Camping in Rain!

Who would want to go camping in the rain?  Few if any of us would set out with the goal of camping in the rain but sooner or later you will probably be caught in a rain storm while you're camping and in some parts of the country rain is a nearly constant companion. A light rain can be a fun for a while; then it becomes a nuisance. A downpour can really rain on your parade! Your first priority is to keep an eye on the weather. Unless you are either close to home or in an area you visit often, weather patterns will be unfamiliar and you may easily get surprised. Listen to weather updates on the local radio station or use a NOAA weather radio for continuous updates -- and, above all, be observant. Pay attention to which way the clouds move and note changes in the color, density, formation, and turbulence of clouds moving toward you. Dark, roiling clouds moving toward you will probably bring a storm. I once initially declined a dirt bike ride in the Mojave Desert because, as I told my kids, I "didn't like the looks of the clouds over the mountains" in the direction we would be heading. They were dark, roiling, ominous, and headed our way. However, my teen age boys were adamant about going with the group and I didn't want some other dad (Gary) stuck watching out for my kids so I went on the ride. Another, wiser and more experienced riding buddy, Al, a former desert racer, opted to stay in camp. He didn't like the looks of the clouds either, so I felt somewhat vindicated. We were relaxing at our destination, a country store some distance from camp, under clear skies, sitting back enjoying a cold soda, when Gary quipped "Al really blew it this time. Just look! It is perfect!" As if on queue, the words were no sooner out of his mouth than the wind kicked up and it began to sprinkle. We started rounding up our group and getting ready to head back to camp. By the time we were back on the trail the sprinkles had turned to drizzle then the drizzle soon turned into a good hard rain. Before long the rain turned to sleet and then to snow. We were all looking forward to getting back to camp and out of the storm. The 18 mile ride out turned into a 27 mile return trip when the dry lake we'd crossed on the way out was no longer dry and we had to go around. By the time we got back to camp, everyone one was soaked to the skin and freezing. My boys couldn't even let go of the handlebars because their hands were so cold. They just slid their cold, curled fingers off the ends of the grips and let the bikes fall over in the mud as they dashed into the motorhome to get warm. After that they had a little more appreciation for the old man's opinion about the weather! On a side note, having a warm and cozy RV waiting and a quick way to prepare some hot chocolate and a bowl of Mom's Marvelous Mojave Mild Chili was wonderful! Glad we weren't tent camping that trip! We had a 10x14 cabin tent set up as dirt-bike "garage" but it had blown down in the wind and had accumulated at least 25 gallons of water in its folds during the storm. The opposing overhead poles slipped right past each other in the rain-softened ground and left the whole thing flattened. Sure glad that wasn't our primary shelter! On the other hand, even having a tent where we could get in out of the weather and change into dry clothes would have been a blessing. A tent heater or even a Coleman lantern (properly ventilated) would have warmed up the tent and we could have heated up some chili and hot chocolate on the camp stove or campfire outside during a break in the storm.

Light rain might dampen your activities and your spirits but usually isn't too much of a problem, even for tent campers, unless you have a leaky tent. You can usually just wait it out in your vehicle or your tent. Some people even like to walk or ride in the rain -- if they are properly dressed for it and/or have a good umbrella and/or are properly dressed for it. A light rain on a hot day is even refreshing. However, even a light summer rain can dangerously reduce your body temperature if your clothing gets soaked -- you will loose heat about 25 times faster in wet clothes than in dry ones -- so if you expect rain or want to be prepared in case it comes, bring along a good rain suit or at least a poncho. You can get plastic ponchos at your dollar store.  They aren't the most fashionable thing you could wear but they can help keep you at least part of you dry.  In a pinch you might poke head and arms holes in a large trash bag to keep the rain off. If you do get soaking wet, change into dry clothes before you become hypothermic.  If you don't have any dry clothes, get out of the wet ones and wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag while your clothes dry.  Don't sit around in wet clothes, not even by a campfire.  When you are in wet clothing it is possible to get dangerously hypothermic even in mild outdoor summer temperatures.  Your core temperature only needs to drop a little under 4 degrees (from 098.6°F to 95°F) to become hypothermic and seriously in trouble so you see it doesn't have to be freezing outside for your body to get too cold.  You can get hypothermic in 70° temperatures if you're wet.

Heavy rain can wreak havoc in camp. Heavy rain can swamp tents. It can soften the ground holding tent pegs and beneath the leveling jacks on RVs. Tent pegs may pull out, tent poles may sink in.  Leveling jacks and blocks may get mashed into the mud.  Rain can bring flash floods, even if the rain is miles away. It can make getting in and out of unpaved camping areas difficult and even dangerous. I've seen ground that was so hard when dry a pick would bounce off it, but after a few minutes rain stepping on the same rocky spot you would sink in up over your ankles. Heavy rain may reveal any weakness in your RV or tent. Inspect likely areas (seams, around windows and doors, and around exterior fixtures like vents) frequently for signs of leaks. Make note of any you find so you can attend to them when the storm lets up. Unless you have some waterproof sealing tape that sticks to wet surfaces there isn't much you can do during a storm but noting where the leaks are and limiting damage by putting a pan under drips to contain the water. A tarp over your tent or RV might deflect a lot of the rain -- if you have one with you and have the means to put it up and secure it.  I've seen heavy rain send enough muddy water through a campsite that the grass patio mats next to RVs literally disappeared under deposits of silt an inch or more thick!

There are two major things to think about when it rains. 1) Affect of the rain on your camp (RV, tent, exposed equipment) and 2) what do do while it is raining. If you have set your camp up properly and prepared your tent or RV for bad weather, the first concern should already be taken care of. NEVER wait until the bad weather hits or is imminent to prepare. Keeping your equipment in good condition goes a long way toward being prepared for bad weather. Rips in tents or awnings should be quickly repaired and leaks in RVs quickly sealed. When the weather turns bad, double check the ropes and stakes holding down your tent, roll up RV awnings, and get equipment and gear you don't want getting wet inside your vehicle or tent or cover them with tarps. Make sure you aren't parked or camped in a depression that will fill with water or in the natural path of water coming off the hills and down the canyons. Flash floods can occur many miles away from the actual point of rain fall, so, even if you aren't getting rained on but there is rain in the area, take precautions -- move to higher ground if necessary. Don't wait until you see the water rising to take action. By then it is probably too late. The water is likely to rise faster than you can get out of its way.

Preparing your RV for rain. If you're camping in an RV, roll up the awnings, close the windows, and secure all your outside equipment. Gather up camp chairs and, if you don't have someplace inside to put them, slide them under your vehicle. Make sure you aren't parked in an area that might be affected by flash floods, such as a wash, dry stream bed, or depression. If there is lightning nearby and you are parked near or under a tall tree or other obstacle, like a light pole or radio tower, try to move to a safer spot. Also be sure you aren't parked in a sand wash or other depression that could be flooded. Even rain over mountains miles away can cause flash floods to roar down sand washes.  Once you have everything safe, go inside and prepare some indoor activities for you can your companions. Card games, board games, reading, or watching movies are always good things to do when you can't be outside. You might plan some special snacks to help get you through.

If you are tent camping, some tents fare better in rain than others. A good 4-season tent, well anchored, should be able to weather all but the worst storms. Lighter, 3-season tents, might need a little help. First of all, make sure all standard anchors (stakes and guy ropes) are securely in place. It is far to common to ignore staking down modern dome tents and that is probably OK most of the time.  But during a storm, you will want it well secured to the ground!  Some tents have additional grommets or rings called guy-out loops, for attaching extra guy ropes for additional security. Sometimes you can attach extra ropes to the tops of tent poles to reduce movement in the wind. Attaching at least two guy ropes at right angles to each other can add a lot of stability.  If you have a rain fly, make sure it is in place and properly secured. If you don't have a rain fly and are expecting heavy rain, you might want to consider putting an extra tarp over your tent for added protection.  Make sure your ground cloth doesn't stick out past the base of your tent or it will funnel water underneath the floor.   Double check to be sure your camp isn't in a wash, dry stream bed, or depression that might be inundated by a flash flood. Remember, flash floods can occur miles from where it is raining. Also ensure that you aren't camped under a tree or other tall structure that might attract lightning if there is lightning in the area. Make sure all your equipment is secured and covered or placed inside your vehicle. Camp chairs, stoves, coolers, lanterns, recreational equipment, tools, etc should all be put away BEFORE the storm actually hits. Dig out your indoor activities so you and your family will have something to do while it rains and get your snacks ready.

