Personal Protective Equipment for Campers and OHVers

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is well defined for many professions.   Football players wear helmets and shoulder and hip pads.  Welders wear goggles or helmets, heavy leather aprons, and heavy leather gloves.  Painters need respirators and coveralls.  Machinists wear safety goggles. Construction workers wear hard hats and steel toed boots.  Fire fighters have fire-resistant "turn out" gear.  Law enforcement has bullet proof vests.  Many of our camping, RVing, and OHV related activities have PPE that will improve safety and comfort.  Some, like helmets for OHV riders, may be required by law in some jurisdictions, but wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for any activity is just common sense -- and not wearing it is a badge of stupidity.  Some folks might think it isn't very fashionable or macho, but it sure beats road rash, casts and bandages!  Not wearing proper PPE pretty much demonstrates one has an IQ a few points less than a dandelion.  When you see some macho guy hot dogging it around on his dirt bike in a t-shirt and flip-flops you can figure the bike is probably smarter than he is.

OHV riders should ALWAYS wear helmets and goggles, regardless of whether there is a helmet law.  In many places, helmets are required by law, especially for minors.  Other personal protection is provided by apparel, chest protectors, gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and riding boots.  You can ride in regular shirts and pants, but I don't recommend it.  Ordinary clothing doesn't provide the same protection or comfort as proper riding gear.  Riding jerseys and pants are specifically designed to protect your body while allowing necessary freedom of movement and adequate ventilation.   Jerseys often have some padding in the elbows and pants have hip and knee pads.   Special "Windchill" jerseys and gloves will help keep you warm in cooler weather.  When it is rainy or down right cold, an Enduro jacket made of Gore-Tex is in order.  Even if your jersey has padded elbows, I suggest wearing elbow/arm guards for extra protection.  The soft padding the jersey won't give you the same level of protection as hard plastic arm guards.   I describe my riding gear as "full body armor".  I wear as much protection as I can and it has saved me from some nasty consequences more than once.  It includes helmet and goggles, chest protector, arm guards, gloves, hip pads in my riding pants, knee braces, kidney belt, and riding boots.  You can also buy body armor that you put on like a shirt. It has shoulder and elbow pads, a built-in kidney belt, and chest and back protection.  Whatever you wear may seem restrictive at first or uncomfortable, especially in warm weather, but the safety it provides is more than worth it.  Proper gear can protect you from a lot of injuries.  Full body armor is particularly necessary for dirt biking.   It may not be as necessary riding ATVs and side-by-sides since they don't fall over as easily, but helmet, goggles, and gloves are still strongly advised.  For dirt biking, I can't over-emphasize the value of full body armor.   ATVs are not far behind.  I wouldn't want to ride either without protection.  Standard knee pads are inexpensive. They are plastic devices that fit over your knees and down your leg, kind of like fancy soccer shin guards.  They protect your knee cap and shin from scrapes and bruises.   If you've ever knelt on a rock. let alone fallen on one, you'll appreciate the knee protection.  Knee pads usually cost less than $20.   A more robust protection comes in the form of knee braces.  Not only do they protect your knees and shins from bumps, they help prevent lateral displacement and over-extension of the knee.   They are somewhat bulky, but the main deterrent to getting knee braces is their high cost.  You can easily pay up to $500 a pair for them. I spent weeks watching ebay to find mine (used) for under $100.  I have a suit of body armor that can be worn under my jersey and includes a chest protector, elbow pads, and kidney belt, but it isn't as tough as the individual components and the chest protector lacks shoulder pads.  Although not part of your body armor, having a convenient drinking water supply is essential to good health on the trail.  I prefer a "Camelbak" hydration pack.  I add a piece of Velcro to the bite valve and a corresponding mating piece to the center of my chest protector to keep the bite valve handy and avoid having it pulled off going through bushes or trees or just falling of from the drinking tube whipping in the wind.  To help keep mine cool in summer weather, I wrap it in a piece of reflective foam insulation cut from an automotive windshield cover.  An old Army canteen is also a good way to carry water.   That's what my buddies and I used before Camelbaks.  Hydration packs are much easier to use and you can even take a sip as needed while riding, which is much better way of staying hydrated than gulping down a bunch of water when you take a break, which can lead to stomach cramps. 

