Never swim during a thunderstorm.

No. Not even close. Get out of the water immediately.

Lightning doesn’t just hit the surface — it spreads through water. A direct strike can kill everyone in a pool or lake. Even a nearby strike sends a lethal current through the water. Pools, lakes, oceans — none of them are safe.

The old “30-30 rule” is decent: if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, get inside and stay there for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap. But really, if you hear thunder at all, you’re already too close.

Don’t be the person who thinks “it’s not raining here yet.” Lightning can strike miles ahead of the storm.