What to do about leaks. When it rains you will quickly find out if your tent or RV has any leaks. When you discover you have leaks you will want to fix them as soon as possible. There is a special sealant tape, Eternabond RV-EMT, that will stick even when the surface is wet so it can be used to seal leaks even when it is raining, Ordinary duct tape will help, but you'll have to wait until it stops raining and dry the surface to get the tape to stick well.  If you really need to slow the leaks while it is still raining, try to dry off the surface as much as you can before trying to apply duct tape.  Then you should have less problems in the next rain. If you have leaks in your tent or your RV, try covering the area with a tarp to deflect the rain until you can make permanent repairs.  Small leaks, like drips oozing through tent seams, might be fixed using a waxy seam sealer or waterproof spray such as Camp Dry.  Leaking RV seams will need to be re-caulked or sealed with silicone.

What to do while it is raining. I often try to make good use of bad weather to perform productive tasks inside my RV or enclosed motorcycle trailer. I find it is a good time not only to make minor repairs or perform maintenance on my bikes and equipment, it is also a good time to take inventory and clean and organize riding gear, tools, and supplies. If you have children with you, they're not going to be too interested in such activities, at least not for long, so you'll want to have alternate things planned for them to do. I found my older (teen age) kids could usually be pretty productive and sometimes the younger ones would want to help too. With today's technology, electronic entertainment is often an option if you're in an RV with a generator. We usually take along several favorite movies for the kids or grandkids, often some with a theme that is related to our location or activity. I keep a copy of the dirt bike movie "On Any Sunday" in my motorhome. Its always a hit on a dirt bike outing.  Simple board or card games can also help pass the time pleasantly. Books and magazines are good options for many people, both children and adults. If you have wifi access you can surf the Internet. Even without access you may find ways to pass the time using your computer. Letter writing, via computer or good old-fashioned pen and paper is another productive way to use "down time". You may want to take time to document your trip thus far, and record some of your group's feelings and response to the storm. Routine cleaning inside the RV often lags behind activities when we are able to go outside and DO something, so catching up while the weather is bad is a good idea -- and makes the rest of the trip more enjoyable. And today's teens will no doubt find texting a good way to spend the time if they have cell service. And don't discount just sitting warm cozy in your tent or RV and watching the storm! Many storms have a beauty all their own, especially lightning storms -- assuming you have taken appropriate precautions and are not in a vulnerable position. If you get a gentle rain, you may even find it fun to go for a walk -- if you have appropriate rain gear.

Prepare. The main point of all this is to prepare for storms BEFORE you are caught in one. Already have indoor games and activities planned for you and your kids. And, of course, make sure you have done all you need to do to make sure your camp is ready for the bad weather. Check with other campers in the area to find out if they've experienced storms there before and learn what to expect. People familiar with the area can give insight into how long the storm may last and how severe it might be. Keep in mind that even highly trained meteorologists with sophisticated computer models can't always predict the weather accurately. Best to prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't happen.

OHV activities should usually be curtailed during rain. Rain on your goggles and fogging up inside will limit your vision, increasing the risk of an accident. Mud thrown up by other riders or splashed by your own vehicle can block your vision and accumulate on the vehicle, potentially leading to corrosion of metal components or permanent staining of plastic parts if it is left on too long. Wet, muddy road and trail surfaces will have reduced traction and you'll have less control of your vehicle. ATVs, especially those with 4 wheel drive, are more stable in wet conditions than are dirt bikes or mountain bikes. Crashing on a muddy trail isn't much fun and riding when you are wet or muddy will be very uncomfortable and could lead to dangerous hypothermia. If you're out on the trails when rain is imminent, head back to camp and enjoy watching and listening to it from inside your tent or RV or under some kind of shelter. If you get caught in the rain a long way from camp, seek any shelter you can find. You might find it more comfortable to stop and stay still in the rain than to continue riding in it, but on the other hand, you might want to get back to camp and warm, dry clothes and a hot meal and/or beverage as soon as possible. I've seen conflicting opinions on whether you stay drier standing still or speeding through the rain.   One indisputable factor is time: the longer you're in the rain, the wetter you'll get, so hurrying back to camp may be the better choice.   I read of an experiment to determine if running or walking in rain kept you dryer.  While you might run into extra rain drops laterally when running, the main factor still turned out to be time.  The longer you're in the rain, the more will fall on you and the wetter you'll get.   If you have appropriate rain gear, riding OHVs in the rain can be fun. However, always exercise extra caution. Even if you are riding safely, others might not be! Getting soaked, even in summer weather, can lead to dangerous hypothermia. Continuing to ride when you're wet will speed evaporation and cool you off faster.

Will you stay drier walking or running in the rain?   There has always been some debate about this, but an actual mathematical analysis gives us the simple answer:   the less time you spend in the rain, the drier you will be, so moving from point A to point B, you will stay drier by running.  Turns out the amount of rain that falls directly onto you from above is the same whether you are moving or standing still.  When you move, you also encounter rain drops in front of you, and how wet you get from that depends only on the distance and not the speed.  The bottom line:  running will keep your drier than walking, but standing still will keep you even drier, especially if you have an umbrella or other protection from the falling rain.

Don't let it be said that you didn't have enough sense to come in -- or get your stuff -- out of the rain!

Fall Camping

Fall is when most campers put their stuff away for the winter.  But there are some really great experiences to be enjoyed as the leaves begin to turn.  Weather won't be too bad yet and is usually even more comfortable than hot summer days.  The cooler evenings are perfect for campfires.  You probably won't have to deal with freezing weather in early fall, but, depending on how high up in the mountains you go and how late in the season it is, you might encounter some pretty cold nights so be prepared to protect you and your equipment against snow and freezing overnight temperatures.  And bring your  cold weather clothing too.

Fall brings colorful leaf changes in many parts of the country.  Be sure to check out potential locations near you where you can enjoy the bright yellows, oranges, and reds as deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves for the winter.  The only downside to seeking good viewing of fall foliage is that you may encounter heavier than normal traffic as others take the "scenic route" to also enjoy the colors.  Be aware that it is often freezing temperatures that trigger the dramatic changes in leaf color, so don't be surprised if you encounter very cold nights, especially at higher elevations.

Fall doesn't usually deliver the freezing temperatures of winter, but Mother Nature may choose to surprise you, so be prepared.  I remember a "Fall Encampment" I did with with one of my sons in Boy Scouts when it dipped to 24° overnight.  The next day it stayed pretty cold and we even got some snow.  The California boys were totally unprepared for temperatures that cold and took turns warming their hands and other body parts in front of the fireplace in the lodge.  Make sure the furnace in your RV is in good working order and that you have sufficient propane and battery power to keep it going.  If you're tent camping, bring along your tent heater and/or your cold weather sleeping bags -- or an extra set of sleeping bags in case you need to double up to keep warm.  And, of course, bring along plenty of firewood!  Campfires are always nice but are REALLY nice in colder weather!

