17 April 2019; See and do; View comments ; Share: Be prepared on your next adventure in South Australia’s wild and wonderful national parks with these safety tips. Whether it’s a baseball bat, a bottle of mace, your mad tae-kwon-do skills, a mag light or a gun, some form of protection can help bring an added sense of security when camping. Weather can be unpredictable, but with modern technology, big storms can be somewhat anticipated ahead of time. We’ve camped within earshot of a couple that spent the evening screaming at each other, there have been a handful of times that random people have strolled up on our camp (usually lost or asking questions about the area) and we’ve passed by one naked guy doing laundry outside his RV in the middle of the woods. ... One of the benefits of camping for youth is that it allows them to learn independence in a safe and controlled environment. As an example using the same data a bit more specific, using camping and fatal bear attack data only from the Mountain Region (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico), and assuming that all regions camp for the same number of days, then the probability of a bear attack in the Mountain Region is 1 in 328 million.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'decideoutside_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',111,'0','0'])); Even considering location-specific risk, the probabilities for the highest occurrence locations are well beyond 1 in a million. If your campsite is close to where others walk by, seeing an item, set away from the rest of your gear could be too much for someone with theft on their mind. From my personal experience, camping is safer without guns. Even with conservative estimates, the chances of being attacked by a bear at all are extremely unlikely. Follow your normal bedtime routine to … That being said, considering the odds of an animal attack in any circumstance can help answer the question of whether a tent can help in that regard at all.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'decideoutside_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',108,'0','0'])); If you search around, most forum posts are only anecdotal whether or not you are safer within a tent or outside. At no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. Many campers like to bring along their favorite adult beverage in a trusty flask. Also a thread on Wander the West, that some of which was deleted by moderator when firearms were mentioned: http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/9425-camping-security/. This danger is minimal because snakes in North America can’t eat you, and thus normally don’t hunt humans. We have never felt unsafe at camp. Here are some great tips on how to prepare your kids for safety while camping… From the lists I researched, there are no recorded fatalities from cougars attacking humans in tents. This noise can be extremely distracting and alarming. Staying safe on the campsite It’s very rare to have an accident or safety-related incident on a campsite and we’d like to keep it that way. The environment of the camping trip is what shall determine your attire while in the bushes. The more you camp the more comfortable it becomes. It can also be difficult knowing how to remain safe during your trip. article specifically on this subject here. Camping safety is different than regular house/city safety. All of these deaths were not involved with camping–but most of them occurred in the wild.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'decideoutside_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])); Even if we are conservative, and say that there were 1000 fatal bear attacks and that these attacks each represent a day for a camper, then we can average these attacks for 100 years. Being in nature you’ll find out that a lot of little critters live out there, and they make a surprising amount of noise. However, even though the chances of a wild animal encounter are low, it’s important to take precautions to prevent any mishap. At camp, you could go from not seeing a soul, to some random couple on their ATV pulling right in to your living space. If you see a bear or a cougar from a distance, consider moving your campsite and avoiding the situation. A further complication is that the data available is not comprehensive because people sometimes go missing without any explanation, and many incidents are not reported. How to Stay Safe While Camping in 2018. A motion detector light will detect … 8 ways to stay safe while camping. In addition to following all of the above tips for hiking (they also apply to camping), here are some key things to remember before and during your 2018 summer camping … Should you be concerned about snakes and sleeping in a tent? Click here for more details if you want to make some money on the side! Coyotes are not typically a threat, but they can be alarming when they howl in the middle of the night. Can You Hike With Jeans? The probability of being attacked in a tent by a wild animal is extremely low. How to keep you and your motorhome safe should be your primary priority, even if you are only hiring it. Tents are not a guarantee of protection. Drink safe water from the campground tap. Just because you see a dangerous animal does not mean they are a threat. Links to the Personal Safety in an RV are posted below. Is this a good area? Camping is a fun-filled activity, which will provide you with the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. My cousin followed up with “What about all the crazy people, haven’t you seen the Hills Have Eyes?”