Wear Appropriate Protective Gear

 Wearing the right clothing or protective equipment is pretty much essential for comfort and safety in any activity .  Think of the helmets and pads worn by football players or the gloves and goggles worn by welders, or the "turn outs"worn by firefighters  I particularly like those examples because they demonstrate that wearing the right protective equipment is not just for sissies.


What gear or clothing is appropriate for RV and OHV activities? For RVing and camping in general, just about any comfortable casual clothing is usually good. Because jeans are sturdy and versatile and easy to care for, they're my favorite pants for camping. Work pants and coats made of "fire hose" material would also be a good choice.  Cargo pants, with their numerous pockets, are also handy.  Recycled Army fatigues are always a good choice.  You will also want to bring along hats to protect you from the sun in hot weather or keep your head warm in cold. Loose fitting long sleeved shirts and long pants will be better than T-shirts and shorts most of the time.  They provide protection from sunburn and insects and, believe it or not, you'll feel cooler, unless you're constantly in and out of the water.  Since rain is a common occurrence in many camping destinations, a rain coat or poncho is a good idea. Bring along some sweaters or sweat shirts so you can dress in layers to easily adjust to changing temperatures. Temperatures can change dramatically by elevation and sometimes by time of day. When we stopped to rest on our way to a mountain campground one summer morning we were still in the desert and it was way too hot to sleep. It had to be over 100 degrees at 5:00 in the morning. A couple of hours later and about 5,000 feet higher, we needed winter jackets!  I've seen temperatures drop from 100°F during the day down to around 40°F at night in the desert.   During the day it was too hot to anything!  At night a campfire, a parka, and warm boots were essential items.  I keep an old pair of snow boots in my motorhome and call them my desert bedroom slippers.   They are very comfortable after a day in riding boots. Temperature swings in mountain and forest camping areas often show the same kind of disparate temperature range.  In addition to comfortable and durable camp clothing, you will need appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for any activities you may plan to participate in.

No matter what activities you choose, wear appropriate safety equipment.   Some activities, such as dirt bike riding, need more equipment than others, such as hiking.  Water sports have their own requirements for proper flotation devices.  Some routine tasks around camp, such as chopping wood, may require work gloves and safety goggles.  You might think some folks go overboard, but it is pretty much always better to err on the side of caution and "better safe than sorry".  Sure,  you'll see plenty of people chopping wood without safety glasses, but just one splinter in your eye will quickly convince you should have been wearing them.  Better to look a little over cautious than lose your sight!

I can't say enough about wearing appropriate safety equipment for any OHV or other aggressive recreational activity. No doubt you will see plenty of guys riding their dirt bikes or mountain bikes in T-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes or even flip flops and with no helmet. That doesn't mean it is the right -- or smart -- thing to do! It isn't! They may think it looks "MACHO", but in reality they are just demonstrating they have an IQ a few points lower than dandelions -- which they may soon be joining in the ground if they don't wise up! When I see guys like that I figure their bikes are smarter than they are!   Dressing properly can avoid many types of injuries. It has been said, if you don't fall off your dirt bike now and then, you aren't riding hard enough. Don't take this as an admonition to ride beyond your abilities, just recognize that falling down occasionally is to be expected and to plan and dress for it. Proper clothing and safety gear can prevent a lot of common injuries.

Never, never, NEVER ride a dirt bike or ATV without a helmet! And make sure it is a good quality helmet. It has been said it's OK to put your head in a $10 helmet -- if you have a $10 head! Think about that when you go to buy a helmet. Used helmets may be less expensive, but don't waste your money on one that has already been in a major get off. Even if the shell is undamaged, the padding will likely have been crushed so that it can no longer do its job when YOU need it to. You need more than just the hard shell to protect your skull against impacts -- the liner is an important part of the safety features and is designed to absorb energy instead of transmitting it to your head.  In doing it so it gets crushed so it only works once.   There is no non-destructive way to test a helmet. If you or someone else has thumped their noggin in it, get a new one. The shock-absorbing qualities of the padding have already absorbed the shock as intended and WILL NOT provide adequate protection a second time. Helmets are a little like matches: they only work once.  By the way, proper  helmets are a good idea for horseback riding too.  A cowboy hat is a lot more fun, but it won't protect your head if you fall off or are thrown.  Did you know there are more head injuries from equestrian accidents than from motorcycle accidents?