Fall weather is usually more volatile than summer weather.  It might be beautiful when you leave home, but that can change rapidly, so be sure to check the forecast before you leave home and then monitor the weather during your outing.  A NOAA weather radio is one of the best ways to monitor regional weather but just listening to local radio stations may be useful. And, of course, keep an eye on the sky and check with local rangers or fellow campers familiar with the area to know what to expect for local conditions.  Remember, mountains, which are often a first choice of campers, often generate their own weather so what you see might not show up on regional forecasts.  While the weather seems to be rather fickle almost all year round, the fall variations tend to deliver  more unpleasant surprises than spring and summer. 

Camping facilities, especially Forest Service and other government run campgrounds, may begin to shut down as winter approaches.  Sometimes that means they are completely closed.  Other times they may have already shut off the water to faucets and bathrooms, but the camp sites ares still open to those who come prepared to do without an on site water source.  Commercial venues are less likely to shut down but you may still encounter some reduction in services so always check ahead of time so you don't get surprised and have to forgo your planned activities or seek out a different destination.

If you are camping at a full hookup campground in an RV, be sure to bring along some heat tape to wrap your city water connection (hose and faucet) in case you encounter any freezing temperatures.  Often it is freezing overnight temperatures that trigger the magnificent change of leaf color that makes fall camping so much fun.  A heated water hose will solve part of the problem but you'll still need to protect the faucet itself with heat tape.  If you don't have heat tape, disconnect your hose from the faucet, drain it, and store it inside a protected cabinet each night.  If you leave it connected, the frost-free faucet can't drain and both your unheated hose and the faucet can freeze.  The faucet can still freeze if you use a heated hose.  If that happens YOU will be liable to the campground for the cost of repairing the freeze damaged faucet!  As you can imagine, they are not cheap and the labor to dig them up and replace them is not trivial, especially if the ground is frozen!  

When boondocking, make sure you have plenty of propane.  You're likely to use more for cooking and hot water as well as keeping the furnace going on colder nights.   You can get an "Extend-a-Stay" kit to connect an external propane tank to a motorhome to supply extra fuel for normal propane appliance, but since it supplies gas, it won't work for generators which tap into the liquid in the bottom of the fixed propane tank.  Night time temperatures can be surprisingly cold during fall weather. 

Cooler fall days are often a good time to hit the trails on your dirt bike, ATV, mountain bike, horse, or just hiking.  Moderate temperatures make for pleasant outings.  It is usually much easier to dress in layers to accommodate cooler weather than to try to stay cool when temperatures soar.  After all, there is only so much clothing you can remove when it gets too hot!

Fall is often hunting season in many parts of the country.  That can be a mixed blessing.  You may want to go camping to do some hunting, but if you are not a hunter, you may find yourself wandering around where they're likely to be shooting so you'll want to take appropriate precautions.  Wearing bright orange clothing is one way of distinguishing yourself from potential game but it is a better idea to avoid tramping around in popular hunting areas in the first place.  Most hunters are thoughtful and careful but there are always a few bad apples that spoil things for everyone else.  When I was growing up in Idaho a hunter was bragging in the barber shop that he "got off some sound shots but didn't hit anything".  When the barber asked him what he meant by "sound shots" he said "I heard a noise in the bushes and shot at it, but I didn't hit anything."  The barber proceeded to shave stripe down the middle of his head from front to back in a kind of reverse mohawk and when confronted by the hunter for what he did he defended his actions with a straight razor in his hand and said, in affect,"guys like you should be marked so everyone know who you are".  Other patrons in the shop quickly backed up the barber and the angry customer calmed down and departed without further incident.  Taking any shot without a clear view of the target -- and what's behind it -- is never a good idea.  Even if you're lucky and don't hit something you shouldn't (like a fellow hunter!), obstacles in the path of the arrow or even a bullet can deflect the shot so you miss your intended target and possible hit something you didn't intend to shoot.

Fall into fun!

Camp Clothing

The type of clothing you need for RVing, OHVing, camping, boating depends on the weather and type of activities you will be engaging in. Fortunately, an RV and even tent or car camping usually gives you enough room to have some latitude in your wardrobe. But the weight and space limitations, though generous compared to, say, hiking or back packing, are still limited and you need to make wise choices in order to be sufficiently prepared for various activities and weather conditions. For summer camping, don't forget your swimsuits. There may be opportunities to cool off in lakes and streams or visit water parks along the way.   Or just enjoy and old fashioned squirt gun fight.  It is also a good idea to keep at least one set of "work clothes" in case you need to do repairs on your vehicle or get involved in some kind of volunteer service project. I've seen travelers conscripted onto fire fighting crews during wildfires. Even some camp chores, like chopping wood, building fires, cleaning out the fire pit, or just taking out the trash might warrant wearing work clothes. Keep in mind just about any kind of camping and associated activities are going to be more demanding than your normal day-to-day lifestyle, so choose clothing that is durable and comfortable. Warm weather may suggest shorts and tank tops, but you'll actually be more comfortable -- and safer from sunburn and insects and, believe it or not, cooler  -- if you wear loose fitting long sleeved shirts and full length trousers. Even though they may be hotter in warm weather, dark jeans are usually better choices than khakis or other light colored items that will show dirt easily. Flowered prints and some bright colors may attract flying insects so if you find yourself the target of repeated air raids, consider changing into something less flamboyant. By the way, some perfumes, colognes, and after shave lotions also attract insects.  If you look or smell like a flower, you'll probably be the target of pollinating bugs!  And, yes, if you feel you are especially targeted by bugs, it might be true!  Some people give off a scent (usually undetectable to humans) that does attract insects.  Sometimes it is a function of diet or medications so, if you are one of those people, you might want to do some research to see what  you can do to mitigate your situation.

For OHV activities, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential (see previous post entitled Wear Appropriate Gear for details). For hiking, birdwatching, sightseeing, and similar activities, the clothing only need fit the weather -- and the wearer. Ill-fitting clothing can not only be uncomfortable and unattractive, it can often create unnecessary safety hazards. If rain is common where you're going, bring along a rain suit or at least a plastic poncho.  Plastic ponchos are inexpensive (I usually get mine at Dollar Tree) and take up only about as much room as a handkerchief.  If you plan for the climate and dress properly, you can be fairly comfortable in almost any kind of weather, but getting caught in the rain in ordinary summer clothes, even on a warm summer day, can be chilling, even to the point of dangerous hypothermia! Check the weather report before you go and frequently during your stay. There are inexpensive radios that operate on special NOAA weather channels that are very useful or just turn your vehicle radio on to a local station now and then. And keep an eye on the sky! No matter what the weatherman says, the sky will tell you what is really happening in your area right now! How often has the weatherman been right? You know, I suppose being a weatherman has certain advantages. Where else can you be wrong 70% of the time (or more!) and still keep your job? One of my favorite weather stories is the one about a fellow who called up his local radio station one December day to complain that he had just shoveled 18" of 10% chance off his driveway! Been there, done that, bought shirt, wore it out!

