If a person is in a body of water but not touching the bottom and lightening strikes, does the person feel it?

Question

if there is any proof, that would be great. we are trying to end a discussion at our aquatic center.

Answer 1

I think the person could feel it.  The conductivity of the water would be a factor, salt water versus fresh water.  Lightning is such a powerful electric field that amperage is distributed widely.  The power can be dissapated quickly in water depending on the conductivity but I think if a person were close enough to the point of ionization they could be killed or injured even if not struck directly initially.

Answer 2

They use a car battery to stun fish in a stream to check the numbers and kinds. The fish are killed.

People have been killed by being in swimming when lightning struck the water close enough. Yes he could feel it depending on distance.

Answer 3

He will feel it and might die

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/...

Answer 4

The danger is not in lightning striking the water.  It's that the water grounds you very well, and your head becomes easily the highest point (since water is mostly flat).  This GREATLY increases the chance that the easiest path for the lightning to take would be through your head.