Ex Siren Movie Memorabilia, Signed Photographs and More

Screen Sirens

RV Lifestyles: Staying Safe on Remote Camps

Considering several shocking occurrences in the Australian outback over the years recent, it is hardly surprising that many people are easy to put the idea of camping in remote areas because they see in the media. With crime seemingly on the rise, the relative safety of bricks and mortar becomes ever more comforting.

Right or wrong, This perception of a potential danger in the lonely places can be difficult to shake loose, particularly for those with experience in outdoor limited. Realistically, then there is nothing we can do to make it more user-friendly remote campsites - at least in terms of security?

The answer is a resounding "yes", but before addressing the issue in detail, maybe we should make some attempt to regain our lost perspective.

Quite simply, crime and cities go together like bullets and dogs. This does not mean that there is no threat at all in regions rural, but the level of crime there is really, really low fares on major cities. After all, as any seasoned CRIM know, in picking the bush are insignificant compared to the unlimited opportunities of big smoke. The result is we are much safer, overall, the more we Travel beyond the suburbs.

Understandably, however, many travelers still prefer to stay in their comfort zone by limiting their stopovers in parks tourism, camping, or other 'safe' areas where like-minded business abounds. Despite the apparent wisdom of this approach is that really everything you want from your travels? Do you set limits so your outdoor experiences, not to mention your fun together?

Some campers apparently believe. To strengthen the confidence of the family, their strategy is to start in parks or campgrounds tourist trade, may move to national and parks, then some time later to find a private Shangri-La somewhere further.

Perhaps more importantly - and regardless of where you camp - your choice of outdoor life predetermines to some extent, your level of intrinsic safety. Sleeping in a tent, for example, develops rarely a sense of protection equal to that of a caravan, caravans and even, it could be argued, do not offer security across the horizon of a motorhome. Clearly then, decisions regarding your hosting outdoor May indirectly enjoyment long term.

That being the case, a caravan of small to medium camper or mobile home seems a reasonable compromise between Trifecta site security accessibility of the site, and lifestyle outdoors.

Indeed, "hard-wall RV options" have the additional advantage that the interference external "which would be immediately detected by the occupants, making the intrusion during the night, for example, highly unlikely. Well course, the added security is easy to install in the form of security screens on doors and windows, and additional padbolts Internal.

Incidentally, the evidence indicates a trend for travelers happy to inscribe their names on a wall outside their vehicle. Also welcoming it may be, it might be advisable, given the possibility of "undesirables" who asks for your name from the outside you or inviting children from opening the door to someone presumed to be a friend.

The same could be said for our natural inclination to help strangers along a highway off-track. Unfortunately, using the old "one-one-out 'principle requires closer examination today.

But back to the real question: For travelers who hope eventually to go beyond the crowds and costs of business parks and campgrounds, it is a question of how best to use out-of-the-way campsites or printing that prudence dictates extra gut is justified. And in most of these situations, rule number one is "Privacy is safety." Generally, any way.

First, choose a site far enough from the activity around and through traffic - or hidden by trees and bushes - So you do not invite unnecessary attention. Perhaps it goes without saying, but about five kilometers of a city or ten kilometers of a pub is better avoided.

Remember, too, it's a good idea to choose your overnight stop while there is still an hour or day. Find a place well back from the road, preferably along a siding for your camp is not obvious to motorists.

Choose a location before the night time also allows SUS surroundings (houses? Farms? Fences? Exit alternative?), And take a good look. Obvious signs of celebration, reckless driving or excessive pollution should prompt the decision to turn the page.

Yet another advantage the establishment of day is that cooking and other tasks can be removed from the highway, which means less need for lighting and stumbling about the site after dusk. Even so, it does not hurt to keep an eye (and ear) on the passing traffic. Slow down or returning vehicles should obtain your antennae twitching.

Invariably, these kinds of makeshift camps overnight, RV travelers choose to stay in fashion 'start'. No awning, camp chairs, no, no gear stored under the RV, no stabilization jacks - and generally facing the "exit". The next day, if feel more relaxed on the site, a stop longer could be considered.