Horse back riding presents many of the same opportunities for injury as riding an OHV.  I'm not aware of any equestrian helmet laws yet, but wearing a proper riding helmet is a good idea. Statistics I've read show there are far more head injuries from horseback riding than from motorcycle riding, yet there is no outcry for equestrian helmet laws.  A riding helmet may not look as fashionable or in style as a cowboy hat, but if you get thrown, it will do you a lot more good.  Speaking of cowboy hats, they do provide excellent protection from sun and rain.  They just don't stand up well if your head encounters a rock, a tree limb, or a log.  Chaps are a common part of the cowboy costume that is often the object of humor.  However, chaps are an important part of your horse back riding protection. They guard your legs against brush and tree branches and protect your thighs against rubbing on the saddle.  Gloves are needed to protect your hands against blisters and abrasions.  While eye protection isn't as critical as it is for OHV activities (unless you're racing or roping or driving a herd of cattle), you will want to at least wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare and over-exposure to UV radiation.   Cowboys usually carried their drinking water in a big canteen slung on the saddle horn. That still works and the old, blanket wrap style canteen allows you to dampen the sides to keep the water cooler.  There are also saddle horn packs that carry two water bottles and are convenient to use on the trail.  A hydration pack (Camelbak) like the one I use for dirt biking is also a convenient way of staying hydrated while horseback riding and is my personal favorite.

Bicycling is a convenient companion activity to RVing and camping.   A lot of people give little though to personal protective equipment for bicycling but it is worth considering.  Some places require helmets, especially for children and helmets are ALWAYS a good idea.  I like to wear mine over a ball cap because, like many bicycle helmets, mine doesn't have a visor and I don't like the sun in my eyes.  Comfortable, light weight gloves will protect your hands from blisters and help cushion your grasp on the handlebars.  You can buy special bicycling gloves but we've also find that equestrian riding gloves also work well.  My favorite bicycle gloves are actually left and right handed batting gloves!  Riding shorts provide comfortable crotch padding as well as necessary support for male riders.  The form-fitting Spandex type material helps prevent "monkey butt".  Some good sunglasses or safety glasses are needed to protect your eyes.  You also might benefit from clamps or elastic bands around your right ankle to prevent your pants leg from getting caught in the chain.  A helmet or handle-bar mounted mirror will help you keep track of riders behind you and watch for traffic overtaking you.  Again, a Camelbak is a handy way to stay hydrated, but  you can also carry water bottles in racks on the frame of your bicycle.  Just be sure to make regular stops to take a sip  now and then.

Most aquatic activities require flotation devices.   In many places they are required by law as well as by common sense.  You should always wear a Coast Guard approved flotation device when boating, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding, and jet skiing.  Those little plastic floaties for kiddie pools don't count, not for you or for the kids.  You are no longer limited to the ugly, orange kapok vests that were once the only choice.   Now approved flotation devices come in both vest and belt versions and in a variety of fashionable colors.  Make sure your device is Coast Guard approved, to ensure your safety as well as to comply with legal requirements.   For many aquatic activities a good hat and sunglasses are needed to protect your face, neck, and eyes from sunburn. Waterproof sunblock is needed to prevent sunburn.   Remember to consider the reflected sunlight as well as direct exposure.  You can get a nasty burn from reflection while seated in the shade on the beach or on the covered deck of a boat.   UV rays can penetrate clouds, so don't ignore sunblock on cloudy days.  If you do, you'll regret it!

