If you are caught in severe storm conditions, it is important to know what to do. You should seek shelter immediately if you are in a vehicle, or an enclosed structure like a house or building. If you cannot get to a safe place, stay away from all metal and anything else that is electric (including wires) and wait for the storm to pass before going back outside.

When boating in a thunderstorm, it is essential to have passengers sit low and close to the center of the boat. Lightning, as we all know, seeks the highest point on a body of water. Seating passengers in this way helps prevent them from falling over the sides. It is also important to remove all metal jewelry and disconnect any electrical equipment (including VHF radios).

You should also be aware of the type of weather you are in – this is why it is important to have a marine radio, so you can keep an ear out for warnings of impending storms. Look for dark clouds, lightning and a change in wind direction and/or temperature as these are all signs that bad weather is coming.

Winter storms can be just as dangerous as tropical storms and hurricanes. Be sure to dress in warm clothing, with a hat and gloves. A hat is especially important as it can keep you warmer as significant amounts of heat are lost through the head. A good quality hat should be made from wool or other natural fibers.