamer's metal desk before leaping into his abdomen. The incident caused the teen to jump and start screaming, and was so scary and painful that he thought he might not survive the situation. His father called 911, and Emergency Medical Services evaluated the teen and determined he was OK and did not need to go to the emergency room.
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Although the impact did not cause any permanent damage to Vlad, the house was not significantly damaged. The electric shock was significant and appears to have been transmitted through the house's wiring. This caused a fire in the attic and a hole in the wall, but fortunately the house was intact. Although Vlad was physically fine, the gamer was seriously agitated and said he now feels “it could end at any moment” and still feels dizzy. There was no mention of his gaming equipment or whether it made it through the incident without incident.
There are plenty of people out there who have successfully played through the storm without any issues, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen at all. Several Twitch streamers were recorded live on camera, and electrical surges sometimes caused visual and audio distortions in their streams. While some of these incidents only caused temporary discomfort, there have been instances where gamers have suffered actual burns from electrical surges. In one unfortunate incident, a streamer received an electric shock through his ear after an electrical surge traveled through his wired earbuds. Several controllers were also permanently damaged or completely destroyed.
Although it may seem excessive to some, it's not a bad idea to exercise caution when thunderstorms are forecast or when you're active outside. According to Consumer Reports, wireless electronics like cell phones and laptops are not dangerous as long as they are not connected. So, if you want to stay safe even in inclement weather, it is best to use portable gaming machines and battery-powered devices. Surge protectors cannot protect against lightning strikes, so it is best to unplug vulnerable electronic devices if lightning is expected in your area.