. But no matter what your … It makes me look past the cheaper models that have reported issues with rusting out in about a year. If you’d like to try tent-free camping, look into tent alternatives to keep you safe and cozy while you sleep. My greatest fear is getting stranded somewhere with my truck camper broken or inextricably stuck off-road someplace I was ill-equipped to venture. You're in the right place to find out! We also love the little things that nobody else notices. That’s all the weird I can come up with and we never once felt threatened. Peter grew up going on long backpacking excursions with his family every Summer and now enjoys staying at the beautiful Texas State Parks and swimming in the amazing Texas Rivers. Camping in Alaska or the northwest will have a higher probability of a fatal encounter with a bear, and those camping in other locations will have a lower probability of a fatal encounter. You are not immune to danger from a cougar in a tent, but the chance of a fatal attack occurring is almost 0. Campfire safety is at the top of the list when it comes to staying safe while camping… It’s a great rule to live by because you’re most likely to discover what you initially thought would be frightening, wasn’t really that scary at all and the reward was far greater than you ever could have imagined. But even with a tent, it can be difficult to feel comfortable thinking about the horrible animal attacks you see in documentaries or news articles. You are far more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than a fatal animal attack. We smiled and said “no”. What the numbers specifically don’t tell us is the preparedness of each camper against the possibility of attack from animals. The first question is to determine how many people should be a part of the numbers to calculate the risk of being attacked. But we’ve been asked this question on more than one occasion so I thought I’d share our thoughts…. Yet, he feels perfectly safe at home, just as I feel perfectly safe at camp. Don’t leave valuables at the tent door The most important rule? link to Can You Hike With Jeans? To have a safe and secure camping trip, make sure that your camping gear and amenities are full proof. Although nothing is a guarantee from danger, it makes sense that a predator is less likely to attack if it views you as more of a threat. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'decideoutside_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',116,'0','0'])); From one study from the Wildlife Society, 90% of attacks from black bears only occurred on groups of people of either 1 or 2. Department Of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation. Copyright © 2020 Two Happy Campers | We love Divi by Elegant Themes. We’ve had the same experience also Caite. Trust your instincts and move on. However, taking the proper wildlife precautions at camp can help lower that risk. If you want to see more detail about coyotes and whether they are a threat or not, check out our article that goes into detail on this subject.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'decideoutside_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',113,'0','0'])); This article is getting in tents, isn’t it? You are right, as many ask about one’s safety when out in remote areas, boondocking. Camping is already fun, but sleeping without a tent can make it even more exciting and adventurous. I believe the key is to pay attention to your gut and always be aware of your surroundings. The lack of solid walls in a tent can be really unnerving, especially because of news articles and Facebook delivering the worst possible outcomes to our screens. However, in bear country, these precautions are vital. With that, I say, stop worrying. This can be done by tying your rope or webbing to a rock and then throwing it over a sturdy and high tree branch. Check the weather. Is it really such a bad thing to wash a sleeping bag in a top-loading washing machine? The odds considering only the 18 noted above would be over 1 in 3 billion. If so, there are extra precautions you must take. You’ll also need to take extra measures to protect … Camping can be a great way to spend time outdoors, bond with friends and family, and enjoy your summer. If you know who’s supposed to be in your area, it becomes easier to spot a stranger. Basic camping safety includes basic animal safety. Fatal Wolf attacks are rarer than any of the other animals listed in this article. No camping trip will be fun if someone gets hurt! Keep it orderly and near where you are most of the time. Rolling An Ankle. We laughed. Anything to avoid physical contact of insects with your skin. I’d say the possibility of a bear or mountain lion encounter is the only thing that has ever put us on high alert. Are there any suspicious characters around? Tip 2: Keep your gear close Don't spread your gear far and wide around your campsite. When in bear country, even the smell of food on your clothing increases your risk. If you give your camping zone a lived-in feel by leaving it looking messy, this can help to give the impression that it’s a busy area. We acquired a heavier-duty vehicle to better handle the camper weight and allow more back road/off the beaten path adventure, but even the prospect of trying to unleash the spare 20-inch wheel