Your personal safety while camping

[TNYHWZ]

In these uncertain times, how do you keep you and your family safe while camping. Please share your protocol or ideas.

[The Evil Twin]

We are all trained and carry firearms. Long, short amd improvised.
Unpopular option for some, but that is what we do. We can be 100% self sufficient for weeks on end.

[Herk7769]

When we are camping, safety in my opinion involves our gear too.

At home:

Since I keep the camper in the driveway it is hard to keep the neighbors from knowing the house is empty. So I make sure my immediate neighbors are aware we are going and ask them to keep an eye on the house.

We have a monitored alarm system that includes smoke and heat detectors and a 8 camera digital video recorder system (the recorder is hidden - wish list item is off premises storage). I can monitor the cameras while traveling.

Since our basement has flooded occasionally especially during storms when the power gets knocked out, we have battery backup on the sump pumps.

On the road:

As stated, situational awareness is the key.

Most folks won't camp if they are sick, but with Covid there is a chance that they are sick and don't know it yet. Social distance, masks and elbow or fist bumps have replaced hugs, kisses, and handshakes. With DW's medical issues, I am pretty sure this will be a forever thing with us.

I do have a complete medical/trauma kit with AED in the camper and we both have some training in its use. Mostly because DW had trouble giving CPR in the class

Having access to PPE (wasp spray, bear spray, chemically propelled metallics, etc.) is also available if needed; though extremely rare.

We have two methods of weather warning available and at least one is available at all time. We keep a weather alert App running on the phone at all times and have a Midland weather radio on in the camper. Knowing where the hard shelter is and how to get there from wherever you are in the campground is also part of situational awareness.

We are camping to have fun, but knowing you have the knowledge and what items you need on hand in case things go south we feel is also important.

Camp safely!

[TNYHWZ]

Thanks for everyone’s Insight into the Covid 19 Safety arena. I was actually asking about you personal safety of you and you family.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by TNYHWZ

Thanks for everyone’s Insight into the Covid 19 Safety arena. I was actually asking about you personal safety of you and you family.

There ya go again...............dragging us back to the original idea of this thread............Good Job!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by TNYHWZ

Thanks for everyone’s Insight into the Covid 19 Safety arena. I was actually asking about you personal safety of you and you family.

Your statement can be interpreted in different ways.
From Covid exposure, from criminals, from wild animals, from injuries and so on.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by TNYHWZ

Thanks for everyone’s Insight into the Covid 19 Safety arena. I was actually asking about you personal safety of you and you family.

The site team will close this thread and remove all posts not germaine to the OP's original question....once we figure out what it really is.


EDIT: The Covid-19 posts were moved to their own thread here:


https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...-a-211201.html


We are reopening this thread, but are going to enforce the site guidelines pertaining to the following, as these topics usually go sour:


General discussions, statements and images that are political in nature or that reference general government policies, weaponry, gun rights and religion are not allowed in ANY areas of the forum. Discussions about current or pending legislation or regulations, weapons and religion that directly pertain to RVing are acceptable but will be closed or removed if they wander off topic or become disruptive.

[Mandog]

So we can’t let others know how we stay safe and prepared to deal with a threat? Seems a little extreme. I understand this is a RV site but unless it’s out of hand there shouldn’t be an issue. Anyway I hope all of stay safe.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

We are all trained and carry firearms. Long, short amd improvised.
Unpopular option for some, but that is what we do. We can be 100% self sufficient for weeks on end.

That's pretty much it for us. .45 ACP for usual camping trips. .44 Magnum when camping in bear country.

I was "plinking" with my daughter's boyfriend, and in the gravel pit where we were, I spotted a soda can sitting up about 25 yards away. I told him, watch this. Pulled out the .44 Magnum "bear" revolver and the soda can disappeared with the first shot. Completely lucky shot..but didn't tell him that!

I've never felt threatened while camping, though. But the "sketchiest" place I have ever camped has been the parking lot at the casino.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Mandog

So we can’t let others know how we stay safe and prepared to deal with a threat? Seems a little extreme. I understand this is a RV site but unless it’s out of hand there shouldn’t be an issue. Anyway I hope all of stay safe.

