RV, OHV, and Camping Safety

Overall, RVing, OHVing, and Camping are pretty safe.  In fact, statistically, the most dangerous part of our dirt bike outings to the Mojave Desert was getting there on southern California freeways in spite of sometimes popular opinions about the risks of riding off road motorcycles.  However, there are potential risks one should be aware of and take appropriate steps to avoid problems when venturing into the great outdoors.  There have been a few reported cases of violent crimes in campgrounds, but, generally there is little violent crime in and around campgrounds.   Most of your dangers will come from normal driving to get there and back and from carelessness in the activities you might be engaged in.   If you fear you may be the victim of a violent crime, you should take steps to ensure your safety and protect your family.  High risk individuals probably already have personal security for other places and should continue it during recreational activities.  Your usual bodyguards are usually well qualified to handle urban situations but they may not have the experience and expertise to deal with recreational activities so you might want to seek someone who specializes or at least has experience in that area.

RV Risks.  The highest risks associated with RVs have to do with driving them.   While RVs are purported to enjoy a lower accident rate than ordinary vehicles, they are still subject to the same traffic patterns and failures -- and their size and weight introduce additional factors their drivers need to take into consideration.  That doesn't mean you should be timid or fearful driving your RV.  Quite the opposite.  You need to be confident and aware.  Many RV dealers and owners clubs offer RV driving classes.   If you're new to driving an RV or lack confidence, taking one of these courses would be helpful.  It may even save you money on your insurance.  Being mindful of the size and weight of your rig will help you avoid potential hazards.   Your RV is much taller than your family car so watch for overhead obstacles like branches and street signs.  Even experienced RVers sometimes forget or misjudge a clearance, often with expensive consequences.   One Class C owner decided to drive into a parking structure to avoid walking in the rain.  His rig cleared the warning sign at the entrance, but a little further in he got tightly wedged under a low beam and severely damaged his air conditioner.   I ripped the A/C off my enclosed motorcycle trailer at one of my daughter's desert races when I drove under low hanging branch in the pit area.   A motorhome or trailer is usually about 8' wide.  With mirrors on motorhomes they need at least 10-12' clearance.   I once got squeezed by traffic in a small town and knocked one of the mirrors off my Class A motorhome by hitting a street sign along the curb.   Look ahead and plan your path to avoid tight spots and traffic that might force you into a tight spot.  In my case I'm sure I did the right thing. Losing a mirror was a lot less traumatic and expensive than a head-on collision!  Weight will affect stopping distance and how sharply you can turn.   Even if you don't tip over, weight may not let you turn as tightly as you would with a smaller vehicle.  Once again, plan ahead -- slow down and give yourself plenty of room.  Be especially careful on wet or snowy roads.  Wet roads have 50% less traction than dry ones.   Snowy or icy ones reduce traction to near zero.   Traction affects acceleration, turning, and stopping.  Because an RV has many if not all of the features and systems of a home, you also have many of the risks you face at home, including fire.  Because of the fuel (motor fuel for a motorhome and propane for motorhomes, trailers, and campers) you have an even higher probability of an explosion than you normally have at home.  Inspect your fuel systems regularly to ensure you have no leaks.   If you smell propane inside your RV or the propane alarm goes off, GET OUT and leave the door open.   Avoid anything that might cause spark, even turning lights on or off.  Propane alarms usually don't false alarm, but sometimes they can be set off by the volatiles in perfume, after shave, and cologne.  My dad discovered that flatulence from his little dog, whose favorite napping spot was near the propane detector, set it off.  But until you KNOW FOR SURE it isn't a propane leak, treat it like one whenever the alarm goes off.  Keep one or more fire extinguishers easily accessible.  RVs are required to have at least one fire extinguish and they're usually quite small, intended primarily for little cooking fires.   Keep one near the galley.  I also carry a larger, commercial size fire extinguisher for an added measure of safety.   It won't put out the flames if the whole rig is involved, but it could handle an engine fire if used soon enough.  If the fire is too large for you to handle, get you and your family out and away from the unit as quickly as possible.  Any fire larger than a waste basket requires professional firefighting equipment and techniques.  Your RV can be replaced. Lives can't.  And be sure to get a safe distance away.  Propane and other fuel tanks can explode with extreme force.

