How far apart should rescuers spread out to maintain safety during a lightning storm, while keeping visual contact?

To maintain safety during a lightning storm while still keeping visual contact, it is recommended that rescuers spread out about 20 feet apart. This distance strikes a balance between minimizing the risk of multiple people being struck by lightning simultaneously and ensuring that rescuers can effectively maintain communication and visual contact.

The primary concern during a lightning storm is to reduce the likelihood of related accidents. Spacing out decreases the chances that lightning will affect multiple rescuers at once. While options that suggest more distance, such as 30 or 50 feet, may offer increased safety in terms of individual risk, they create the challenge of diminished teamwork and communication capabilities. Likewise, being as close as 10 feet could leave rescuers vulnerable if a lightning strike occurs nearby.

Thus, maintaining a distance of 20 feet allows rescuers to stay safe while still working together effectively, which is crucial in emergency response scenarios.