Once camp is set and the sun sets, the most obvious ads Your presence is a campfire and various types of lighting camp. Keep in mind that if you can see the headlights of passing, it is likely that your Camplight and fire are visible. However, if your fire is small, low set in a trench away from the highways side "of your camp (selected by van or car), everything should be fine. To reassure himself, walking up the road and look back towards the camp.

Similarly, try to minimize side lighting, and keep curtains and blinds RV completely emptied. And even if an effective flashlight is essential Travel to bush, from light beams flashing through the trees is an instant gift.

Most often, however, all traffic but cease to come at night and you'll have the area for yourself. In the unlikely event someone does Firefox, stay calm. Be friendly - useful if necessary - but it is preferable not encourage them with calls to "share a beer by the fire." More than likely, it will be one of the pilgrims seeking the safety of others travelers.

Before retiring for the night, it is wise to walk your obligation to verify the fire is extinguished, the car locked, and no device has was left hanging.

Assuming everything pans and settle for a few days, he probably will need to lead to the nearest town for supplies. If yes, leave the campsite like the occupants are not far: Camp set up chairs, cups of coffee on the table, some cloth stretched on a line. Of course the caravan should be locked, with curtains drawn, and something of value for the inside or take with you. This is not a bad idea to leave a radio playing inside the van, either.

Not surprisingly, it was during night where campers nervous experience their greatest concerns. Fortunately, the best deterrents against the so-called troublemakers are also the simplest: light and sound. As security professionals we say, when the intruder feel compromised, their instinct is to get out of there - Fast. Down the road to find an easier target!

One way to do this is to rig some kind of lighting that can be activated from your bed, and a projector 12 volt or two does the job. Incidentally, outdoor lighting is more useful (and your own movements less obvious), if the internal lights remain switched off while you're peering into the darkness.

In addition to lighting Outside, we could consider some sort of noise making device. Compact personal alarms available to electronic shops (Dick Smith, Tandy) are inexpensive and effective. Mind you, it is embarrassing when you finally storms out of the RV, lights, sirens wailing, to be confronted a possum Cheeky! Chances are that all it ever will be.

On the other hand, if you prefer to take security more seriously camping, Here are some more possibilities to consider:

Dogs: the best means of security services around a traveler can obtain, but they cost money and maintenance. Parks and tourism - and all national parks - do not allow them.

Annunciator: These tiny, red lights flashing, usually installed inside a car to indicate there is an active alarm (even if there is not) can be mounted anywhere from 12 volts is available. Make them barely visible without being too obvious.

Strobe lights: The greatest value in a blue strobe light is the universal recognition - between good and bad - that the intrusion occurred. From this point of view they can be more effective than basic lighting.

Timers: A light, randomly activated during the night by 24 hours x 15 minute timer, may suggest that a worried resident camper inside. Anyone watching your camp became frustrated enough to seek easy loot.

Alarms and sirens: Several types are available, variously activated by son-traps, infrared sensors or switches internal. They take a little introduction, are prone to accidental initiation, and are, generally speaking, gross over-kill. Still, if what it takes to put the fears of the family to relax, visit electronics stores again.

Communications: In the outback, the mobile networks are rarely within reach, so for emergency communication consider a telephone satellite or HF radio. For most campers, though, $ 2,000 plus price tags are difficult to justify. AM / SSB and UHF base, although less expensive, starting a trucker or farmer in the three or four kilometers. However, outside the hearing of the occupants launched an "Appeal distress, would be reason enough to move forward.

Guns: From a legal perspective - and keeping training of smallarms and competence in mind - it's really an issue for careful personal evaluation. Without doubt, any weapon in the hands of experience, or someone caught up in panic, soon becomes more dangerous than protective. And if the weapons fall into the hands of the intruder, an extremely awkward scenario could be the result! Your call.

As mentioned previously, human risk in remote areas are rare enough to be almost nonexistent. That said, it does not hurt to be realistic. A healthy dose of paranoia controlled, endorsed by preparation reflected not only improve your level of security, it also helps the family feel more at ease while enjoying the solitude of the bush.

About the Author

Bill Revill is an Australian freelance writer, fulltime RV traveller, and remote lifestyle expert. For further information go to:
http://www.livingontheroad.com

http://www.authorsden.com/billrevill
Copyright 2007 by W.V. Revill