OHV risks.  Non-riders see OHV users as risk takers.   Certainly the popular media have done their share to promote this image.  OHV crashes make spectacular videos, safe riding isn't always as entertaining.  While it is true there are some risks associated with riding any OHV, most of the risks are under rider control.  Exercising reasonable caution, developing your skills, and wearing proper protective gear will significantly reduce your chances of being injured.  Like any situation involving vehicular traffic, you may be the victim of someone else's carelessness, but most of what might happen is under your control.   You can minimize your risk of falling prey to someone else's folly by staying alert when you are riding and watch for other traffic.  Make sure you are riding legally and in control.  Many self-inflicted accidents are due to riders failing to recognize and ride within their current limits.  That doesn't mean you can't have fun or shouldn't learn new skills and grow.  It just means you should do it carefully.   Don't blindly follow an expert rider up a technically difficult trail you aren't qualified to handle.  Seek instruction from competent riders to guide you in developing your skills.  Experienced riders make things like wheelies and jumping doubles look easy -- and perhaps for them it is.  But in reality it has taken them a lot of training and practice so don't expect to be able to just do it.  My own kids were anxious and impatient to emulate their favorite Supercross stars.   It took some leaning on them to get them to take time to work up to some of more technical maneuvers.  You don't want to completely suppress your kids -- or your own -- desire to master the fun stuff.  But you do want to keep it fun, and getting hurt is NOT fun!  I asked my kids to back off just 1/2 of 1 percent.  It is often that last little push that takes them over the edge.   We also learned to avoid making "just one last jump" or climbing "one last hill" or taking "one last ride" at the end of an outing.  Seems like those were often the times when things got out of control and resulting in damage to vehicles and riders.  Wearing proper personal protective equipment is also something that is fully under a rider's control and goes a long way toward preventing unnecessary injuries.  Never, ever ride without a helmet and goggles.  Proper boots and knee protection are also necessary.  You should also wear gloves and elbow pads and a chest protector.  My first chest protector didn't have shoulder pads and I ended up breaking a collar bone in a rather mundane crash.  Some riders don't like the shoulder pads because they get in the way of your full face helmet when turning your head, but personally, I think the restriction is well worth the extra protection.  My broken collar bone was the result of my full face helmet effectively judo-chopping  my collar bone as I tucked and rolled when my bike and I parted company on a smooth, flat dry lake bed.  The main thing that will keep you safe, is to THINK!

Other Activities, like boating, swimming, hiking, or horseback riding, each require their own appropriate safety equipment and procedures.  Equestrian helmets aren't as fashionable as cowboy hats, but they offer a lot more protection if you get thrown off your horse!   Head injuries from equestrian accidents exceed those from motorcycle accidents, yet, for some reason, there is no public outcry for an equestrian helmet law.   Life jackets or other approved flotation devices are required in most regulated boating areas and are simply common sense wherever you go on the water.   Hunting and fishing each have their own risks and safety concerns.  Hunters are encouraged to wear bright orange clothing to make themselves visible to other hunters so they don't become targets.  Always make sure you have a clean shot at any target.  Fishing accidents can occur when you fall into the water or you may be injured by your own or someone else's fish hooks.  Fly casting safety requires you maintain an adequate distance from other fisherman, spectators, and any obstacles that might snag your line.  Hiking protocols dictate staying on designated trails and watching where you step. Remember that prey follows trails, predators parallel trails.  If you suspect you are being stalked by a predator, you may want to get off the trail for a short time, maybe just stop and take a break and give the animals time to find other opportunities.  Avoid stepping over rocks or logs that could conceal a snake or other creature who might bite you.   Don't run, especially on steep or rocky or twisty trails or if there are predators around.  Running tells a predator that you are 'prey' and may encourage them to attack.  You are very unlikely to outrun any predator.   If you encounter a predator, like mountain lion or a bear, move slowly to the side.   Do not turn your back on them.  You need to keep an eye on what they're doing.  Never, ever get between an animal and its young or approach the young!   Even normally shy creatures like deer can get aggressive if they think you are a threat to their young.  Often it is helpful to make yourself appear as big and scary as possible to discourage predators.  Just don't do anything that would seem like you're threatening them -- or their young.

