Does the silver coating on Thermarest zpad conduct electricity?

An interesting exercise would be to discover the composition of the proprietary “reflective” layer.  If it is non-metallic then there is no issue.  If it is metallic does it have a sufficient load carrying capacity to do harm?

The underlying question is whether or not the “reflective” layer would provide a significant ionization path for the lightning step-leader moving away from the strike point.

If so, the solution is to put it face down on the ground to provide a path under and away from you.

Using a voltmeter, I did not detect any conductivity between any 2 points on the pad.

@axel-t Great – thanks!

probably aluminum with an oxidized layer, thus low conductivity with volt meter

maybe with a bolt of lightening with higher voltage it would conduct

maybe put the aluminized layer down?  is it aluminized on both sides?

bigger question is is this a good strategy for lightening?  squatting on mattress seems “too little too late”.  Better to get off ridge before.

I wouldn’t fret it.  You (saline water in a bag of skin) are a much better conductor for 30,000 amps of 300,000,000 volts.  If you could move that kind of power around with silver paint or mylar foil, we utilities would paint some string or shred “space blankets”and not buy all these copper and aluminum-clad/steel-core conductors.

Squatting is better than standing.  Being on a foam pad is better than being on the ground.  But lying down is best of all.  Sure, on a pad if you can, BUT GET VERY LOW when you feel your hair stand on end or hear any buzzing.  Long before that, get off the peak, get off the ridge, stay away from the tallest tree around, and get in a low spot (while remaining cognizant of flooding hazards).

Lying down NOT recommended, better to stand with feet touching, squat, or sit cross-legged to reduce the risk from ground current, the most common cause of lightning death. Safest is inside a well-constructed fully-enclosed building, or a car with a metal roof. But sometimes we’re pretty far from safety, so we take steps to reduce lightning risk.

This NWS/NOLS pamphlet on Lightning Risk Management for Backcountry Campers and Hikers (PDF) is good.

And there’s this entertaining 7:26 NOLS video on lightning myths and reducing risk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVSCD1mdzY0

— Rex

I retract my thought about lying down.  I was focused on the strike from above, even though I know to take small steps near a downed power line.

This is either research for a murder plot or a mystery novel.

Well said rex, and the nws link.  That’s what you should do to prevent lightening strike.  Whether your pad is aluminized is far down the list