Thunder & Lightning Protocol
This is our Thunder & Lightning Protocol for our staff. I am publishing it here so that our guests know that we have their safety as priority.
Posted on Thu 17 Jul 2025 · by Danny
1. Monitoring Conditions
Check the Met Office forecast at the start of your shift and keep an eye on the radar throughout the day.
Set alerts (Met Office app, LightningMaps.org) to flag lightning in the area.
Most important: watch the sky. If you see lightning, or hear frequent thunder that follows lightning within 30 seconds, the storm is within 10km and dangerous.
→ In the UK, we often hear thunder without visible lightning. Don't evacuate for thunder alone unless it's close, frequent, or comes with other signs like dark skies or sudden gusty winds.
2. When Lightning Is Seen or Thunder Is Close and Frequent
If you SEE lightning, or hear frequent or loud thunder with dark clouds overhead:
🚩 Stop all sea dips immediately.
🚩 Calmly close and evacuate the sauna.
🚩 Ask everyone to move away from the beach, sauna, water, and any exposed or high ground.
🚩 Shelter in a vehicle (metal roof, windows up) or a proper building. Not under trees or cliffs.
Wait at least 15 minutes after the last thunderclap before restarting anything.
3. Sauna-Specific Guidance
Sauna tents and trailers are not safe in electrical storms.
Do not touch:
– Metal parts
– Stove
– Wet surfaces
Turn down the stove and leave the door ajar for airflow only once everyone is safely out.
4. Sea Safety
If lightning is seen or thunder is loud and rapid:
🌊 Get out of the water immediately – water is a conductor.
Don’t wait for lightning to strike nearby. Thunder that follows lightning in under 30 seconds means it’s close.
5. Talking to Guests
Stay calm. Say something like:
“There’s lightning nearby so we’re going to pause for safety. Please come out of the sauna and move away from the beach. We’ll wait 15 minutes from the last thunder before restarting.”
Cancel or postpone if needed – offer rebookings or refunds.
6. After the Storm
Only restart when:
15 minutes have passed since the last thunderclap
You’ve rechecked all gear and the stove is safe to relight
Guests are clearly informed it’s safe to return
7. Safety First
Trust your gut. If something feels off – stop sessions.
Never try to pack down during a storm.
Better a refund than a risky call.