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camping:safety

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DRAFT

Safety

Feeling safe isn't the same thing as being safe. Feeling scared doesn't necessarily mean you are in danger. It does mean to pay attention.” - secessus

There are at least three broad categories of threats to consider:

  1. violent crimes (robbery, assault), greatly overestimated
  2. property crimes (vandalism, burglary), greatly overestimated
  3. unsafe choices, greatly underestimated ←- important

general safety

No one but you can address whether or not you feel safe. That occurs solely between your ears, and can gut your life. As far as being safe:

  • A charged cellphone with coverage in the area may be the most important piece of safety equipment.
  • maintain situational awareness
  • areas of lower population density are safer from than cities. Lowest crime rate would be boondocking out on your own somewhere.
  • park in such a way that you can pull out without backing
  • be aware of multiple exit routes
  • if in a restaurant, etc, sit where you can see the van from your table
  • get a carry license if you are so inclined, and have the discipline to know and follow relevant laws
  • if in the city, park under street lights
  • get a dog

campsite safety

In the wild:

  • avoid camping in or beyond desert washes. The water can rise suddenly in your camp, or block egress from the camp.1)
  • carry extra food and water in case water or mud makes it impossible to get back to town. It will dry out in a day or two.2)
  • be ready to break camp at a moment's notice if needed. This means deploying nothing that requires work before leaving: awning, lawn chairs, bbq, tilted or portable panels.3)
  • scout out another way out of the campsite in case the primary exit is blocked4)
  • Be aware of where you put your hands and feet: know what poisonous insects and snakes live in the area
  • store, cook, and eat foot in a bear-safe manner
  • leave the drivers' seat clear of stuff so that you can get in it without delay5)
  • put your keys where you can find them easily and always in the same place.6)

In populated areas:

  • park facing outwards so that you can put it in to drive instead of having to back out of a parking spot7). “Pulling through” to the further spot can make this very easy.
  • be aware of driveways and other access needed by other drivers
  • side-to-side8) sleepers may want to sleep with their head on the curb side to limit injury from vehicles hitting your parked vehicle

dangerous weather

solo females

Additional tips that may be helpful for solo female travelers:

  • choose parking areas that are NOT in large metropolitan areas but rather in smaller urban communities…lower crime rates and more upscale neighborhoods.
  • sleep in something you can drive in suddenly if needed, without the need for additional coverup
camping/safety.1579710507.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)