Camping risks.   Most of the risks you face camping are under your control.  Campers have accidents chopping wood, building fires, cooking, hiking, and setting up their tents.   Most of these accidents can be avoided using proper safety procedures.  Make sure your axe or hatchet is in good condition.  Hold it by the head and swing it 360 to make sure there are no people or obstacles that my interfere with your swing before chopping wood.  Use a stick to hold piece of wood you want to split instead of chopping near your fingers!  Build your campfire correctly.   Clear away an combustible materials for at least 5' around the fire.  Avoid the use of gasoline or other accelerants to start your fire. If you must use accelerants, do so with caution.  Don't build too big a fire.  Watch for and control blowing sparks.   Don't build a fire under low-hanging branches.   Use proper implements and heavy gloves or "hot pads" when cooking on the campfire.  Know and use proper procedures when using a camp stove.  Be aware of your surroundings when hiking.  Wear appropriate footwear.   Watch where you're walking.   Stay back from the edge of cliffs or embankments.  Even if they look safe, they might collapse and send tumbling into a ravine or river.   Use proper procedures setting up your tent. Be careful not to poke someone in the eye with the end of a tent pole.  Wear heavy leather gloves and be careful when driving stakes.  Many a hand has been smashed trying to drive tent stakes.  Hold the stake low while getting it started to keep your hand as far away as possible from where the hammer will strike.   Tap gently to get the stake started in to the soil.  Once it will stand up by itself you can remove your holding hand and strike harder to set the stake.   Animals pose a threat to campers in some areas.  The most common are bears that have become semi-dependent on campers for food and hang around campgrounds like Yogi Bear, looking for an unattended picnic basket.   Put your food in bear-proof containers to lock in in your vehicle or hang it high in a tree to discourage would-be furry free loaders.  Check with the local rangers about potential animal threats.  Mountain lions are known to frequent some locations.   In the wild, most animals well steer clear of humans, but in many popular campgrounds they have become all to familiar and comfortable with human visitors.  Never get between a mother animal and her offspring!  Even Bambi's mom can deliver a fatal attack via a head butt or sharp hooves.   Fire will help keep most animals way at night.  Loud noise may scare them off.  In most cases, running is not recommended.  When you run you seem like prey and the animal's instinct is to chase you.  It is unlikely you'll be able to outrun a bear or mountain lion. Poisonous snakes and insects are also a potential danger to campers.  If you're allergic to bees, carry an epi-pen in case you get stung.   Avoid reaching into places (hollow logs, under rocks, logs, or tree roots, or "snake holes") where poisonous creatures might lurk.

If, for any reason, you feel the need for personal protection while camping, make sure you check out the local laws and campground regulations about carrying weapons.   Laws and regulations vary considerably from location to location and could change at any time.  If you -- or anyone on your staff -- do opt to carry any kind of weapons, be sure they are properly trained and have the proper licenses and/or permits.  Adequate training goes beyond simply learning how to operate a device.  You may have seen the movie "The Mask of Zorro" in which the young, soon to be Zorro is asked if he knows how to use a sword, to which he replies "The pointy end goes in the other man".  While he understood the basic functionality, at that point he lacked the necessary skills to handle the weapon properly and achieve satisfactory results.  You need to know when and how to use it safely and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to react appropriately if you are threatened.   If you choose to carry a weapon, you must be prepared to use it.  Hesitation can allow your assailant to turn your weapon against you or give them time to use theirs.   In an emergency, a can of wasp spray can be nearly as effective in thwarting an attack as tactical chemical sprays -- and no license or permit is needed to carry a can of wasp spray in your RV or other vehicle.  With a range of 15-20 feet, they can even keep potential threats further away than pepper spray or mace, which typically has a range of about 5'.  If you think you need a firearm, consider ALL of the ramifications of owning and using one.  Learn how to use it and how to care for it and how to store it safely.  Educate yourself about legal ways you can use it.  Prepare yourself mentally for potential encounters.   Practice, practice, practice!  Remember that under the stress of a live situation the accuracy of even the best marksmen is about half as good as target practice.

A non-lethal alternative to carrying a handguns is a device called a bean bag gun.   Bean bag ammunition fired from a 12 gauge shotgun has been used by law enforcement as a non-lethal alternative for more than 50 years.  A device known as the ARMA-100 is now available to the general public.  It is powered by nitrogen or CO2 cartridges and can be legally carried in all 50 states.  It is designed to disable an attacker up to 20 feet away and give you time to escape.  You can check it out and even order one at www.armausa.com.  Please enter LS2015 in the coupon code if you make a purchase.

Your best defense against the risks of RVing, OHVing, and camping is common sense. Unfortunately, often there is nothing so rare as common sense.  Think things through and consider possible undesirable consequences and what you can do to mitigate them.  Avoid dangerous or suspicious situations.  Always use appropriate safety equipment and exercise correct procedures for any and all activities you engage in.

And remember, YOU are personally responsible for YOUR safety!

Be safe!