Organizing your wardrobe. In conjunction with picking your camping wardrobe you need to consider how you are going to organize -- what resources and how much room do you have? Simply packing a bunch of stuff in a cardboard box or a suitcase or duffle bag isn't going to make it very accessible and you might almost just as well leave it home. Note how much closet and drawer space you have in your RV -- or how much room you have in your suitcase, backpack, or duffle bag for tent camping. Store things in a logical manner so you can easily find what you need when you need it. Then adjust your wardrobe selections accordingly. That really warm, fluffy ski jacket may be very appealing as a backup for hiking in cold weather, but if it won't fit in your backpack, it has to go. RV closets are usually limited. There are some gadgets promoted to increase closet space. They don't really, but they may help you organize things to make better use of the space you have. Check out some of the hangers that hang multiple items (shirts, blouses, sweaters, etc) in a cascading fashion. This configuration takes up little room on the closet rod and makes pretty efficient use of the space below. Instead of cramming six shirts or blouses right next to each other and using up valuable rod space, they hang slightly below each other, taking advantage of otherwise wasted space beneath the bottom of shirts hung individually.  There can be many uses for a fabric back-of-the-door shoe other that storing shoes in the pockets.  It can be a good way to corral things like shampoo bottles and other bulky toiletries.   A couple of useful tricks for RV closets: 1) use plastic storage tubs in the bottom of the closet, in other cabinets, on shelves, or under the bed or dinette if your RV is short on drawer space. 2) use car-wash size sponges above the closet rod to prevent the hangers from bouncing off. Some RV closets use special hangers that attach securely to the rod. If you have one of these, you probably don't need the sponges, unless you are adding ordinary hangers. If the hangers aren't somehow controlled, any good bump is going to bounce them off the rod and you'll open the door to find everything in a pile on the closet floor, very effectively negating any benefits of hanging them in the closet. When tent camping, using several small bags or plastic tubs instead of one big one may make it easier to find things.  I learned to pack clothing in a duffle bag in basic training in the U.S. Army and the techniques are applicable to suitcases too and can do a remarkable job of keeping things orderly and wrinkle free.  One cool trick is to turn suit coats and similar garments inside-out, tucking the top of the sleeves back into the shoulders and folding them in on themselves

Some general guidelines. Use the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple Stupid! Unless you have extraordinary activities to attend (like a wedding or other formal affair), a simple wardrobe is best. Choose versatile items that can be easily combined to create various ensembles. Choose items that are easy to care for. Jeans are always a good bet for most camping trips. They're sturdy, comfortable, and easy to take care of. Also include items that will allow you to create layers for warmth if the temperature drops. You probably don't need your snow suits and ski gloves for summer outings in most parts of the country but bringing along a sweater, sweat shirt, and jacket is always a good idea. Summer nights can be surprisingly cool in desert and forest campgrounds. And don't forget dry socks, extra shoes, and extra underwear. Appropriate hats are almost always good to have. In hot summer weather they provide much needed shade and protection from the sun. In winter weather, they will help keep you warm. My grandmother used so say "If your feet are cold, put on your hat!" And guess what? It works! You can lose as much as 90% of your body heat through your head and a good hat can help keep it from escaping. Plastic ponchos are inexpensive and take up little room while providing pretty good protection against sudden rain. Keep one in your fanny pack or pocket.  I keep one in my dirt bike tool kit too.

About those snowsuits. If you are doing any winter camping and your activities include skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing, you will definitely want to dress warm. Likewise if you ride your dirt bikes or ATVs in cold weather or are participating in some other snowy fun. Clothing that is comfortable when standing around camp may not provide adequate protection against the wind chill factor introduced by sliding down steep slopes or speeding along on a snowmobile. Interestingly enough though, you should feel a little cool (not chilled) just standing around if you are going to be involved in activities that will cause you to warm up. Even riding a dirt bike, ATV, or snowmobile, can be strenuous enough to make you sweat even in cold weather. Some areas are prone to freezing rain during winter storms. If you are in such an area, make sure your snowsuits are at least water repellent if not waterproof or wear a rain suit or poncho. Winter gear designed for snow will not necessarily protect you against rain or melted snow, even though it may protect you against snow and extremely low temperatures -- as long as you keep it dry. Once it gets wet, you're going to get cold, perhaps lethally so. Best to dress in layers so you can easily adjust as you -- or the outside air temperature -- changes. Be prepared for wet weather with rain suits, ponchos, or other water resistant or water proof clothing. Or be smart enough to get in out of the rain if you have to! If you do get wet, retreat to your tent or RV as soon as possible and get out of your wet clothes and into dry ones. Arrange your wet clothing where it will dry, taking care not to get it too close to fires or heaters. If you run out of dry clothes, hang the wet ones up to dry and crawl into your bed or sleeping bag or wrap up in a blanket until you have dry clothes to put on. Never sit around in wet clothes!  It is an invitation to hypothermia and other distressing conditions.

An unexpected winter danger: dehydration. We're all pretty much aware of the dangers of becoming dehydrated in hot weather as the sweat drips off our bodies but did you know you sweat in cold weather too? And, of course, you lose moisture through simply breathing. Those little clouds of breath are your vital body fluids wisping away into the cold air. If you are involved in any kind of physical activities, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, chopping wood, etc you are likely to sweat under your warm clothing. This presents two dangers: dehydration and hypothermia. Dehydration happens when you lose too much of your body fluids, mostly water, through sweat and breathing. Loss of body fluids can be compensated for by drinking sufficient water and electrolytes. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below normal. This is a very dangerous situation and if not treated quickly, can be fatal. To guard against hypothermia you must be aware of how much you are sweating and the effect it is having on the ability of your clothing to retain body heat. You may need to shed some outer layers or open zippers during strenuous activities to avoid excessive sweating and moisture buildup. If your inner clothing gets sweaty and damp, change it for dry clothing before you become chilled.

Technology aids: modern technology gives us many ways to increase our level of comfort in extreme weather conditions. A simple aid to keeping cool in very hot weather is a spray bottle. A cool spritz of water now and then supplements our own sweat, reduces skin temperature, and makes us feel more comfortable. For cold weather, there are battery operated socks and gloves to help keep our extremities from freezing. Also consider the "Hot Hands" heating pads. These are chemical-based heating pads that, when exposed to air, create heat. One of these tucked into each glove -- or in each boot -- work wonders to keep the chill off. There are larger "body pads" for use under your shirt too. These are also a good way to help warm someone suffering from hypothermia. Tuck one in each armpit, one on the inside of each upper thigh, and one on the inside of each ankle. One on either side of the neck also helps warm the blood (and therefore vital organs). Well-insulated pants and coats together with thermal underwear will generally provide sufficient protection against the cold except in really extreme conditions, such as north of the Arctic circle! But you probably won't be doing a lot of winter RVing or camping there. For cold weather dirt biking, I found wearing a "Windchill" jersey under my Enduro jacket and "Windchill" gloves a lot more comfortable than ordinary jerseys and gloves and they kept us warm without the bulkiness of multiple layers of thermal underwear and sweatshirts. Thick motocross socks inside my riding boots kept my toes from freezing. Plain old "long johns" are always a good foundation for just about any cold weather activities, but are sometimes kind of bulky. Even a pair of women's panty hose will help keep anyone's legs and bottom a little bit warmer as well as being a guard against the chafing known as "monkey butt" from straddling a saddle or seat . Interestingly enough, they can be worn comfortably in hot weather without much discomfort too. If you will be involved in outdoor activities in cold weather, check out the "systems" of insulating underwear and socks available these days. Technology has given us light weight fabrics that have extraordinary thermal properties. There are various options for different layers of socks and underwear, depending on your level of activity and personal body heat parameters.  Some materials, such as wool, retain their insulating properties even when wet.  Some new synthetics are specially designed to wick perspiration away from your skin.  Proper layering of socks can help prevent blisters as well as keeping your feet warm.

Your head has a surprisingly dis-proportionate effect on body temperature. In cold weather you can lose up to 90% of your body heat through your head, so wear a warm hat. In hot weather, keeping your head cool can help regulate your whole body temperature. Over-exposing your head to the sun will make you much hotter, so wear a light weight, broad-brimmed hat to protect your skin from sunburn and help keep you cool. Blood vessels in the neck are fairly close to the surface, so keeping your neck cool (or warm) helps cool (or warm) your blood and keep your whole body more comfortable.  My favorite cold weather hat is a Russian "ushanka" (which means "ear hat").  These are often furry and have large flaps that cover your ears and part of your cheeks and pretty far down your neck.  They are VERY good for cold weather.  My favorite summer hat is a wide-brimmed straw hat.  They shade my face and eyes and can be easily soaked with water for extra cooling.