Perhaps the second most important piece of gear is goggles to protect your eyes. By its very nature, off-road riding generates dust and debris as the vehicle in front of you and sometimes your own front tire, kicks stuff up into the air. Our eyes are very sensitive and subject to serious injury from very small particles. Sunglasses may appear to offer some minimal protection and may look "cooler", but goggles are the best way to save your sight! Make sure they are in good condition and fit properly. A poor fit will allow dust and debris inside, effectively defeating one purpose of the goggles. When riding in cold or damp weather, treat the inside of your goggles with an "anti-fog" solution to help maintain clear vision. One of the most popular and famous is called "Cat Crap". Don't let the name or funky green color turn you off. It works very well! An old diver's trick is to rub the inside of the mask or goggles with spit. That may seem kind of gross, but its better than having your goggles fog up on you.  And, unless you are dehydrated, you usually have some available out on any ride.

Gloves are essential for protecting your hands from scrapes and scratches from passing branches or when you fall. They also protect your hands from blisters and contusions from the hand grips. Because good off-road gloves can be a little more expensive than work gloves, some folks opt to wear work gloves. This solution is better than nothing, but just barely and not always. Off-road gloves have special padding on the backs of the knuckles and hand and are designed for maximum comfort and dexterity as well as proper protection. Work gloves won't protect the backs of your hands as well against brush and tree limbs you may encounter on the trail and the seams are likely to produce blisters since they aren't designed to fit your grips. Cold weather riding presents its own special problems. One easy solution is to wear glove liners inside your riding gloves. Another is to purchase "Wind Chill" gloves, which are insulated riding gloves. They offer the same crash protection and dexterity of ordinary riding gloves for cold weather use. I've tried thick "polar" winter work gloves and ski gloves. The "polar" gloves were far too clumsy and the ski gloves offered no real protection against obstacles. If price is keeping you from buying glove liners or wind chill gloves, you may be able to get by using some inexpensive knit gloves under your regular riding gloves. I found some at a local department store for a couple of bucks a pair, compared to about $15 a pair for glove liners.   If they aren't too bulky and don't have seams where they will bind, they should work. You'll be surprised how much warmer your hands will be! To get light weight knit gloves that will fit inside your riding gloves you may have to swallow your macho pride and buy ladies gloves. Hey! Who cares if they're Playboy pink or  baby blue if they keep your hands warm! Hey, they're mostly out of sight anyway.  At times I've found suitable knit gloves at the local "dollar" store -- 2 pairs for $1! At that price there is no excuse for cold hands.  I often keep a few extra on hand for loaners.  To avoid losing gloves when I take them off on the trail, I fastened a "D" ring to my chest protector and clip a fireman's glove strap on it to corral my gloves when I take them off on the trail.  The glove strap clips to the "D" ring with a snap and consists of  a nylon strap with velcro that allows it to be secured around the gloves.  They were invented by a fireman to keep track of gloves on the job and I found them really handy, both as a volunteer fireman and as a dirt biker.

Boots -- proper riding boots are necessary to protect your feet and ankles and help you maintain control of your vehicle. Wearing tennis shoes while riding an OHV is a good way to convert your toes into ground meat. Sturdy work boots are better, but are not really an acceptable substitute for proper riding boots. I've seen a rider lose toes even when wearing sturdy riding boots when their foot unexpectedly got caught between a rock and a foot peg. His toes were badly bruised and some eventually turned black and fell off. A similar accident in tennis shoes would have effectively removed all his toes or even his entire foot instantly! I've seen riders in flip-flops. REALLY BAD IDEA. Even without a major collision, the normal brush and debris you encounter on the trail is going to injure your exposed skin and you'll probably get severe sunburn on your feet, to say nothing of the bruises you'll get trying to kick your bike over! Quality riding boots protect your feet and ankles against a myriad of potential injuries, including bruising from stomping the kickstarter. Just don't plan to do a lot of hiking in them! They protect you while riding but they are far too stiff and heavy for hiking. Unlike the footwear in Nancy Sinatra's famous song, these boots ain't made for walkin'!  However, if your boots fit right, you will be able to walk out if your OHV craps out on out, so take care getting a good fit and wear appropriate socks.  I like to wear a pair of light weight dress socks under a pair of bulky motocross socks.  That way, the rubbing is mostly between the two socks and not against my skin where it will rub blisters.  Interestingly enough, I found they did little to make my feet hotter in the summer but did help keep them warmer in winter.  Inner socks that wick away perspiration are highly recommended for year round comfort.

