Maintenance & Restoration

steven jones · 05-22-2008, 12:16 AM

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I didn't see any discussion of pepper spray as a defensive appliance against intruders, human or animal. Anyone have any experience with pepper spray that they'd care to share?

I would add that the only time we've had any trouble camping was with a neighbor's dog running loose that 'attacked' our little dog as we walked a trail with ours on a leash. A swift kick in the rear end sent it howling away. I didn't even remember that I had a pepper spray canister on my key-chain.

yes, & it really hurts...

you were probably better off with the kick, as you might have sprayed your dog...

Roger H · 05-22-2008, 03:47 PM

I've trained with the stuff for years, and it isn't particularly effective on me. It's annoying, but not debilitating. If I were your assailant, it wouldn't stop me, or even slow me down much. It is devastating to some folks though. Just remember that when you spray the stuff, you always get sprayed yourself too.

Roger

Shelley · 05-22-2008, 04:40 PM

I've always camped solo and I'd agree that a large dog is a deterrent (I'm biased obviously) but have found it interesting that smaller kids never see my dog as any kind of threat but have been asked about his friendliness only from those who probably don't have the best intentions. And even my sucky dog has raised his hackles when unsure about someone so don't underestimate their reactions...he didn't bark but he was uncertain and not his friendly self and that told me a whole lot...

I'd add that I always try to use the washrooms/showers at busy times and will drive to them rather than walk dark or deserted trails.

I touch base with park officers/campground hosts regularly in the hopes that they will also keep an eye on my trailer or be aware if something seems amiss. I also let a friend or family member know when I'm going and how long I'll be gone and try to touch base at some point during a trip.

I'm not eager to have to air out the trailer from pepper spray so other than carrying it on a hike am not likely to want to use it. I do have a bat but there isn't a whole lot of swinging room in my trailer lol. Just like at home, I don't open the door if I'm not expecting someone or can't see who they are. It's counter to most people's manners to allow a car alarm to go off for a long time or make a lot of noise in a campground so I like the advice about using an alarm but would suggest some loud yelling may be even better.

Otherwise I think being aware of your surroundings and trusting your gut are key. Acting like you can handle yourself works the same as having good locks...it usually sends them on to an easier target.

Deb H · 05-22-2008, 05:58 PM

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I've travelled across the country twice with three children and I have been very lucky that we had no troubles. I carry a cell phone, always wear a pouch with money and keys on my person at all times. And I only stayed at national parks or private campgrounds were there were other families around. I would not stay in state parks or small campsites alone with the kids...way to dangerous. We had wonderful trips. I encourage Moms to take kids camping on their own. Don't stay home out of fear. Just be smart.

Doris

I'm a newbie, Um...why are state parks more dangerous than National parks?

Donna D. · 05-22-2008, 06:15 PM

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I'm a newbie, Um...why are state parks more dangerous than National parks?

I think it depends on the area of the country. I've always felt perfectly safe in an Oregon State Park. We don't have too many National Parks in Oregon:
Crater Lake National Park, Fort Clatsop National Memorial, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Oregon National Historic Trail, Oregon Caves National Monument.

And, they're all just great! They're more tourist destinations, camping is pretty limited.

Greg A · 05-22-2008, 06:28 PM

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I'm a newbie, Um...why are state parks more dangerous than National parks?

Some folks must have dangerous state parks, hmmm.

Come on down to Arizona, our state parks are great and we've never had a problem. Our national parks are pretty good too...
Might want to wait for fall though, our heat is setting in.

doris shamieh · 05-22-2008, 06:31 PM

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I'm a newbie, Um...why are state parks more dangerous than National parks?

Some of the state parks that I've camped in out west are not as populated. We stayed at one park in Colorado and we were to only people there. It was a drop a few bucks in the envelope kind of place. It was beautiful and quiet but it was also scary. There are always lots of people at the national parks. We loved staying at Zion National Park. We met lots of folks from all over the world. I felt safe staying there with the kids.