Extremities are difficult to keep warm in cold weather. Fingers, toes, ears and nose can quickly become uncomfortably cool or even frozen if not adequately protected. Mittens will keep your fingers warmer than gloves, but you sacrifice some dexterity. Chemical heat pads can be used to warm your fingers and toes. Even a thin nylon face mask will provide a surprising amount of protection for your nose, cheeks, and chin. A nice thick fleece or knit mask will do even better. Feet will require warm socks and, if possible, insulated boots. And keep everything dry! Wet clothing will cause you to loose your body heat something like 25 times faster than dry.  Your extremities get cold quicker because your body naturally begins shutting down blood flow to preserve your core temperature where your organs are, which is critical to survival.  Exercising your fingers and toes can help stimulate blood flow and help keep them warmer.  Things like clapping your hands or stomping your feet may also help.  Avoid tight-fitting gloves or footwear as that restricts circulation and speeds cooling.

Proper clothing for cooking. For the most part you probably don't need any special clothing for cooking. However, you might find an apron a good addition to protect your regular clothing. BBQ aprons are usually heavy enough to provide some protection against errant embers in addition to shielding you clothing from grease, smoke, and spills. A toque (chef's hat) is probably going overboard, but it might be fun and a nice gesture if you are preparing food for a large group and it will help keep your hair under control and out of your food. An inexpensive and compact alternate solution is a hair net. You may look kind of funny, but your guests will appreciate not having your hair in their food. A "do rag" or bandanna tied around your head is another way keep your hair under control when cooking.  No one wants your hair in their food and it is unlikely that you want food in your hair!

Night wear is seldom give any special consideration when camping. A lot of people just sleep in their clothes but, to be more comfortable, for the most part you will want to try to dress (or undress) for sleeping the same as you do at home to maintain as much familiarity and comfort as possible in order to sleep well. However, in extreme temperatures you may have to make some adjustments. If you find you are always cold in your RV bed or sleeping in your tent, look into warmer bedding or consider wearing warm pajamas, maybe even ones with feet. You might try putting on some clean dry socks at bedtime unless you're one of those people who feel claustrophobic if your feet are confined.  Wearing the same socks to bed you've been wearing all day will make your feet cold as the moisture in them evaporates.  On very hot nights you may want to reduce the amount of clothing you wear to bed and even then you may need to start out sleeping on top of your bedding or sleeping bag. Of course, the degree of privacy you have in your tent or RV may affect what you wear to bed and whether you can sleep outside the covers.  Overnight temperatures can often drop significantly so keep your regular blankets etc near by for when it cools down.  When hiking you may not want to sacrifice valuable pack space to carry pajamas.  If so, you'll have to make adjustments to your nighttime routine.  If you do sleep in your clothes, empty your pockets before you go to bed.  Sleeping  on your wallet, cell phone, or keys and be very painful by morning.  I once fell asleep in a lounge chair, sitting on my wallet.  When I awoke my leg had gone so numb my knee buckled when I tried to walk.  It took several hours to completely recover.

For basic camping, jeans, a long sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes are a recommended starting place.  Always bring plenty of extra socks and underwear.  You might think a T-shirt will be cooler in warm weather than long sleeved shirt.  That is not always the case.  A T-shirt leaves your arms exposed to direct sunlight.  Think about how Bedouins and other desert nomads dress.  They wear loose robes that shade them from the sun and allow perspiration to evaporate to keep them cool.  Long sleeved shirts also help protect your arms from noxious plants like stinging nettle and poison ivy.

For boating you might want to choose swimwear if you are going to be in and our of the water regularly.  However, if you don't plan on going in the water you would be most comfortable if you dress in a  loose-fitting, light weight long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your arms and legs from excess sunlight while allowing enough ventilation to help evaporate perspiration to keep you cool.

Dress well!

Useful Electronic Devices When Camping

Why would anyone want to use electronic devices when camping?  Aren't camping and other outdoor activities a way to escape our dependence on electronic devices?  Absolutely!  Yet there may be times, if we are carefully selective, when electronic devices may actually enhance our fun.  Teenagers today are highly connected to their electronic devices and would likely consider total disconnection to be cruel and unusual punishment.  While learning to live without them has its character-building advantages, being able to accommodate their occasional wants and needs may make a trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Our modern world is highly dependent on electronic devices.  We rely on our computers, cell phones, GPSs and (at least for teens and wannabe teens) hand-held video games.  While we often go camping to escape some of the electronic tethers that tend to control our lives, there are also times we will want or even need to use them.  All of these are marvelous inventions that provide wonderful capabilities, but they also require support, most importantly power and often cell tower or Internet access.  Both electrical power and cell tower or Internet access are often scarce in a camping environment.  If you are car camping or in an RV you should have ready access to 12-volt battery power.  Many RVs also have 120-volt generators. Inverters can convert 12 volt DC power from the battery in your car or RV to 120 volt power to run electronic gadgets.  If you take your portable devices with you out on the trails, you may need to bring along some kind of auxiliary battery or charger to recharge them.  Solar chargers are especially well-suited for camping and other off road endeavors.

One of the most useful devices for campers is a GPS system or a cell phone with GPS.  Being able to get turn-by-turn directions to where you’re going saves a lot of unintended detours and can avoid a lot of bad roads, traffic, and construction.  Some GPS systems are even appropriate for off-road use, tracking your exact route and allowing you to reverse the route to get back to camp should you get disoriented or encounter poor visibility that would prevent you from using landmarks to find your way back.   The digital camera on most modern cell phones can be an invaluable aid if you have to make repairs in the field.  Take a picture of things BEFORE you take them apart so you have a good reference for how they go back together.

CB radios and FMRS/GMRS walkie talkies can provide excellent short-range communications between vehicles in a convoy or between riders or hikers out on a trail.   FMRS radios do not require a license.  GMRS radios have some higher output channels that give you greater range but do require an FCC license.  Some of the FMRS/GMRS channels overlap CB channels so you can use your CB base station in camp to monitor communications among members of your group out on the trail. That might be particularly important if someone needs assistance, such as mechanical problems or a medical emergency.  HAM radios can give you greater range, especially if you can make use of  "repeaters" operated by Ham Radio Clubs or other organizations in the area.  HAM signals sometimes take advantage of "skip" to reach far distant stations.  That means you might be able to reach someone on the other side of the country but not someone behind the next hill!

We have successfully used inexpensive walkie-talkies to communicate between riders on dirt bike rides.  We just pack the radios in a pocket of the Cambelbak hydration packs we're already wearing.  Headsets with microphones and either voice activated or push-to-talk switches let use use them without taking them out or even removing our helmets.  There are also really nice helmet mounted communication systems that work very well but they tend to be a bit more expensive than common walkie-talkies, like about 10 times the cost!

 

For many years portable radios have provided information and entertainment in campgrounds and on the trail.  A popular option is a pocket size transistor radio.  Some of them even have FM steror sound and the often fit in your pocket!  Portable cassette and CD players provide even more options.  Just make sure you bring extra batteries or have a way to recharge your equipment.  Solar chargers are especially appealing to tent campers but even RVers can put them to good use.   They can be used to obtain important weather reports that might affect your outing as well as providing entertainment and background music for some activities.  NOAA weather radios are particularly good for this.

Laptops, tablets, and smart phones give us highly portable computer power we can use almost anywhere we go.  If you happen to be within range of a cell tower, you may even be able to access the Internet from your phone or tablet.  That can be helpful if you need help with an emergency repair or just to look up some bit of information relevant to your situation.  And, if you really need an electronic "fix" for your gaming or movie addiction, you might be able to accommodate even that.  We have taken advantage of the hot spot on our cell phones to power Internet to bring Roku to the TV in our RV, giving us almost ulimited movies and TV shows to escape bad weather in camp.