A sturdy chest protector is another good investment. There are several styles. I learned the hard way (broken collarbone) that those with shoulder pads are better than those without. Some riders complain that the shoulder pads get in the way of their helmets when turning their heads, but it is a small price to pay for the added safety. I didn't like it at first either but I got used to it. Had I been wearing one with shoulder protection I wouldn't have broken my collar bone, which was essentially judo-chopped by the chin guard on my helmet when I crashed wearing a Rock Jacket without shoulder protection. Chest protectors guard against rocks kicked up by the "hot dog" rider in front of you and give an added measure of protection for vital organs if you and your bike unexpectedly part company and you find yourself rapidly approaching the ground, trees, pavement or a pile of rocks. If you've learned how to "tuck and roll" to avoid a hard impact with the ground, a good chest protector with shoulder pads will mean the difference between brushing yourself off versus reaching for the first aid kit for pain killers and to treat contusions and road rash or even having someone have to pick you up and carry you back to camp! My oldest son recently bailed hard enough to blow a hole in a lung -- not punctured by a broken rib, just sort of popped like a balloon! No doubt he would have sustained a lot more serious injuries if he hadn't been wearing his chest protector. I keep advising my kids to back off just 1/2 of 1 percent, but sometimes they still have to push their limits. Seems like the injuries pop up on that "one last hill climb" or "one last ride" or an attempt to do something just little faster or higher.  My most aggressive son eventually discovered for himself that when he wanted to do "just one last anything" it was time to load up and go home.

Pants and Jerseys. Sure, you can ride in jeans and a T-shirt, but it isn't a good idea.  Riding pants and jerseys are designed to provide comfort and protection. Jerseys usually have some light weight pads built into the elbows and sometimes the shoulders, but these are no substitute for a good chest protector and elbow guards. If you're doing any cold weather riding, you'll   appreciate "wind chill" jerseys that provide extra insulation. Otherwise, you'll want a light weight, vented jersey. Pants usually have hip pads and knee guards that will minimize injuries to those areas when you go down. Knee guards range from simple shin and knee protectors that slip into pockets in the legs of riding pants or strap to your calves to very expensive knee braces. The knee braces provide protection against a number of possible injuries, such as hyper-extension and lateral displacement, as well as covering the knee cap to avoid direct contact with rocks and other obstacles out there that seek to inflict pain upon your body. The plastic panels on riding pants are there for more than decoration. They provide additional "body armor" to protect you from passing brush and hard objects when you and your OHV unexpectedly part company and do a surprisingly good job of preventing bruises.  The stiff upper portion helps prevent ankle injuries.

Kidney belt.  This is a tight-fitting, usually elasticized wide belt that protects your kidneys and supports your lower back.  While it sometimes feels hot on warmer days, it is a small price to pay for protection and for back support that adds greatly to your comfort and reduces fatigue after bouncing around on miles of bumpy trails.

Knee pads. As mentioned above, most good riding pants provide for knee pads to give some protection to your knees. Ordinary knee pads, which may slip into pockets in the legs of your riding pants or be secured by elastic bands and velcro around your calves, protect your shins and kneecaps against most impact injuries. Knee pads are not expensive and should be considered essential. An alternative that is gaining popularity are expensive knee braces. These have metal frame works that attach with velcro straps above and below your knees. Not only to they cover your kneecaps and shins like ordinary knee pads, the offer some (even quite a bit) of protection against lateral displacement or hyper-extension that can cause serious injuries to the internal structure of your knees. Did you know it takes only about 12 pounds of pressure to dislocate your knee laterally?  Ordinary knee pads run the in the neighborhood of $20-$40. You can expect to pay $300-$500 for off the shelf knee braces, and even more for custom fit models. You might be able to pick up a pair of used knee braces on ebay and save a bundle.  I got mine for around $100 and they were like new.  To be honest, they feel a little clumsy until you get used to them, but the extra protection is well worth it!

Elbow pads are another good component of complete body armor. They are relatively inexpensive and protect your funny bone and most of your forearm. If you and your bike unexpectedly part company, you're very likely to be coming down on your arms and elbows to prevent landing on your face. An experienced riding buddy playfully suggested waving your arms in front of you if you come flying off your bike so you can clear the rocks out of the way before you land (he was joking.) Your best bet is to "tuck and roll" to distribute and minimize the impact. Does it work? You bet it does! I've used it more than once. It is the same technique used by army paratroopers and skydivers to avoid injury when they land.  You probably were given some instruction in the technique way back in junior high school gymnastics.