Pete Dumbleton · 05-22-2008, 08:17 PM

I would generally, based on observation and experience, rate them as follows in order of likely safety, but it really depends on the specifics:

Natl Parks
State Parks
COE
Natl Forest

Pepper and ammonia don't always work. In a former life, I had a mutt named Dum-Dum. Bunch of us were standing around on neighbor's lawn, mail guy came up and DD turned Cujo, with teeth bigger than her legs! She circled the mail guy as he was madly spraying her with ammonia but took no notice of the stuf. I hauled her back and started to put her inside house, but she and I were now having eye problems and I had to hose her down.

In the service, another Lt and I were doing the gas chamber (CS gas) for our battalion. The BC made everyone, even the outside Lt, take off their mask, but forgot about me and NCO inside. I was in there most of the day in gas mask, soaking my clothes in CS. After breaking it all down, I drove up to club to enjoy some of that beer stuf. It took a while for my CO to catch on and send me home to change, but everyone was gradually sneezing, itching and had runny nose from my CS load. Didn't bother me at all by then except a little rash around my neck.

Randya · 12-28-2008, 08:09 PM

Roger makes some good points. Listen well to what he says.
Yours and your families protection is a personal call, and all subject to local laws. Here in Wy. I carry firearms and bear spray. If I leave the state, the guns stay home and the bear spray comes along. I use the 14 oz. UDAP spray, I also recieve bear defense training at work every year. But this stuff works on humans to. THe big cans are designed for big critters, and a human is not the same as a bear, it will litteraly take a man to his knees. It will spray 30 to 35 feet. I keep a can by the door in my camper. Both for bear and unbearables! I have used it on one guy and one bear in my life. Both worked flawless. A gun is ok as Roger said, but if you go that route, it can be irreversible!!! And you need to shoot and train with it, then do it some more!

Glenn Baglo · 12-28-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Roger makes some good points. Listen well to what he says.
Yours and your families protection is a personal call, and all subject to local laws. Here in Wy. I carry firearms and bear spray. If I leave the state, the guns stay home and the bear spray comes along. I use the 14 oz. UDAP spray, I also recieve bear defense training at work every year. But this stuff works on humans to. THe big cans are designed for big critters, and a human is not the same as a bear, it will litteraly take a man to his knees. It will spray 30 to 35 feet. I keep a can by the door in my camper. Both for bear and unbearables! I have used it on one guy and one bear in my life. Both worked flawless. A gun is ok as Roger said, but if you go that route, it can be irreversible!!! And you need to shoot and train with it, then do it some more!

Just wondering how much pleasure there is in camping with so much fear.
I read the entire thread and am now as afraid of the good guys as I am of the bad guys.

baglo

Linda&Dale · 01-03-2009, 01:35 PM

Oh don't be afraid. After I took a self defence class I was less afraid and more willing to adventure in places that I might not otherwise. Just standing at a bus stop after dark can be dangerous but the fun we have adventuring into a city and exploring it far outways the risks in my opinion. And being aware of how to reduce the chance of being a victim does not mean you are afraid.

All of us do not want car trouble but we still bring jumper cables and a spare tire. Being prepared just lets us focus on the fun things in our adventures.

Joy A · 01-04-2009, 10:18 AM

I have a hard time figuring out why so many people are so afraid. Gosh, I don't think I'd venture out of my house if I were that frightened.

Just hitch that trailer up and go. I've been solo camping for a full 8 years, not fulltime but part time, and have never run into any problems. I've camped in all of the above mentioned campgrounds across 2/3's of the country and Alaska. I just look at the people and the surroundings, then decide whether I want to stay there or not. You can always move on.

Linda&Dale · 01-04-2009, 10:53 AM

Joy, to me you represent solo camping. You have done and gone places many couples only dream of going. I love the stories of your Alaska trip. And how brave Lilly was when she would see the bears from inside the jeep.

John Hussey · 01-04-2009, 01:34 PM

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Joy, to me you represent solo camping. You have done and gone places many couples only dream of going. I love the stories of your Alaska trip. And how brave Lilly was when she would see the bears from inside the jeep.

Where are those stories?