Personal Safety

[Terrell Smith]

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

But my all time best security person is Grandma Brad.

I bet the bears leave her alone. Not enough to munch on!

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

Huh?....not sure what all this is

If you don’t understand, it just means you’re one of the lucky who’s unicorns have wings and can fly in fantasy world…

[Mike G]

One of the best safety measures is to pray for a couple extra angels to stand guard for you at all times.

[Terrell Smith]

I try to always be very aware of my surroundings, whether in a big-box store parking lot, or on a city street, or camping in the wilderness somewhere.

In all my years of camping, only once has the human form of thief stolen from us.

We've had mice steal snacks forgotten in the car (traps work great!), "robber birds" which swoop down and steal food right out of our hands or from our plate, "flying squirrels" stealing food in a bag hung on a "bear proof line," raccoons (they are so smart, plus they wear a robber mask!). But so far, no bear has managed to steal from us. We keep stuff in a bear box and in air-tight Zip-lock containers which don't let smells out.

Hiking, I do not use "dinner bells," but I do try to keep a good eye out on my surroundings, and if needed, I'll whip off my backpack that has my food and throw it toward a hungry beast (never had to though, yet).

That one time a human thief stole from us, my dad and I were camping in Yosemite (years ago). We climbed to the top of Glacier Point via the Ledge Trail (not recommended, it's a scary trail!). We were gone all day, and when we got back to our tent someone had stolen our pillows!

All in all, I feel that people in campgrounds are (mostly) trustworthy. I feel safe camping. I keep things out of sight, locked up, or leave it at home. I've added Air-Tags to a few things which might sprout wings and fly away. And I realize that ultimately, it's "just stuff." Our lives are more important. And yes, I say a prayer too.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Blanket disregard for the situation or environment you are in, regardless of what you are carrying, doesn’t sound like a good recipe for protecting your family.

Nope well trained and always aware. No matter what the environment.

[ghosthunter]

I have had one bad event in a state park. 40 years ago.

It was at Fort Warden State Park WA.
I had my young family out for a trip to the local game farm. We had planned to just boon dock in our tent, but stopped in at the Fort to see if we could get a spot.

They put us in a overflow site. Later a Ranger came along and said he had a better site for us.He helped us pick up our stuff and move. We had the new site till noon on Sunday.

About 8 am a very large camper/ pickup pulled into our site and right to the bumper of our truck. My two little kids were playing near by. A gentleman in his 50s jumps out walks through our site and says don’t mind if I park here do ya. And proceeded to the campsite next to us who were folks he knew.

The truck was very nice and did t Want to chance my kids damaging it with a ball or whatever.
I nicely asked him to move his truck off our site. He refused. He had the site reserved for later that day.

I went to the office and reported it. The lady there told me she had instructed him to park in overflow and not at our site. It took a Ranger to get him to move his truck. After he left I walked to the restroom. Coming out on my way back to my family he comes by and says

“This isn’t over”

I Returned to my campsite alerted my wife and loaded up my revolver just in case. We left 2 hours later without incident. I never camped in a state park again until last year when we bought our trailer.

Now I am 70 and don’t worry about much. But I stay alert.

[Mike Lewis]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61432239

[gbaglo]

14-year-old boy fatally falls from amusement park ride

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2022/0...wsroom-vpx.cnn

[bborzell]

Originally Posted by KirkB

Looking at your photo in post #35, I was thinking if you are still concerned about your surroundings on an overnight stop, you could keep the trailer door facing the lighted gas pumps (or store entrance, etc). Any intruder would be visible from the high traffic area. It's a tradeoff between privacy and security.

Good catch! We did exactly that after taking tho photo.

[bborzell]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

14-year-old boy fatally falls from amusement park ride

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2022/0...wsroom-vpx.cnn

Did he land on a camper?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by bborzell

Did he land on a camper?

Nope. Didn't get eaten by a bear either.

[Dave Walter]

Maybe I am going to all of the wrong places to camp, but I have never been so fearful of my personal safety (relative to 2 legged predators) that I even thought about carrying any kind of 'personal protection' with me.

I do use good risk management practices when warranted. That includes keeping a tidy campsite when out with my Escape. In the wilderness, I will carry bear spray and bear bangers when I am hiking, backpacking or running on trails where bears may be present. But I also carry a raincoat when there is a possibility of rain and gloves/hat when it may be cold. I even carry a satellite messenger device with me when I travel alone on backcountry mountain runs.

[Steven M]

To those who carry, I hope that you're carrying the right kind of insurance because your home owners and umbrella insurance won't cover your incident.

[sofmerc]

I have insurance through U.S Law shield. Not tied into any other insurance product I have

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Steven M

To those who carry, I hope that you're carrying the right kind of insurance because your home owners and umbrella insurance won't cover your incident.

Insurance for what? Damage to self is health insurance (or a one-way ticket on Bezo Express ); damage to camper / auto is camper/auto insurance. So, I am not sure what insurance product you are referring to.

[Rockhead]

Liability insurance to CYA

[Steven M]

Originally Posted by kavm

Insurance for what? Damage to self is health insurance (or a one-way ticket on Bezo Express ); damage to camper / auto is camper/auto insurance. So, I am not sure what insurance product you are referring to.

If you shoot someone and get sued, and you will. You need insurance to CYA. Your home owners insurance and umbrella insurance don't cover it.

[gbaglo]

Can you get insurance for carrying a weapon all the time, but never getting to shoot anybody?

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Can you get insurance for carrying a weapon all the time, but never getting to shoot anybody?

yup..in the states at least...U.S Lawshield....not sure if they underwrite in Canada..Shooting a peep is not a requirement...

[emers382]

C'mon guys this is getting rather close to discussing a taboo subject!