Portable electronic devices depend on reliable battery power.  Hand-held CBs and walkie talkies may have rechargeable or replaceable batteries.  You can usually remove rechargeable battery packs and replace them with ordinary batteries in a  pinch.  Always carry a good supply of replacement batteries for all your hand-held devices.  Cell phones and GPSs usually have only rechargeable batteries so you will need a way to recharge them in camp.  Many such devices these days use a USB charge cable that can be connected to a computer or 12-volt or 120-volt charger.  12-volt chargers plug into the cigarette lighter or 12-volt power receptacle on your vehicle or battery power pack.  You can purchase pocket-sized auxiliary battery packs with USB connectors to recharge most GPSs, cell phones, etc if you need or want to carry extra power with you out on the trail.  In camp you can use the 12-volt charger plugged into your vehicle.  We have noticed that our cell phones charge faster using the 120-volt wall charger than with the 12-volt car charger so we usually use a small inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter to power the wall charger to charge our portable devices.   One advantage to the car chargers are that they are fairly inexpensive.  You can even get them at Dollar Tree, along with standard sync cables for Android phones (Lighting cables for iPhones are harder to find and more expensive).  Be aware that although the car chargers may look the same they may not always act the same and deliver the same performance as the OEM chargers from your phone manufacturer.  In some cases, using an unapproved charger may even void your warranty!  However, in my experience, the only problems I have encountered have more to do with reliability and longevity and a longer charging time.  I have also discovered that all 12-volt chargers usually take longer to charge my phone than a wall charger.  So we usually use a small inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car and then run the wall charger off that instead of using a 12-volt charger. 

Using high-quality replaceable batteries will usually give you the best performance and they will usually last longer than cheaper batteries.  Alkaline batteries are usually better than standard batteries and newer lithium ion batteries can deliver even better performance, but in each case you pay for what you get.  Because my backup batteries often sit around in my camp kit or motorhome for some time before getting used I tend to avoid stocking up on high priced batteries that may be dead by the time I need them.  Instead, I stock up on inexpensive batteries at Dollar Tree or get them on coupon sales at Harbor Freight so I always have plenty on hand for each trip.

Portable power packs (rechargeable batteries) can be used to power or recharge cell phones and other small hand-held devices on the go.  A attractive alternative that provides free power (once you pay for the charger!) is a solar battery charger.  These use solar panels to charge your batteries using only sunlight.  The only problems I’ve found with them are that 1) they tend to be a little pricey and 2) the are usually somewhat awkward to carry conveniently when hiking or trail riding.  However, both the cost and the effort to bring them along may be well worth it to be able to recharge your devices in remote areas.  Portable solar chargers that are small enough to be carried with you are becoming fairly affordable and can mean the difference between using your cell phone or simply cursing it!  For many years I used a small solar charger that plugged into the cigarette lighter and sat on the dashboard to add a little extra power to my vehicle batteries in camp.  It wouldn't recharge a dead battery but it acted liked a trickle charger to help keep batteries charged during daylight hours.  It was inexpensive (under $30) and very easy to use.

Because our excursions away from camp are usually measured in hours, not days, I don’t usually carry spare batteries with me out on the trail.  I just check batteries in radios and flashlights before each outing and replace any that are getting low before we take off.  If you are going to be back-packing or engaging in some other activity where you will be away from your base camp for more than a few hours you may want to carry spare batteries for your flashlights, lanterns, and your electronic devices.  Solar LED lanterns are becoming a viable option for remote camping.  Some even have USB  ports to charge your cell phones or other small electronic devices.  They are kind of the best of both worlds:  efficient portable light that can be recharged for free anywhere you have sunlight.  I wouldn’t recommend them for spelunking or cave diving!   Just remember to take them out of your tent and put them out in the sun every day to recharge.  LEDs low power demand means you get the most out of each charge.  I've seen an LED lantern still bright for months after being left on in the barn all night.  Do that with an ordinary incandescent type light and the battery would have been long dead way before morning!

While RV camping with 12 volt battery banks and 120 volt generators lends itself to the use of just about all the electronic (and electric) gadgets you have at home, tent campers may be able to avail themselves of many electronic opportunities.  With lots of battery powered devices and with modern portable generators now being smaller, quieter, and more affordable, even tent campers can enjoy a wide range of modern conveniences in camp.

Solar chargers, hand cranked chargers, and battery packs are available to recharge cell phones and other small USB devices out on the trail.  You will see USB charging ports built in to some solar lanterns and even propane powered stoves!

One more important aspect for using electronic devices when camping:  be thoughtful and courteous to your fellow campers.  Just because you like the sound turned up until you can feel the bass doing CPR on your chest doesn't mean the people around you will appreciate it!  Radios, CD players, and TVs are generally the worst offenders but sometimes people are lax about using noisy power tools around camp too, so think about where you are and what time it is and who or what other activities your use of electronic or electric devices is going to impact. We once had a bunch of teenagers roll into camp about 3:00 am with a stereo blasting at what had to be at least 1000 watts!  Fortunately, to their credit, a polite word with the resolved the problem.

Stay connected!

RVing, OHVing, Camping, and Boating Weather

Weather can play a significant role in whether our outdoor recreational outings are successful and enjoyable or an utter and complete failure.  The old adage about raining on someone's picnic has definite roots in historical reality.  I am sure most of us have had at least one picnic, BBQ, or camping trip spoiled or at least dampened by rain.  

Perfect weather for outdoor activities is not something you can easily define.  What is perfect for one activity or one group may not be perfect for another activity or group.  For example, most of us would prefer to have fairly calm days for our outdoor activities or maybe just a mild breeze to help keep us cooler and more comfortable.  But is you are going sailing, you will need more wind to move your sailcraft.  Most camping and off-roading is done in summer months and avoids snow and other cold, wet weather.  But, if you are going snowmobiling, ice fishing, or cross country skiing, you absolutely need cold, snowy weather.  Most off-road riding is done in clear, dry weather, but riding after a light rain helps reduce dust and increase traction.  Sometimes getting a light rain out on the trail can be refreshing -- as long as there isn't enough to get you soaked and you can dry out before getting hypothermia, which can be life threatening if not caught and treated soon enough.

Most of us would prefer to go RVing, OHVing, Camping, or Boating when the weather is good.  So what does good weather look like?  Well, in most cases you want clear skies and warm (not too hot) days (probably in the low70s F), with no precipitation.  However, if you are going snowmobiling or ice fishing, the ideal weather could be quite different!  If you are into sailing you need wind, something most of us would rather avoid for outdoor recreation.  We once encountered winds so strong on a dirt biking trip in the Mojave Desert that they literally blew bikes and riders over when they reached the top of a hill and got caught in a crosswind.  Definitely NOT ideal OHV riding conditions!  We usually avoided riding in rain or snow or even really hot weather.  A pretty good target for good outdoor recreation weather would be a clear, calm, day with temperatures in the low 70s F.  Lower temperatures will require you to dress warmer; hotter temps will demand cooling techniques.   Sailors will want to look for steady winds somewhere around 10-12 knots.  Lower winds don't provide enough energy to move boats comfortably;  higher winds can create dangerous situations out on the water.

Human beings are most comfortable in an environment around 70F - 72F.  However we are also quite adaptable.  We can usually dress up or down to accommodate slight variation in that temperature and still be relatively comfortable.  That being said, almost of us will plan and enjoy outdoor activities when we stick to reasonable weather ranges.  You probably don't need to make a lot of changes in your planned activities or your basic wardrobe as long as outside temperatures are in the 60-80F range.  Temperatures below 60F will require dressing warmer and when it gets above 80F you are going to want better ways of keeping cool, and may be forced to limit your activities to avoid hyperthermia (heat illness).  Swimming and other on-the-water activities are attractive pastimes for hot days and can help keep you cool.

