The Safety Issue

[Jennifer Palmer]

I wasn't really sure where to put this post so if it isn't in the right spot please feel free to move it!

#1: How many of you have faced opposition to your hobby due to the fact your loved ones feel it isn't safe for you to do it?

#2: How do you convince your loved ones who are less educated in the weather that you know what you are doing?

The issue came up for me recently, and I'm just curious to see if and how other people have handled this issue in the past with your non-chasing loved ones!

Thanks!

 

[Andy Jackson]

For #2
Just start predicting when the severe systems are coming in with the models. They will start to understand your interests and may even go to you for a forecast.Responses will vary of course.

As far as chasing in itself just be low key about it. That's all the advice I have.

 

[Connor McCrorey]

Take them chasing! My family was always supportive of it (I started at 15) but my dad, who started out as my driver, learned after a couple of chases that knowledge about storm structure and behavior can do wonders for your safety.

 

[Jesse Risley]

I've never had opposition from loved ones, but I did have a problem at work, so I'll share a unique story. I had several of my high school students who were extremely interested in weather, and one is now a meteorology major, but both of them were also very interested in storm chasing. After speaking privately with each of their parents, I agreed to let them tag along on several very localized events, say within 40-50 miles at most.

However, once word got out through the grapevine, there was a small group of nosy people who had a problem with this. Some other faculty members felt it just seemed like something right out of a "To Catch a Predator" episode; a few parents of other students just had a problem with several kids working in such a capacity with their child's teacher, unsupervised, in a setting that was not a school sponsored extracurricular activity.

This did not end well for me. Even though two other faculty members had started a fly fishing club that was not a school sponsored extracurricular activity, I was essentially told that the social norms are entirely different for a single, unmarried male teacher in the community, and that society does allow appearances to rule when it comes to "children." I was basically given the choice to either discontinue this activity (and never fraternize with students outside of work again in any capacity) or I would not be guaranteed continued employment.

Ironically enough, no one voiced any opposition on the grounds that they felt chasing was a dangerous hobby. All of the complaining was simply over the fact that five or six individuals felt that there must be something inappropriate behind my intent to work with these two students in this capacity, even after securing permission from their parents.

 

[Dan Robinson]

The idea of storm chasing being dangerous is a myth with absolutely no facts or data to support it, and it baffles me to this day how the media and even chasers, who should know better, keep perpetuating it. A kid riding a bicycle is in thousands of times greater danger than if he/she goes on a chase, not to mention the fact that kids go whitewater rafting, skiing, swimming and play sports, all activities where death and injuries are common but accepted risks to children and adults alike.

The idea of a severe thunderstorm being a danger to fear is absurd. And tornadoes are such small events that only cross roads for a few seconds at a time - highly unreasonable to be afraid of them on a chase. It's all a classic example of how human nature has a real problem with actual vs perceived risks.

I posted a blog entry on this subject several weeks ago:
http://stormhighway.com/blog2011/feb1211c.shtml

 

[Greg Stumpf]

The idea of storm chasing being dangerous is a myth with absolutely no facts or data to support it

If you push the envelope like some have done lately (e.g., see television), then it certainly *can* be dangerous!

 

[Dan Robinson]

If you push the envelope like some have done lately (e.g., see television), then it certainly *can* be dangerous!

Even that can be debatable - even at those extremes, what has happened to them? A couple of scratches from broken glass is all I've seen. I'm not saying that storms are not capable of harming people and that we can be care-free around them (IE, someday a chaser WILL drive into a voilent tornado on purpose and die), but the level of risk of a storm directly inflicting harm to any given chaser is so low as to not be worthy of mentioning, much less the extreme hype it gets. Especially when things like driving while watching a laptop, speeding on wet roads and driving while fatigued are almost unheard of as risks, yet more likely to actually be a source of death and injury to a chaser.

 

[Connor McCrorey]

I'm of the opinion that it's only going to be a little bit longer before a chaser or five gets killed by a tornado that suddenly becomes very violent and heads straight for a congested road. Likely the majority of those at danger in this situation would be the local idiots, but it's not at all out of the question that an experienced chaser who enjoys getting close could get screwed by the crowds out there nowadays. However, it's not difficult at all to eliminate the danger to yourself by just keeping a bit more distance between yourself and the tornado. Don't core punch, don't get too close, and don't chase those HP monsters moving 60 mph, unless you both know what you're doing and accept the risk.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

This is an excellent subject and there has been some great responses so far.

I've faced this for nearly 15 years with many of my hobbies (one of which eventually became my full-time job) and I've always overcome it by simply educating people on why and how I do it. Once they realize the reasons I'm interested in it, and the educational pursuit/baby steps I've taken in the activity, it seems to rationalize any perceived fears they may have had.

It's all about educating them on the why and how. Takes the bullet out of the chamber nearly every time!

Bryan

 

[Dan Robinson]

I will say this - while chasing presents no real danger in terms of bodily harm, it is dangerous to one's financial security and life balance! And to your car's hood, roof and quarterpanels, if you like maintaining a dentless ride...

 

[Bobby Prentice]

Storm chasing is a relatively safe endeavor, but most people have the mistaken belief that the tornado is the biggest hazard. The true risk order for storm chasers is:

1. Driving (The biggest hazard by far. Driving while distracted, in the dark, over unfamiliar rural roads, during heavy flooding rain...is a recipe for disaster! Multiple chasers have died over the years in the above scenario.)
2. Lightning (The underrated killer. This can also permanently disable you in a millisecond.)
3. Everything else (including the tornado).