I believe wmtire gave the "key" in his post.

As long as it pertains directly to camping it's allowed.

Unfortunately when someone says "I bring a firearm with me when camping" the conversation can drift to what kind is best on one side of the discussion to "why do you feel you need a firearm?".

From there it turns into a "food fight".

I'll admit I'm guilty of drifting into forbidden territory from time to time but if I remember "directly pertains to camping" I don't find my posts deleted as often.

Remember, the topics that are "regulated" are ones that different people have very strong feelings and opinions on. Far more personal than what kind of tire is best, how to grease your bearings, or what kind of battery to use.

I'm not a moderator but I do appreciate the work they do. I've left other forums where things got so far out of hand you couldn't let your young children read the posts.

Just my 2% of a dollar's worth.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

That's pretty much it for us. .45 ACP for usual camping trips. .44 Magnum when camping in bear country.

I was "plinking" with my daughter's boyfriend, and in the gravel pit where we were, I spotted a soda can sitting up about 25 yards away. I told him, watch this. Pulled out the .44 Magnum "bear" revolver and the soda can disappeared with the first shot. Completely lucky shot..but didn't tell him that!

Plinking used to be a regular part of camping in our family. That's when parents taught their kids how to do so safely and without bothering others.

Certainly not possible in developed campsites but when boondocking I still "plink" when I can (and it's safe). Only thing that's really changed is that my "Plinker's" cost a heck of a lot more than the one we used as a kid on family trips. The distances are a lot longer too.

For me it's just one more reason go camping and oh yes, I bring a firearm along for personal protection. When boondocking 911 either doesn't work or can be an hour or more away. Bad things can happen in only minutes.

[Ryan-OH]

Originally Posted by TNYHWZ

In these uncertain times, how do you keep you and your family safe while camping. Please share your protocol or ideas.

Situational awareness is the key. Just pay attention to your surroundings.

[B and B]

I would agree Situational awareness is key. I have travelled the world, Spain, Greece, France, Norway, China, England, USA Salt Lake City, Detroit, Washington DC. Need to be aware. If you are camping in a situation that requires extreme defence measures maybe you should find another place to camp.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by B and B

I would agree Situational awareness is key. I have travelled the world, Spain, Greece, France, Norway, China, England, USA Salt Lake City, Detroit, Washington DC. Need to be aware. If you are camping in a situation that requires extreme defence measures maybe you should find another place to camp.

That is true, to a point. In our case, after our 2nd trip in our current camper I realized that due to the way that the shade on the door window is blocked by the screen door when it's closed, there is no way to see who is outside if someone starts banging on the door once we are in for the night.

Not being able to see out without being seen feels a little bit defensive, so we have a handgun in the trailer when we are camping. It rides in the truck console (unloaded, though we have concealed carry licenses for our state) and when at home it lives in the safe.

While I never want to be in a position where I feel that I need to point a gun at another human, I also don't want to be in a position where someone is pointing one at me, and there is nothing to be done about it.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

... In our case, after our 2nd trip in our current camper I realized that due to the way that the shade on the door window is blocked by the screen door when it's closed, there is no way to see who is outside if someone starts banging on the door once we are in for the night. ...

Another forum member reported having taken the window out and reinstalling it upside down. The shade the pulls up, not down. You can leave it down enough to see out without forsaking privacy.

I have not done it yet but I imagine you do forsake its darkening effects. That can be addressed with a curtain, or by other means.

[NavyLCDR]

What about camera system to watch the exterior?

[Oaklevel]

We do keep aware of our surroundings, but do not even lock our doors when camping. We have always felt safe. 35 years never had an issue with anyone or even anything stolen.

We carry no weapons and see no need.

[eye95]

I have never had a fire in my r-pod. I still have two fire extinguishers.

I lock my camper.

I prefer not to discuss openly whether or where I have a firearm, nor whether it is loaded or not. I will say that my fire extinguishers are never empty.