Safety in camping in public areas.

[Heapie]

Hi folks,

Every so often, I like to discuss ideas on what we can do to stay safe in public areas. I mean any place except camping grounds, especially Walmart type places.

What I do.
1. Make sure the doors are locked. I will periodically check by going outside and making sure all the doors and windows are locked. Also check to see that your curtains are doing their job.

2. I carry one of the new flash lights that will blind anybody who wants to make trouble. Remember they might have one too.

3. I have heard that hornet spray in the eyes will stop a person in their tracks. It is said it will not permently damage.

4. When parking in a parking lot for the night, I will park under the lights near other campers and trucks. I stay away from any vehicles that might cause harm. It is called SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. Very important.

What do you think?

Heapie

[naturist]

Given the ease with which people get CCPs, and stories such as the one earlier in this thread, combined with the general belligerence so common these days, one of my worries is a car backfiring in Wally's parking lot, and 50 cowboys climbing out to intercept the perp. Ten minutes later, when the police finally arrive, the main chore is picking up the bodies of armed cowboys strewn across the tarmac.

Knocking on wood, I do not stick around places that feel unsafe. I also have my best machete in the closet by the door. I have never felt the need to buy a handgun in my 69 years, and am unwilling to go through the continual training necessary to insure that I'd not be more risk to the innocent than to any perp I might encounter. I did take the NRA class that is all that is needed to get a CCP, and quite frankly was not impressed as to the safety of letting people with only that training wander the streets with loaded weapons.

I note that every state in the US requires that you be at risk of your life for a justified shooting. Yet there are occasionally cases such as that last year in Detroit where a lady shot out the tires of a fleeing shoplifter. (Nobody's life was in danger, save for ricochets from her shots at the tires.)

I have no issue with folks who are well trained, and who keep up with the need for continual training, to carry weapons. In fact, I'd prefer there be more of those folks around. But I'm not one of them.

I have never camped anywhere I felt threatened. I wish those folks who stay overnight in Wally's and other parking lots the best of luck and safe travels and all. But I'll hit a national/state/county/city park, even though it costs a few bucks.

[korbe]

I do my best to be aware of my surroundings. If those surroundings make me feel uncomfortable, I leave. I can't always be able to defend the unexpected, but I sure do try it be close.

[jrobe]

Bionic Man wrote:
I carry something a little more solid than a spray. And have training to use it appropriately should the need arise.

I have a big collection of guns and the training to use them but I think my can of bear spray would be more effective in most confrontations. I was even sprayed myself once by accident (long story) and I was completely disabled for 20-30 min. It puts out a wide cloud of pepper spray that eliminates any need to even aim.

There is certainly no good reason to use hornet spray. That is just plain mean. Most of these chemicals are neurologic blockers designed to kill and not just chemical irritants.

[toedtoes]

This is my list:

1. if I have any doubts about the location, I don't stay there
2. a place for everything and everything in its place
3. my keys in an easy to reach location that I can access as I move from the back to the cab
4. drive away

#1 prevents me from finding myself in a bad situation more often than not.
#2 allows me to move quickly without worrying about things falling about.
#3 allows me to get into the driver seat quickly without wasting time searching for keys in pockets/packs/etc.
#4 gets me away from the trouble so that I don't need to worry about a confrontation.

[gbopp]

Why not just carry pepper spray rather than hornet spray? It's designed to repel humans.

And, if your attacker is on something, either spray may not work as expected.

Are you ready and equipped to literally stop them in their tracks if necessary to protect youreslf or your family's life?

Situational awareness is very important. Unfortunately some don't get it.

[GordonThree]

mkguitar wrote:
common sense.

some people are so scared they should just stay home

I worry more about some "defender" banging off shots than any bad guy...and have packed up and moved when I didn;t trust my neighbors.

x2 ... I'm far more worried about being injured by folks living in such fear - if they're truly confronted, will they have clear though to check their sight lines, or will the brain lock up and reflex take over?

[downtheroad]

It's good to be vigilant, careful and aware.....but...
It's much more dangerous just driving you rig on public highways than camping in public areas.

[mkguitar]

common sense.

some people are so scared they should just stay home

I worry more about some "defender" banging off shots than any bad guy...and have packed up and moved when I didn;t trust my neighbors.



Mike

[3oaks]

3. I have heard that hornet spray in the eyes will stop a person in their tracks. It is said it will not permently damage.

I think it would stop someone in their tracks. But I wondered about serious eye damage, too. I don't believe for a moment that the chemicals in hornet spray sprayed directly in the eyes will not result in some kind of permanent vision damage.

Of course, if it became a matter of life and death, I wouldn't hesitate. I prey to God, I nor my family are never put in that position.