Storm chasing is safer when you:

• Chase with partners...One person dedicated to driving (and nothing else!), a second person navigating/nowcasting, and a third person constantly observing the entire sky.
• Stay inside the enclosed cab of your vehicle during lightning. Every time you step outside during lighting is a calculated risk and it had better be for some good reason (tornado shot, bladder, etc.).
• Realize that when you get behind a supercell moving faster than 30mph and you don't have a road which parallels the storm, you are never going to "turn the corner" and get in front of it again unless you break the law by speeding (and probably making dangerous passes). Either search for another supercell upwind from you, or resign yourself to filming it safely from behind.
• When the chase is over and its dark...find a room at the nearest motel behind the departing storm(s) (see driving danger above). It's easier to find a motel vacancy at 7-9 pm than midnight. Plus, the restaurants will still be open. Don't worry so much about positioning for Day 2. It's much safer to do your driving a few hours earlier the next morning if necessary. Plus, many times (particularly across the high plains of Chase Alley), the Day 2 target turns out to be right back where you finished chasing at the end of Day 1! I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've seen high-strung seasoned chasers make this mistake during my 22+ year chase career.

 

[Dan Hildebrand]

I've never had opposition from loved ones, but I did have a problem at work, so I'll share a unique story. I had several of my high school students who were extremely interested in weather, and one is now a meteorology major, but both of them were also very interested in storm chasing. After speaking privately with each of their parents, I agreed to let them tag along on several very localized events, say within 40-50 miles at most.

However, once word got out through the grapevine, there was a small group of nosy people who had a problem with this. Some other faculty members felt it just seemed like something right out of a "To Catch a Predator" episode; a few parents of other students just had a problem with several kids working in such a capacity with their child's teacher, unsupervised, in a setting that was not a school sponsored extracurricular activity.

This did not end well for me. Even though two other faculty members had started a fly fishing club that was not a school sponsored extracurricular activity, I was essentially told that the social norms are entirely different for a single, unmarried male teacher in the community, and that society does allow appearances to rule when it comes to "children." I was basically given the choice to either discontinue this activity (and never fraternize with students outside of work again in any capacity) or I would not be guaranteed continued employment.

Ironically enough, no one voiced any opposition on the grounds that they felt chasing was a dangerous hobby. All of the complaining was simply over the fact that five or six individuals felt that there must be something inappropriate behind my intent to work with these two students in this capacity, even after securing permission from their parents.

This is such a sad truth about todays society. Unfortunately it seems like you need to be a college professor in order to have any outside interaction with your students.

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

WOW! What great responses, everyone!!

It is so funny, because Saturday morning, my mother called me and was talking to me like it was our last phone call. She even said "I bet there will be bad storms around here! You probably don't even need to leave the house!" And then there have been other cases!

It's just you can't tell them there is NO risk! That would be a complete lie, but Bobby is right! I think the biggest hazard is everything OTHER than the tornado! Not to mention, I could be hit by a bus on my way to work tomorrow!

I loved what Connor said... Take them chasing!!!! I can only imagine my mother on a storm chase... as for my other cases, I would absolutely love if these individuals would come along with me!

Again.. Thanks so much for the amazing responses!!! And Jesse.. That absolutely sucks! I would've loved to have you for a teacher in high school!!! They should be rewarding those teachers who inspire students, instead of punishing them for doing something outside the norm!!

 

[jason kissam]

I wasn't really sure where to put this post so if it isn't in the right spot please feel free to move it!

#1: How many of you have faced opposition to your hobby due to the fact your loved ones feel it isn't safe for you to do it?

#2: How do you convince your loved ones who are less educated in the weather that you know what you are doing?

The issue came up for me recently, and I'm just curious to see if and how other people have handled this issue in the past with your non-chasing loved ones!

Thanks!

#1 i dont face opposition from loved ones but i always get that "oh my god" or "be careful" from my mom

#2 i just tell them i dont get too close and stay back if the situation is dangerous i dont proceed.

when people see me in my neighborhood they ask " do you chase storms still?' i say yeah. one lady said to me "are you like those crazy people on tv that drive up into them things?" i said no but i like to stay back and get the pics of the storms and watch the beauty of any storm that forms.... after a long conversation she wants a pic for her house of one of my storms. so just a good conversation there.

ive was a fire fighter for 4 yrs and i knew and know my limits. its a personal judgement call on how far you want to push yourself.

as long as you can reassure the family that you will be safe and do all in your ability to remain safe then come home to share the experience i think the nerves will subside. thay will always be there because its family and they care and love ya. but in the back of their minds they will be happy you are safe and got a good storm to chase

 

[Stephen Jones]

#1: I always get the "Be Safe" from my fiancee all the time when I go storm chasing. She is always worried and under the impression that I'm out there like the other tv shows and in reality.. Storm Chasing is not dangerous as tv precieves it. Although I am a safe storm chasers, the danger now comes from the reckless people out there. She very much still gets worried and upset everytime I go out.. But she also realizes that it is my passion and Weather is a big part of me!

#2: To me I have to explain to her how I am being completely safe and that I am not putting myself in any big danger from the storms themselves. She also is very excited when she moves out to Oklahoma with me, for me to take her storm chasing. And for myself is very excited to share my passion with her.