Most people don't think of camping as an activity that needs personal protective equipment, but they are wrong!  There are many camping activities, even when camping in an RV, that benefit from protective equipment.  Sturdy leather gloves are at the top of my list. Y ou need them when cutting and handling fire wood, pounding and pulling tent stakes, handling hot pots and pans, and a myriad of other manual tasks around the camp site.   Goggles should also be worn when cutting wood.  I would also recommend wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.   Sunglasses will help protect your eyes against UV rays and painful glare.  While wearing tank tops and short shorts may provide simulating entertainment or humorous diversions to your fellow campers depending on  your physique, you are better off wearing light weight, long sleeved shirts and long pants. It protects you from sunburn and insects, reflects direct sunlight to keep you cooler, and allows perspiration to do a better job of cooling your body.  Sturdy shoes are advised. You will see a lot of people at campgrounds in flip-flops and sandals, but they are risking injury or insect bites.  Be especially dubious of wearing open footwear when desert camping, where poisonous insects are common.  Ticks are a common problem in the woods and they are often carries of Lyme Disease.  You can probably get away with wearing sandals and flip-flops in a paved campground or at the beach -- it you don't mind the pale strap-marks that will be there when you remove them after a day or two in the sun or the sunburn you may get on exposed areas.   RVers should wear disposable rubber gloves whenever they are dumping holding tanks or handling the sewer hose and holding tank chemicals.  They might also be helpful when refueling or when checking your oil, unless you like to smell of gasoline or used motor oil on your fingers.  You could even consider oven mitts and hot pads as PPE for camp cooking.

Why do I need PPE for hiking?  After all, its just walking.   In the first place, hiking is usually a lot more than just walking.  Hiking has a few items of personal protective equipment to ensure safety. Sturdy boots top the list.   They need to be adequate to support your ankles and protect your feet from stones, poison insects and snakes.  Proper socks are needed to keep your feet comfortable.   Not only do socks cushion your feet, they provide insulation to keep your feet warmer in winter and cooler in summer and provide protection against chafing that can cause blisters.   Good hiking socks will wick sweat away from your skin.  In fact, if you check out footwear recommendations for hiking you will see descriptions of entire sock systems involving multiple layers to ensure maximum comfort and safety in all seasons.  Like any other outdoor activity, you should protect your head and eyes from too much sun.   A lot of hikers wear baseball caps, but broad-brimmed hats protect your neck as well as your face and, besides keeping your neck from getting sunburned, that can be a real advantage if you get caught in the rain.  I, for one, really hate having rain run down my back!  As always, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.  Some light gloves might be helpful to protect your hands, especially if you're using a walking stick or hiking anyplace you have to do any rock climbing.   Though more for comfort than personal protection (unless you have to use it as a weapon), a walking stick is a good thing to have.   If you've never tried hiking with one, check it out.  You'll be surprised how much stress it takes off your legs and back.   A lot of hikers just use an old tree branch but some prefer commercial walking sticks.   You can even get light weight telescoping aluminum walking sticks for added convenience.  Some of these have built in shock absorbers for even more comfort.   Due to the exertion of hiking, hydration is VERY IMPORTANT, so carry a canteen, water bottles, or wear a hydration pack. Jackets appropriate to the climate and weather are also advisable.  It is smart to dress in layers so you can adjust your clothing as temperatures -- air and/or body temperature -- demands.  I have something called a "JackPack" that is a combination jacket and back pack.  It isn't very heavy but would provide some protection against a sudden summer shower as well as for carrying a few essential items.  An inexpensive plastic poncho is always a good thing to tuck in  your pocket or your pack.  They are about the size and weight of a folder handkerchief so they aren't cumbersome to carry and having one could save you from getting soaked in a sudden summer storm.  And remember, you lose body heat 25 times as fast in wet clothes.  You can get dangerously hypothermic even in mild weather (temps in the 70s Fahrenheit) if your clothes are wet. 

