R4 lightning strikes

A surgeon on R4 this am warned that using mobile phone in open
space could cause lightning strike.
I had read that you should not discard metal things in a thunder
storm, like ice axes.

Attempting to think about the science involved, its quite easy to
see how a (non cable) phone connected to an overhead line is a
risk, it offers a path from earth to charged cloud.

I can see an ice axe on your pack heightens risk by sticking up
above your head, as can a golf club.

But is a piece of metal below head height and not earthed,
actually increasing risk of lightning strike as the man said on
the Today programme?
--
Mike Reid
Shetland, Yell and Unst
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepics.htm#shetland";
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: R4 lightning strikes
    ... space could cause lightning strike. ... storm, like ice axes. ... I can see an ice axe on your pack heightens risk by sticking up ... But is a piece of metal below head height and not earthed, ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: R4 lightning strikes
    ... space could cause lightning strike. ... I can see an ice axe on your pack heightens risk by sticking up ... But is a piece of metal below head height and not earthed, ... The article said that the girl suffered brain and muscle damage similar to that of many lightning victims but what was different was that she had a perforated eardrum on the side where she had been holding her mobile, damage that was apparently similar to someone exposed to an explosive blast. ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
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  • Re: R4 lightning strikes
    ... there was a suggestion that a mobile phone in ... a thunderstorm might cause damage. ... combined with the high field from the impending lightning strike, ...
    (uk.rec.walking)