and tire to change a flat is daunting. (Source: Camper fends off cougar with axe in British Columbia: Animal later shot. Snakes are dangerous when provoked or frightened. Take reasonable precautions, and avoid fretting about the worst-case scenario. Personal Safety in a Truck Camper Whether it’s a baseball bat, a bottle of mace, your mad tae-kwon-do skills, a mag light or a gun, some form of protection can help bring an added sense of security when camping. link to Can You Wash A Sleeping Bag With A Top-Loading Washing Machine? Children should be aware of their camping surroundings and shown things which may be new to them. Obviously that is dependent on the area, and this is mostly due to the fact that the people who usually bring guns, bring them so they act like jackasses with them. Your risks are the lowest if you take precautions to avoid a confrontation with a wild animal. …certainly I feel more uncomfortable in the big city of LA then any where I have ever camped!!!! Sometimes I truly envy those folks who can call up their pals and within minutes have a convoy of rock-crawlers ready to roll out for a weekend, each ready to assist when one of them rolls over and gets half-destroyed. There’s so much to love about camping in the great outdoors. Grizzly bears are typically described as more dangerous, but both have hurt or killed humans and thus need to be treated with respect. Choose your camping location carefully, and be sure to always set up camp during daylight hours. As we mostly travel solo (that is to say, not with a gaggle of like-minded friends with similar vehicles and a deep love of something beyond a professional sports arena or TV set), the concept of self-recovery often weighs on my mind. Whether it is summer or winter, it can be an excellent way to bond with family and friends. There are a few instances of fatal bear attacks for people within tents. Thanks again for bringing this important topic to your readers, too! In fact, just having a general safety plan as well as some general camping safety knowledge will go along way in keeping you and your family safe while camping. Out of all of these recorded attacks, only 11 of these attacks were on campers within tents. Peter is a software developer who loves to take every opportunity to go outside that he can get. Do Animals Attack Tents? Snakes are typically encountered en route, and thus the best protection is to wear long pants (even though some bites this will not be enough) and to watch your feet. You make yourself safe from wild animals by choosing your campsite wisely and being diligent about not having food inside or too close to … If you are camping in the west, particularly the northwest, find out if you are going to be camping in bear country. (But See Why I don't Anymore). The most scared I’ve ever been at camp has come from the voices in my own head. Do you want to be close to other people or more secluded? Here are five tips to help you stay safe while camping outdoors: Above all, stay aware of your surroundings. therefore, earplugs give your mind peace and quiet while you sleep. Campfire Safety. Get outside and enjoy life! Remember that your chances of being attacked are worse than the chances of winning most lotteries. I can’t put in to words exactly why it didn’t feel right, but that is all we needed to move on. The best idea is to avoid the snake entirely–do not try and capture or relocate the snake. Please note that some of the links on our website are affiliate links. From the Department Of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, 7000-8000 snakebites happen every year, with only 5-6 being fatal, bringing the probability of a fatal snakebite to 1 in 50 million. If you are wilderness camping, a simple way to get your food away from your campsite and out of the reach of varmints and bigger animals is to tie your pack with the food and garbage and hang it up at least 10 feet above the ground. Click here for more details if you want to make some money on the side! In my opinion, it’s just a matter of odds. This is attributed to broadly available medical assistance. I have yet to get even a high jack, or a compressor equal to the job of reinflating aired-down tires in less than 45 minutes each. I used to hike with jeans, but now I don't... does that mean it's not okay to... Can You Wash A Sleeping Bag With A Top-Loading Washing Machine? Inside a house, someone can’t just drive in to your living room. especially when we’ve been backpacking, the weirdest people encounters have been near a city. I don’t know for certain that I’m more safe in a house than at camp or vice versa but feeling as though we’re safe is a good start. Or, just in campgrounds too. In “bear country”, there are special canisters made special for the task of constraining the smell of your food and garbage. Depending on the location, black bears or grizzly bears can predominate an area. If you have scouted out your area where your tent will be, then your danger is minimized. How To Keep Food Safe When Camping: Things To Keep In Mind. Just because the danger is remote, it’s still important to take every sensible precaution.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'decideoutside_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',120,'0','0'])); You are more at risk for certain animals depending on where you are. So I thought I ’ d share our thoughts… camping, adventure, and some to. 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