The best weather may differ depending on what activities you are planning.  Normal camping where you mostly sit around and enjoy the scenery and ambiance is most comfortable in mild temperatures around 72F.  Water sports can be enjoyed during hotter weather.  OHV riding is usually adaptable to a wider range of temperatures, with cooler days being more comfortable than warmer ones.  Hiking or any other highly physical activity will thrive in cooler temperatures and become tedious and unpleasant as things warm up.  Light rain may or may not be an issue, depending on available canopies, enclosed vehicles, and good rain gear.  Heavy rain is almost always a deterrent to outdoor recreation.  Windy days can spoil your picnics and campfires and I've even seen winds strong enough to blow over dirt bikers when they topped a hill.  However, a certain amount of wind is good and even necessary if you are going sailing and light breezes are usually beneficial in camp and for camp fires.  A light breeze is welcome on warmer days.  Cloudy days can moderate temperatures but you may still be subjected to UV rays that can cause a sunburn and cloudy days can inhibit good lighting for photography.  If you are doing any winter activities (skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, etc) you will need near or below freezing temperatures and snowy conditions.

Keep in mind the weather when you arrive at your destination could be very different that the weather around your house when you leave home.  We often deliberately drive several hours to a different climate so be sure to check the weather at your destination before you leave home.   Mountain campgrounds are a frequent choice of campers.  Be aware that many large mountains can create their own localized weather that might not show up in a regional forecast, so check with someone who knows the area before you go.  That might include rangers, law enforcement, merchants, and fellow campers who have been there before.  I once worked a summer job at a mountain resort and we got rain at about 1:00 almost every day, regardless of what was in the regional forecast.  You could almost set your watch by it!

There are several good resources available to you to predict and monitor the weather.  These days most of us rely heavily on electronic devices to provide us with information.  Internet weather service usually provide a good idea of what is going to happen.  NOAA radios give you regular updates just about where ever you might be.  You can get local AM and FM radio stations on your car or portable radios.  Another good source for local weather information is the sky.  Unfortunately, a lot of us mostly city-dwellers have never learned how to read the sky for clues about the weather but you can learn basics from the how to read the sky link.  There are also handy guides to wind strength you can use to judge velocity based on what you can see around you.  Here is a link to chart for Estimating Wind Speeds With Visual Clues. You can also purchase portable weather stations you can use just about anywhere to monitor temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and even precipitation.  Some aids don't require electronics.  Even airplane pilots still use wind socks to monitor wind direction and strength and a small one hanging in your camp and do the same for you.

One of my favorite weather station stories is about the weather string or rope, a very simple device but it is surprisingly accurate. If you can see it, the sun (or moon) is shining.  If you can't see it, it is either dark outside or a strong wind blew it away.  If it is moving it is windy--and you can actually get a good idea how hard the wind is blowing and which direction.  If it is wet it is raining.  If is it blurry there is fog.  If it is frozen it is cold outside.  Tried to link the image below to the etsy.com page where you could buy one, but it didn't work.  If you want one do an online search for "redneck weather rope" and you should get several affordable options.  Or, if you are crafty, make your own!

 

                                            

Sometimes you may want to alter your plans if the weather is not suitable.  Having a comfortable RV or tent where you can escape unpleasant weather is nice.  If the weather gets too bad for your accommodations you might need to head home or seek better shelter.  Other times you may only need to adjust your wardrobe.  In any case, it always behooves you to check the weather where you are going before you get there!

Happy forecasting!

Getting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) When You Need It When Camping or Boating

We are so very fortunate to have highly qualified Emergency Medical Services readily available to us most of the time.  However, the further you go off grid in your recreational pursuits, the harder it will be contact them and the longer it will take for them to get to you -- if they can even find you!  One of the most frustrating things I experience as a volunteer firefighter is not having good information about the nature of an incident and where it is.  Our designated coverage area includes many miles of highway, forest, river, and lots of campgrounds.  Fortunately modern cell phones with GPS can sometimes be used to locate a caller and hopefully they are near where help is needed.  I've even seen them used to track lost hikers and guide rescuers right to them!  But I have also seen situations where the GPS we got was far from the site of an accident along the highway.  Callers often have to go some distance to get a signal and not all pieces of electronic equipment are equally accurate.   If your pursuits take you into remote areas and many of our outdoor activities like hiking, camping, OHV riding, horseback riding do, it will be even harder for EMS personnel to reach you or even find you!  In some locations you will find it hard to even get a signal to make that most important 911 call.  It behooves you to know how to contact emergency medical services and how to help them find you!

As a volunteer firefighter and EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) I am acutely aware of the dangers lurking in outdoor recreational activities and the difficulty involved in getting emergency help when needed.  Too often our response is delayed by incomplete or inaccurate information about the situation -- or by how long it takes for someone to finally make the call.  Sometimes delays are unavoidable, e.g., the caller must travel some distance before they get cell service.  But sometimes people just wait too long before reaching out for help.  My advice, is always call sooner rather than later.  First responders would rather go on a dozen calls where they might not even be needed than have someone suffer or even die because they weren't called soon enough.   When participating in outdoor recreational pursuits, especially when going off road or off grid, plan ahead for how you will respond to an emergency if someone becomes sick or injured and needs medical attention.  Know where you will have to go to get cell phone service or obtain other assistance.  In some remote locations you may have to go to a ranger station to get help.  Sometime you can get cell service by going to the top of a hill or driving back closer to the nearest town.  Know where you have to go to get a signal so you don't waste critical time searching for one.  Seconds count in a life-threatening emergency!

Off shore boaters may be able to avail themselves of assistance from the Coast Guard, but sailors on inland waters may have to rely on park rangers and other local emergency response services.  Navigable lakes and rivers are often some distance from the bases from which emergency services operate and not all emergency service departments have boats to respond to marine emergencies.  Boaters often need to return to the dock or shore to meet emergency responders.

Campers, RVers, OHVers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts often find themselves a long way from towns that have Emergency Medical Services.  Unfortunately, the kinds of activities we are often involved in increase the chances that we will need EMS.  Riding OHVs, working around campfires, maneuvering RVs and trailers, operating boats, rock climbing, and even just hiking can expose us to injuries we would not encounter at home.  At home it is pretty easy to dial "911" and get a quick response to get the help we need.  And then the time to reach the Emergency Room is usually pretty quick.  When we are out and about we may not have ready access to cell towers to even make the "911"call and once we do it will probably take some time for EMS resources to reach us, even if we give them good directions to our location.   Then it may take along time to transport the patient to an Emergency Room for treatment.  Thus it behooves us to make sure we know where to go to be able to make a call and how to help EMS find us.  Our rural fire department frequently makes use of Life Flight helicopters because we are 45-60 minutes away from any hospital.  In our area we have an insurance plane called FireMed that covers ambulance services and their premium service covers Life Flight.  You may want to obtain similar insurance in case you need efficient transport to the nearest medical facilities.

Today we all rely heavily on cell phones for basic communication.  The good news is that cell phones often have service in areas where there were never any land lines.  The bad news is that there aren't always cell towers near enough our outdoor activities to get service.Knowing where you have to go to get cell service just might mean the difference between life and death for an injured person.  Alternatives to cell phones might include CB and HAM radios that don't rely on cell towers.  Sometimes you can reach someone on the radio who has access to a telephone and can make that all important 911 call for you.  So, having and knowing how to use personal two-way radios could be a great advantage in an emergency.  CB channel 9 is the emergency channel but it is not as commonly monitored as it once was.  CB channel 13 is the unofficial RV channel.  However, the channel most commonly used by truckers is channel 19 and it has the best antenna efficiency so you might have better luck finding someone there.  You might be able to reach a trucker who is able to call 911 on his cell phone for you.  Be sure to give him the right information:  the nature of the emergency and the location, as correctly and concisely as possible.

Cell phone boosters are available that can extend the area of service for your cell phone, turning weak signals into usable signals.  Unfortunately they can't create a signal where there is none.  Cell phone boosters are kind of pricey, but you might find it worth the investment.  If you have anyone in your group that has any special medical conditions that might require fast emergency response, a cell phone booster might be a good investment.