Knee and elbow pads  are common to some other sports, such as skateboarding, but those specifically designed for off road use have distinct advantages.  Skateboard pads are usually soft and will absorb some of the impact and stave of some the scraping.  Off road guards usually cover the elbow and most of the forearm with a hard outside shell that is padded inside for comfort.  Some riders shun them because they can retain heat and may get uncomfortable on hot days.  But I've never found the discomfort enough to outweigh the benefits of the protection they afford.  I once spent  half an hour pulling cactus of the elbow a fellow rider who went down in a clump of the prickly stuff when he wasn't wearing any arm guards.

Body armor is a term that is sometimes applied to all  types of OHV protective equipment but may also refer to a single, one-piece unit that incorporates a chest protector, elbow pads, and kidney belt.  It is worn like a shirt under your jersey.  Personally I prefer the more extensive coverage offered by individual components, especially chest protectors that may include shoulder pads and coverage for collar bones.

Undergarments. Thought it may seem a bit indelicate to discuss undergarments, having the right ones can make a big difference in comfort. They should fit comfortably and be the right thickness for the weather -- thin, light ones for summer and thermal "long johns" for winter.  Undergarments should be made of a fabric that will wick away moisture as you perspire while riding.  Sitting on the seat of an ATV or dirt bike for several hours can make your backside sore, a condition jokingly called "monkey butt". Sounds funny, but it is no laughing matter if it occurs to you. Off road shops sell special lycra shorts to combat this condition but ordinary panty hose can provide a slick barrier between your tender skin and the tough riding pants that also works pretty darn well -- and they're a LOT cheaper than lycra shorts. In case you think you're too macho to wear panty hose, I remember when it became known that famous football quarterback Joe Namath wore pantyhose under his uniform for added comfort and for extra warmth on cold days. You don't have to be a cross-dresser to enjoy the benefits of this simple tip. By the way, you probably won't notice being extra warm if you wear them in summer months, but they do add a little bit (not much) of warmth on cold days -- and they always reduce monkey butt!  And for guys, they may reduce or eliminate the need to wear an athletic supporter, especially if they have the sturdy "control top" feature.  The LAST thing you need when riding is your pants chaffing on your backside and other delicate parts.  And, though this may be a bit indelicate and even offensive to some the macho guys out there, a jock strap and even a "cup" might be a good idea.  I've seen too many guys who ended up walking funny for a couple hours after having "tanked it".  And anyone might benefit from bicycle shorts, which have a padded crotch called a "chamois" to protect sensitive body parts from chafing on the seat and the slick shorts will help prevent "monkey butt".  While bicycle shorts may be considered outwear for pedal powered bikes, you still want to ware your padded riding pants over them on motorized vehicles.

Hydration: riding an OHV is strenuous work. On top of that, most of the riding we do is during warmer weather. However, you'll work up a sweat even when riding in the winter time. It has been said that Supercross (which is a highly formalized form of dirt biking) is THE most strenuous and physically demanding sport in the world. It is essential that you maintain sufficient electrolytes as well as hydration while riding. The result of failing to do so ranges from simple headache and fatigue, to severe muscle cramps, nausea, and even coma and death! A good way to stay hydrated on the trail is through use of a hydration pack, such as a Camelbak. These consist of a nylon pack with a vinyl bladder inside, filled with water and having a tube with a bite valve from which you can suck water as you need it. Remember, it is better to sip water often rather than gulping huge swallows when you get thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already partially dehydrated. If you do get extremely thirsty riding, resist the urge to gulp down a whole bunch of water at once. It isn't healthy. And, believe, me, you don't want to be bouncing around on some whooped-out trail with belly full of cold water! Drinking a bunch of cold water when you're overheated may cause nasty stomach cramps too. So, remember to sip, sip, sip all day long!  Be sure to take advantage of every break along the trail to drink a little water and, if you can, take a few sips now and then as you're riding.  If you attach a tab of velcro to the bite valve on your Camelbak and a matching tab on the front of your chest protector, it will always be handy and you will avoid having the bite valve pulled off by a passing bush.

Appropriate safety gear is not restricted to OHVs. You need the right boots, socks, hat, and perhaps a walking stick for hiking. Horseback rider should wear cowboy boots (so their feet fit properly in the stirrups), chaps (to protect legs against brush and minimize chafing on the saddle), and a riding helmet. A cowboy hat may look "cooler", but there are more head injuries among horse riders than among OHV riders, quite possibly because of the typical lack of head protection by horseback riders. Think about it.  When you fall off a horse you're a lot further from the ground than a dirt bike or ATV and you might be going just as fast and in as nasty terrain.  And I'll guarantee the rocks are just as hard!