Hunting and fishing have their own special needs.  If you are a hunter, you are aware that many hunting seasons occur in winter when you will need appropriate cold weather gear.  You also know you need to dress to be seen, so other hunters don't mistake you for game.  A lot of hunting clothing uses various camouflage designs.  While that might make you harder for your prey to see, it also makes you harder for other hunters to see.   Since many animals are color blind, it is far more important that fellow hunters see you than animals don't.   If your parka isn't bright orange, wear a bright safety vest.  In warm weather you can wear the vest over your shirt without much discomfort. You will also need to address how you carry your weapons and ammo.  Holsters and ammo bands or bags should be sturdy, comfortable, and easily accessible.   Hydration is an important issue so carry a canteen or wear a hydration pack.  Sturdy boots are a necessity for tramping through the woods and fields . If you're in an area where you might encounter poisonous snakes, high top boots are advised. About the only special gear I've seen for fishing are hip-waders (and a cool fishing  hat!).   If you plan to spend time in the water, you'll need these for both comfort and to reduce hypothermia.   You might even want to wear a wet suit inside of them for extra protection.  Always exercise caution when wearing hip-waders.  Take care not to venture into deep water.   If water comes over the top of the waders they will quickly fill up and drag you down.   Make sure you know how to get out of them quickly if the need arises.  A good fishing hat should protect your face and neck from sunburn.  Many fisherman decorate theirs with lures.  If you do, make sure there are no exposed hooks to snag your scalp or your fingers!  Sunglasses will be essential to protecting your eyes from the reflections off the water . Flotation devices are advisable, especially if you're fishing from a boat or pier or where you might easily fall into the water.   Sunglasses are needed to protect your eyes from reflected glare off the water.

An unusual item that many OHV and bicycle riders (maybe horse riders too) find useful is ladies panty hose, for both men and women.  It provides a slick undergarment to prevent chafing and what riders call "monkey butt".  If you straddle any kind of saddle -- on dirt bike, ATV, JetSki, bicycle, or horse, a little extra protection can prevent a lot of discomfort and guard against painful "monkey butt".  Lest you think it wearing panty hose is only for wimps or girls, remember there was an NFL quarterback who wore them under his uniform in pro games.  There are spandex undergarments designed to do the same thing, but they cost a LOT more and tend to be somewhat hotter and bulkier.  That might be a good thing in cold weather, but not particularly desirable for desert rides.  An added benefit is they can help prevent your riding boots and heavy motocross socks from chafing and causing blisters on your feet.  Guys might do well to buy "control top" panty hose.  The extra upper support may reduce or eliminate the need to wear an athletic supporter and are generally more comfortable.

Rock climbing, mountain climbing, and spelunking each have their own specialized equipment that is necessary to even participate.  Proper boots, gloves, and harnesses are essential, along with sturdy clothing that can stand up to the rigors of constant contact with rough surfaces.  Hard hats are often needed too since you will frequently find yourself in areas with loose rocks.  Wearing a hard hat is sometimes cumbersome and irritating.   Rocks bouncing off your hard hat are annoying.   Rocks bouncing off your head are painful, perhaps even fatal!

Birdwatching seems to be a pretty passive activity but you still need to be aware of your personal safety when tromping around the wilderness and especially if climbing trees, rocks, or hills to locate or follow your targets.  An appropriate safety harness might be a good idea if you plan to do a lot of tree climbing.  Dress for the weather and terrain.  Sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and broad-brimmed hat should be your basic wardrobe.  And always carry drinking water. Water bottles, canteen, or the oft-mentioned hydration pack will do the job.  If you plan to climb trees and set up your viewing stations in them, use a safety harness to secure yourself to a sturdy trunk in case you get so enamored with your quarry that you lose your balance or a sudden gust of wind knocks you loose.

Sightseeing may seem safe enough, and, indeed, usually it is.  Wear appropriate hats, sunglasses, and clothing to protect from sunburn and insects.  Wear comfortable shoes and carry water to maintain hydration.   Use the straps on camera equipment to help avoid it being lost if dropped or snatched!   Pay close attention to warning signs and park rules to avoid potentially dangerous situations and avert getting a citation.  Maintain "situational awareness" -- observe your surroundings and watch out for suspicious behavior.  Many times thieves, pickpockets, con artists and muggers will target obvious tourists, viewing them as easy and affluent targets.

Keep safe!