Unfortunately, we face both higher chances of mishaps and slower EMS response times when we are camping or involved in other outdoor recreational pursuits.   Therefore we must be prepared so we can do our best to care for ill or injured companions and to expedite getting help for them when needed.  We can prepare ourselves to be able to care for sick or injured companions through basic and advanced first aid training, as frequently mentioned in this blog.  But we should also take steps to ensure we can expedite reaching EMS services and helping them to reach us.

There are a few things you can do to be better prepared if you do need to call EMS in a remote location.  First of all, I suggest you keep an eye on your cell phone reception as you approach your campground so you know where to go if you need to make an emergency call.  When boating, check your cell signal as you leave the dock.  Sometimes emergency calls can be made in fringe areas with weak signals, but just to be sure, know where you can get cell coverage when you need it.  Getting up on a hill top can sometimes help as it may get you above obstacles that would block the line-of-sight radio signals from the cell tower but if that isn't enough you should know how far back down the road you need to go to get cell service so you don't waste time searching for a signal, especially if you operate in waters.  Sometimes a cell phone booster in your vehicle and amplify cell signals in outlying areas.  Such systems typically cost several hundred dollars and will only work to boots weak signals, not get you a signal when there is none.  If you REALLY need remote access at all times you might consider a satellite phone, but those are still quite expensive to purchase and to operate.  Boaters may want to consider marine-band radios to expedite requests for emergency services, especially if you operate in waters under Coast Guard jurisdiction.    Land lubbers and boaters on inland waters may benefit from ham radios or even CB radios in some places.

Next, be prepared to provide accurate and concise directions so the 911 or other emergency response operator/dispatcher can tell the EMS team how to find you.   If you are in a developed campground, the name of the campground and your site identification should be sufficient to locate you.  However,  if you are in a dispersed camping area or out on a trail without clear landmarks to aid the EMS teams to find you, give the "911" operator the very best directions and distances you can.  You might be able to get geographic coordinates of your position from your cell phone or GPS and that would be helpful to emergency personnel trying to locate you.  If possible send someone down to an identifiable road or intersection to flag down the EMS vehicles and guide them to your location.  Be sure to give them a good description of your vehicle, tent, or other distinguishing characteristics of your camp site.  When boating always carry appropriate warning devices such as distress flags and flares.  Flares may be good for getting attention but are by nature, short lived.  Distress flags can be displayed throughout an emergency to alert other boaters to your need and guide  potential rescuers to you.

When you call "911" do your best to remain calm.  Think about what you need to tell them:  the nature of the injury or illness, when it happened or started, the age and gender of of the patient, and precise instructions for where you are and how to find you.  Also share any special circumstances, such as pre-existing conditions or physical disabilities your patient may have as that can have implications for responders.  You will probably we worried, frightened, excited, possibly somewhat flummoxed.  The hysterical reports 911 operators sometimes receive can be difficult to understand and can delay getting the response you need.   Try to be as calm and collected as possible so you can help them get you the help you need as quickly as possible.   Be prepared to listen to the instructions you are given by the 911 operator and carry them out exactly as given.  They are trained to provide proper directions for how you can best assist your patient until help arrives and help the EMS team get there as quickly as possible.  Be sure you understand the instructions you receive.  There is the story (fictional I hope!) about a hunter who calls 911 because his hunting buddy is was shot and he thought he was dead.  The 911 operator told him they should first make sure he was dead.  There was a short silence followed by a gun shot, then the hunter replied, Yes, I am sure he is dead!  I'm sure that wasn't what the 911 operator intended!  911 operators can often provide you with important, even life-saving, instructions.  Be prepared to do what you can until emergency services get there.

In some cases it may be beneficial to provide a signal to aid incoming responders.  In the day time that might consists of a brightly colored flag raised to where it can be easily seen from nearby access roads.  Or you might build a signal fire and load it up with green branches or leaves to create a column of smoke.  At night a large signal fire or flashing vehicle lights or flashlights can be helpful to responders who are trying to find you.  If you use a signal, be sure to let the "911" operator know what you are using so they can pass it along to the response team.  Just having someone stand where they can be seen from the road and jumping up and down and waving their arms can help rescuers find you.  Boaters will need to display distress flags or flares.  Aerial flares can be seen from a long distance but are fairly short lived.  Hand held flares can only be seen line of sight but usually burn for several minutes to help approaching responders to identify and locate you.  Displaying a proper distress flag throughout the duration of an emergency should be standard procedure.  Having someone keep an eye out for approaching responders and waving a bright colored flag (or shirt or jacket) to attract attention may be helpful.

Once you have called "911" stay with the patient at the location you gave the operator unless being there puts you and/or your patient in immediate danger.  If you must move, either notify the 911 operator, leave someone to tell EMS where you have gone, or keep your original location in sight.  It is usually best not to try to move an injured person before help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.  Comply with all instructions you receive from the 911 operator to the best of your ability.

If you frequently visit places with little or no cell phone reception you might want to explore the options for boosting your cell signal.   Cell phone signal boosters are not cheap (several hundred dollars) but it still might be a good investment if you are often outside normal cell range.  If you or anyone in your regular group has been diagnosed with medical conditions that might make getting EMS help quickly a necessity, a cell phone booster may be well worth the cost.  Satellite phones are not dependent on cell towers and, since the transceivers for them are orbiting miles above the earth, they are usually not affected by mountains either.  Satellite phones are, however, still pretty darned expensive.  Phones start around $599 and can go up to thousands of dollars.  Plans start around $70 a month for 70 minutes of talk time.  You probably wouldn't want to use it for casual calls but it could be life saving to have those 70 minutes in a remote location.  Anyone with a high risk medical history or involved in high risk activities in remote locations should seriously consider getting a satellite phone for emergency use. If you have both high risk conditions and are involved in high risk activities you should probably consider a satellite phone as essential!

Another option for high risk situations is to carry a personal locator beacon.  A personal locator beacon, or PLB for short, is a personal electronic transmitting device that is designed to alert potential rescuers to a life-threatening situation in the air, on water or in remote areas.  They typically start a little north of  $200.  Higher priced units have more features.  All PLBs must be registered (free of charge) in the NOAA SARSAT (Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking) database to become active.  Once triggered during an emergency, the unit sends an SOS that alerts rescue teams to your exact location and tells them it is an emergency, likely life-threatening, situation.  PLBs don't require a monthly subscription.  Since you only turn them on when you need to send an SOS the batteries last a long time, up to 5 years.  When batteries need to be replaced the unit must be returned to the manufacturer for replacement.  Batteries should also be replaced after a unit has been activated.  I have heard that most manufacturers will give you a new unit if you have to activate one for a life-saving rescue.  Boaters sometimes use an Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), but they are quite a bit bigger and more expensive than PLBs and are usually only found on larger boats used in off-shore cruises.

Of course another option is for you -- or someone in your group -- to get certified in Emergency Medical procedures.   Even if EMS can reach you fairly quickly, having proper training can be useful until they get there.  Being able to provide appropriate immediate assistance can significantly reduce suffering and minimize complications. Sometimes it is even life saving!  If EMS personnel are far distant or delayed it is even more important for you to have qualified help with you.  Throughout my off road career I have endeavored to maintain first aid and CPR certification and more recently have obtained certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).  An EMR is the first level of EMS and historically was called first responder.  If you are involved in any kind of outdoor activities where serious injuries may occur you should know how to recognize and treat life threatening bleeding and to be able to identify and splint broken bones.  Those skills could well be life saving!  EMR training does not require the hundred of hours you need to become an EMT or paramedic, but it does give you the skills you need to provide appropriate treatment until a higher level of medical support arrives and that will provide your patients a lot of comfort and may even be life saving.  I have never personally provided life saving treatment to a fellow off roader but I have splinted broken bones and prepared patients for transport and am thankful I have the training to recognize and respond to life threatening situations if necessary.

Get the help you need help when you need it!