If your toys include watercraft, make sure you wear Coast Guard approved flotation devices. You may be an excellent swimmer, but how well can you swim if you are unconscious or have a broken limb, concussion, cracked ribs, or severe stomach cramps? You may not like the way they look, but they're a lot more fashionable than funeral clothes! And today's vests and belts are far more attractive than the ugly old, puffy, orange Kapok vests of the past. In fact, many of them are downright fashionable.

Wearing all the appropriate gear does not guarantee you will never be injured. The speeds at which we ride, coupled with the kinds of terrain, types of activities, and the weight of our vehicles combine to sometimes create situations in which even the best gear will not fully protect even the best rider. However, I know from experience that proper gear can and does prevent many injuries. I have the scratches in my chest protector to prove it, scratches that otherwise would have removed substantial flesh from my shoulder and shoulder blade and possibly translated into broken bones when I went down on pavement where a trail crossed a highway. I also endured severe bruising in my calves when I crashed on a short ride when I failed to wear my knee pads, so I've experienced both sides of the coin.

Appropriate gear for many activities will also include a Camelbak style hydration pack or canteen.  You may also find wearing a back pack or fanny pack useful to bring along tools and supplies for comfort and security.  My daughter wore a teddy bear back pack when off-road racing her dirt bike.  In it she carried some basic tools etc and it made it a lot easier for us to spot her out on the course.  You should always have a personal first aid kit in your pack or pocket too.

One more thing: maintain your gear in good condition. If you go down hard and hit your noggin, figure that your helmet has done its job and it is time for a new one. Even if there is no sign of damage to the helmet shell, the interior shock-absorbing material is likely to have lost its ability to protect you from a subsequent hit. The padding does not spring back. It is designed to be crushed, absorbing the impact that would otherwise be transmitted directly to your head -- and brain! And that crushing is not visible and it doesn't bounce back. There is no non-destructive way to test the safety of a helmet. Better to be safe than sorry! Get a new one! If you find your helmet fits looser after a few get-offs, it is definitely a sign that it it should be retired.  Goggles should be kept clean and the lenses replaced whenever they become scratched or cloudy.  Not only do the scratches mess you your vision, they weaken the lens so it is move vulnerable to breaking if something impacts it. If the straps are frayed or stretched out, get new ones before your goggles fall off on the trail. You need them to keep debris out of you eyes, and you still have to see where you're going, so keep them clean on the trail too. A damaged chest protector may seem like better than nothing, but if a cracked portion splinters, your chest protector could become a chest penetrator -- not a good thing even on your best day! Tattered gloves offer little protection and may create a dangerous situation by getting caught on levers and may result in blisters. Boot straps should always be snugly latched. Watch out for the metal tips on the soles of riding boots. They have a nasty habit of coming loose and getting caught in the most inappropriate places at the most inopportune times. And make sure your boots fit right. If they're too small your feet are going to be in a world of hurt and they could even shut off circulation, causing serious, permanent damage. If they're too big, you risk blisters and they'll have a big negative impact on controlling your machine. Wear appropriate socks according to weather. I like to wear some thin dress socks beneath my heavy motocross socks even in hot weather.  The thin socks help prevent blisters while the thick socks help cushion my feet against the natural shock of normal rough terrain transmitted through the foot pegs.  Of course, if you wear panty hose to prevent "monkey butt" they'll also help prevent blisters under you thick motocross socks.  Make sure your boots are in good repair too.  Those metal tips have a tendency to come off and when they're part way off they can be a real hazard.  Re-nail the little buggers when they start coming loose before they get caught on something or get lost.  Any oose or missing fasteners should be repaired or replaced right away.  Stomping on the kickstarter often digs holes in the sole and the soles should be replaced when they get worn.

Appropriate safety gear may not always be the most fashionable or comfortable or inexpensive thing to wear, but it ALWAYS beats road rash, casts, bandages, hospital gowns, and funeral clothes! Old school riders had a tendency to match the color of their riding gear to their equipment, but current trends lends themselves to a wide variety of often unusual color combinations. Even the most macho Supercross champions have been known to wear bright pink gear! Bright colors may make you more visible and therefore, possibly safer on the trail. Besides that, they're fun!

Dress for safety and success!