Incident that got me worried

[foreigner]

Hey everyone,
First of all, sorry for my mistakes in my post as english is not my main language.
Its a great site with good information and people who know alot about laser pointers so i hope that anyone can shine some oppinion about the incident. Sorry for the upcoming long post.
The incident i am worried about took place yesterday. There was this nighttime singing festival going on which had thousands of people taking part of it. The concert took place in a bowl shaped valley. There also happened to be one idiot who had a green laser. I noticed someone shining it as soon as i went to the concert and knowing about the possible laser hazards it got be worried instantly. Guy was shining it everywhere towards people, buildings, trees, close ranged, further away etc, basically it seemed he didnt really care where he shined it. At first i tried to locate this guy and it seemed that he was at the other side of valley from me, which must have been about 50 meters from me. As i, foolishly, didnt want to leave the concert i quit trying to locate this guy with my eyes after about few minutes. From that point on i didnt look around anymore. Basically the best thing i thought i could do was to stare at the ground in front of me for the whole concert because i was too afraid i accidentally get a glimpse at this laser while looking around. Altough i dont recall getting hit with the laser nor do i know if someone finally told this guy to put the f%¤k away the laser or how much he later on kept shining it towards people i am still worried about the "what if". There was alot of flashing from cameras going on, plus all the other light sources, so my question would be if it is possible that i still got hit by the laser between all the flashes and i didnt notice it between all the flashes? what would be the symptoms, how much difference does it make if i looked at the laser directly or it would be just shined into my eyes without me focusing on the light and looking on the ground for example (i somewhere read that the difference the power/image is greated on the retina is about 100 000 less when its not focused, is it right?). I dont experience any symptoms, atleast not noticeable, altough i know enough powerful lasers could cause damage before you could even blink. I also have no idea what was the output power of this green laser.
I will also most likely visit optometrist to calm my fears, i was just hoping your insight in this situation. How would have you reacted?

Thanks in advance,

worried student from Eastern Europe.

 

[joeyss]

You would of know you got hit by the laser in one eye since you would of saw a bright green flash in that eye similar to looking at the sun. From the way it sounds like nothing happened. If it didn't hit your eye you have nothing to worry about.

 

[anselm]

Hello and welcome to the forum!:wave:
You worry too much. Are you seeing a psychologist about your paranoia?
I mean, looking at the ground all the time for fear of a green laser?

Green lasers can look scary to people because even at low power, under the right
atmospheric circumstances they can be very bright.

I doubt the guy was shining around a 200mW or even 100mW, of course if he actually
were, that would be very reckless in such a crowd of people.

 

[123splat]

Friend foreigner,
Please take no offense from previous responders. It is not thier intent to offend or 'blow you off'. They are experienced laser users and are arawe of the practical dangers and relative powers. Yes, however, you have over reacted a little. Laser exposure in the conditions which you describe are not as hazardous as you imaging for you, at 50 or more meters away, without direct exposure (which you would have been well aware of, no way you would have missed the glare). More likely, the fool was more of a hazard to those much closer than you. If it gives you comfort, go ahead and see your optometrist. But you are probablly O.K.
It is fears of those who do not have experience with, or adequate knoledge of, lasers reacting to the actions of idiots, like the fellow which you describe, which scares most of us will lead to nore useless laws and restrictions on lasers.

More study will convince you of the level of hazard in various levels of laser exposure. They can be very dangerous, under some conditions and power levels and wave lengths (colors). But, for the most part, the level of POSSIBLE exposure which you describe, is not likely to be of much hazard to you. Somebody should have sicked a cop or security guard on the clown in your scenario.

We do understand your concerns, They are a little more than realistic for the conditions, but we support you. Please continue to be part of the forum and learn.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Considering the concert was taking place at night, and you weren't able to easily note where this idiot was... the laser was most likely well under 50mW... most likely a cheap green pen.

More powerful lasers, 50mW+ would have produced a pretty clear beam so you and security would have been able to instantly spot this guy.

Lasers can be scary... but in reality they are a lot less dangerous than many everyday items... cars come to mind... and there are a lot more poor drivers than there are morons with lasers.

So welcome to forum, read up, enjoy... and relax

 

[JordanPereira]

Considering the concert was taking place at night, and you weren't able to easily note where this idiot was... the laser was most likely well under 50mW

Most likely. Hopefully it was just a harmless (not the most appropriate word) 5mW. Regardless of power, people shouldn't be annoying others. Nothing to be worried about, unless he's pointing it up at planes, or it's a thick beam and people are crying "I can't see!" A visit from an optometrist is probably not necessary, unless you truly cannot see.

First of all, sorry for my mistakes in my post as english is not my main language.

Your English is fine .

 

[Fenzir]

Be it that I'm the only person around where I live that's interested in lasers, some other people have green ones but they usually meet all FDA restrictions (5mw without key) and they buy them way overpriced at like radioshack. Generally, if people don't know about LPF, they don't know how easily accessible high powered lasers are.