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John's Clips
John V. Stawovy, Head Course
Superintendent, CGCS.
Often
times, there may be maintenance procedures done to the golf courses
that some may not understand. This page is intended to provide the
golfer with valuable information that may answer those questions.
All information is provided by John V. Stawovy CGCS, Head Course
Superintendent and a Certified member of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America.
Don’t Tread
Lightning
It always seems to happen when you
are having the round of your life. The sky darkens, the wind picks
up and the thunder begins to roll across the golf course.
It’s tempting to convince yourself and your playing partners that
there is enough time to finish your round, or at least a few more
holes. If you play on, instead of seeking shelter, your great round
could become the last round of your life.
Every year more people are killed or injured by lightning than by
tornadoes, floods or hurricanes. In fact, it's estimated that in the
United States, as many as 300 people are killed by lightning each
year.
Key points:
Seek shelter at the first sign of a thunderstorm. If the course's
warning system sounds, take cover. If possible, get off the
golf course or go to a designated lightning shelter.
Do not stand under a lone tree. This is where most people are
injured or killed.
Stay away from water. Stay away from your golf clubs. If your
shoes have metal spikes, take them off. Move away from your
golf cart. If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as
a ravine or valley.
Because of the generally open areas with scattered individual trees,
golf courses are dangerous places during a thunderstorm. A lightning
bolt will take the shortest route between the cloud and the ground,
which means that a golfer standing in the middle of a fairway or
huddled under a tree is a prime target for a strike.
However, there are several safety measures you can take to avoid
being hit by lightning:
First aid If a player in your group is struck by lightning, the
person is no longer carrying any electrical current, so you can
apply first aid immediately. The golfer will be burned and have
received a severe electrical shock.
People who have been apparently "killed" by lightning can be revived
if quick action is taken. If you must make a choice, treat those who
are not breathing first -- those who are unconscious but still
breathing will probably come out of it on their own.
First aid should be rendered to those not breathing within four to
six minutes to prevent irrevocable brain damage. Mouth-to mouth
resuscitation should be administered once every five seconds to
adults and once every three seconds to infants and small children.
However, if the victim is not breathing and has no pulse,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary, but should be
administered only by persons with proper training. You should also
check for burns along the extremities and around areas in contact
with metal, give first aid for shock and then send for help.
For more information regarding golf course management practices,
contact your local superintendent or the GCSAA at (800) 472-7878 or
www.gcsaa.org
Email
John a maintenance question
Visit
www.gcsaa.org
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