SAFETY WHILE TRAVELLING ALONE

Note: I'll add my approach (sick meaning good? ha ha) was developed as security on the water where there are no police to call.

I carried it right over to rving in my last rv as well. My stops include any areas at all, except ones my vehicle is likely to get tagged (spray paint graffiti) in. All other stops are ok. From very rural to very urban. Almost never in campgrounds and I'm full time.

If you simply go camping in those happy little campgrounds where it's all shiny new rvs and kids playing in the pool, obviously, your security needs are different from those of us full timing and going wherever, sleeping in any spot we find.

My post was not for those happy little campgrounds, More for on the road, full time rving.

Practicality and personal responsibility are not paranoia.

I do many of the things in this thread. I also don't post the make an model of my rig, or pics of it or of myself. This is sometimes a bother when I want to get advice, but I think it's a sensible precaution.

Sometimes I meet up with other solo travelers and travel with them for a bit. I send the deets to my friends, first -- who I am going with, and where, and when we plan to be back.

I am not real comfortable being outside of cell range alone. I usually go with someone or, if not, I again tell my friends when I plan to be back in range.

People say not to rely on the phone, but I have found it helpful in the past. I've never had trouble camping -- I am talking about in sticks and bricks life.

When camping, I sleep with my phone screen set to whatever number I will want to call if there is an emergency. If there's a camp host, it is their number, which I would call before 911. They are closer :).

I added an exit to my rig, because there was not one by the bed. This is more sbout fire or a crash, but could help with an intruder too, maybe. Options are good!

IMO there is more fear and paranoia here than realty. We have met many ladies traveling alone and full timing alone. They use common sense but are not fearful or paranoid.

Adam H wrote:

Tripalot wrote:

HadEnough wrote:
...snip snip ....

Use symmetric responses to danger.

1) Don't get into danger
2) Talk a good game, warn people and make yourself look a little crazy/dangedangerous.
3) Drive away first.
4) If not #3, warn an attacker
5) If not #4, bear spray an attacker.
6) If not #5, as an absolute last resort, kill the attacker wit a firearm.

Work your way up the scale, but never get involved in hand to hand combat.

**** Never brandish a firearm unless you are ready to kill a person.

This is sick!

NO this is good advice!!

I would add that staying at arms length from folks and out of "your space" is a key. If they keep broaching it, its time to end conversation.

The advice above is sound.

I am a single guy who travels alone. I once pulled into a service station at night in a different town when I travelled for business. The airplane ride was bumpy and warm in the cabin, my stomach was upside down and went in to get something to settle it. I parked on the side of the building and as I was coming out this guy from the gas pump area was in a half walk to run coming towards me. Caught me off guard. He was saying to me "Hey....I want to ask you a question..." out loud. I put my hand out and told him to stop and not get near me. He slowed down and continued towards me so I hurried in the car and told him if he wanted to talk to me, to move in front of the car and talk to me through the passenger window, as he did I backed out and left, he screamed that all he wanted was gas money.

This situation creeped me out. Late at night, strange city, not aware of my surroundings, I also was not feeling well. Guy approaches me in a fast pace and kept coming....no thanks.



Other than that all my solo camping experiences have been pleasant. Trails are places that you may want some protection of sort. When you leave your campground, let your hosts know where you are.

Campgrounds are generally very safe. You should stay in some type of campground, not in dispersed camping. Check out any place you stay on RVPark Reviews before you pull in. Go in and cruise around and get a feel for the place before you commit to a site. Don't be afraid to blow off a reservation if something looks "off" about the campgrounds.

You are more likely to encounter a problem out on the road than in a campground. Keep your cell phone charged, carry a couple of cans of Flat Fixer, get a good roadside service. Try to do your stops before evening. It's a good idea to be in your site and settled before dark.

Find the state DOT site for where you are travelling and check for construction, closed roads, etc. Get a good app like WeatherUnderground for your phone, so you can check conditions near your location and what you are driving into.

Generally just use some common sense and you will be fine.

Adam H wrote:

DrewE wrote:

RoyB wrote:
If bear spray or mace is not readily available just plain ole WASP SPRAY will work great as well... Be sure it is the LARGE bottle...

This is not good advice. Wasp spray (at least some brands) are not very effective at quickly stopping people, as they are not particularly irritating. They do contain toxic substances, often agents that affect the nervous system, so (unlike pepper sprays) can cause permanent harm. Using wasp spray (any brand) for purposes other than insect control is a violation of federal law.

You're joking, right??? I would think federal law would be the last thing on my mind....

I'm not joking at all; it's bad advice to use wasp spray instead of pepper spray. I'm strongly suggesting that it would be far better to use something that is legal and works at incapacitating without causing permanent damage (pepper spray) rather than using something that is illegal, often ineffective at incapacitating, and could cause permanent damage (wasp spray).

Certainly if it is a true self-defence situation, federal legalities are probably not at the top of the list of one's concerns. However, having something that is effective at stopping the situation is of very great importance, and only one of the products reliably does that.

I likewise would not recommend pepper spray or mace to get rid of a wasp infestation.

You've gotten some good advice here, and some ridiculous comments. Given your responses to some of the posts, to include the fact that you have a CCW permit, I suspect you can weed out the ridiculous posts from the ones with good advice.

No need to be paranoid, and Im sure you're not. Being prepared, and watchful, minding your sixth sense (spidey sense), and taking some of the other good tips on here, will serve you well.

It is infinitely better to be prepared, and never have to use it, than to need to use it, and not be prepared.

Mike

toedtoes wrote:

mayble wrote:
I've been following about a half dozen blogs of solo women full timers (as I hope to do the same myself), and I have yet to read one instance of using a weapon or even having to jump in the driver's seat and skedaddle.
I, too, believe you are at least as safe on the road as you are at home going about your regular daily life, and probably much safer.

As someone who has lived, camped and traveled solo for years - YES!

Sheesh from some of these comments, you'd think it was the middle ages and women were being kidnapped on the old Roman roads.

Common sense, realism, and paying attention to your surroundings are the best weapons you can have.

Totally agree!!

We know many women ... and men traveling alone. There is no big issue and some of the mentioned fears and remedies are not necessary.

Wasp spray? Hope it's not a windy day for you!

Just use common sense where you park. That's all you have to think about.

Here's a great group: http://www.rvingwomen.org/ There are other groups out there. Google for them.

It's a very common thing in the full-timing world. It's not something to be afraid of.

toedtoes wrote:

Common sense, realism, and paying attention to your surroundings are the best weapons you can have.

I agree. And either gender is theoretically able to procure and use those three "best weapons" without needing money or a permit to do so.

Tripalot wrote:

HadEnough wrote:
All I can say is don't rely on having a phone to call for help. Anything you do has to be able to be done then amd there. Don't think calling for help will help at all. it's too late by then.

I carry bear spray and a shot gun. Still want to cut my new TC a bit to get an emergency pass through working.

Use symmetric responses to danger.

1) Don't get into danger
2) Talk a good game, warn people and make yourself look a little crazy/dangedangerous.
3) Drive away first.
4) If not #3, warn an attacker
5) If not #4, bear spray an attacker.
6) If not #5, as an absolute last resort, kill the attacker wit a firearm.

Work your way up the scale, but never get involved in hand to hand combat.

**** Never brandish a firearm unless you are ready to kill a person.

This is sick!

What's the sick part? I see some decent advice.