Camping Safely In An Recreational Vehicle Or Motorhome

The first step is always having your recreational vehicle inspected by a mechanic before beginning a vacation. On your own, you can check tire pressure, change oil and check batters, fire extinguishers, etc. But there is so much more to being safe when heading into the wilderness or backcountry in your recreational vehicle.

Wild animals, especially in areas where grizzly bears are common and have become familiar with humans, can be a threat. This was demonstrated earlier this summer outside of Yellowstone Park when a bear left a camper dead and two others injured. The main problem in this situation is bears have begun to associate humans with food. When that happens, bears may get aggressive with humans in order to get to food.

This is not always an obvious attack, such as a camper sleeping with a pizza box on his or her chest. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and as such, can be drawn to items such as deodorant and toothpaste. And bears are strong. They can rip open the door of a car or Recreational Vehicle if the food motivation is strong enough. In order to protect yourself, be sure to store food in a bear locker or in a bear canister. Check with rangers if you are at a National Park to find out where bear incidents have been common in the past and stay away from those areas.

Animals generally hunt and encounter humans during the dawn or dusk. Running might make you appear as prey to a mountain lion or grizzly bear. Remember, they have very keen 'chase instincts.' Mountain lion attacks generally happen when humans encroach on their hunting habitat, or years where deer are scare and it's hard for them to find food.

Fortunately, cougar attacks don't happen often, but they do happen. If you or your family is out during the dawn or dusk, don't run around. Keep a steady pace if hiking. If you have children, keep them close to you. Mountain lions are less likely to attack a group of people. If you have a dog or other pet, keep it on a leash. Don't give the mountain lion a reason to come close. If one does approach, scream, yell, and make a lot of noise. Wave your hands over your head and if you can, throw rocks or other things to help deter it.

If you are camping in the mountains or the desert, weather can change before you know it. What starts out as a sunny morning can end up with temperatures dropping and storms rolling in. The best way to deal with this is to always hike with layers of clothing, so you can adjust. Hypothermia can set in before you know it. If you are shivering, you are too cold. Try to start a fire to warm up (practice fire safety), or if you don't have layers, jog or run to get your blood pumping. If it's warm, take plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Keep a map and compass with you and know how to use them. Whether you are driving or camping, it's easy to get lost. In the wilderness GPS units are not always reliable. Batteries run out or reception can be lost. As you go, take note of landmarks and have a good sense of where you are in case you need to turn back. Unless you are familiar with backcountry camping, stay on a trail. If you get lost and are unsure of the last time you were on a trail, stay put until someone finds you. Having a mirror or matches to start a fire or signal a plane or search party will be beneficial.

No matter where you choose to spend your Recreational vehicle vacation, stay safe. Know the terrain, know what animals are potential threats – bears, mountain lions, mice, and snakes and do your best to prevent an encounter. Be sure to have lots of layers, water and matches in case you do get lost. Let someone know where you plan on being and have fun. It's wild out there!

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