How To Stay Safe When Camping In A Recreational Vehicle
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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.
Wild animals generally hunt during the early hours of the morning or in the evening. They see things that move quickly as prey. Mountain lions have been known to attack people who have been jogging, dogs or cats that are out playing and more. When human habitat has encroached on their prey, or during hard years where prey is scarce, cougars will turn to other sources.
If you are out during these hours, hike at a steady pace. Children should be kept close, within eyesight. Crowds tend to deter animals from attacking. Dogs should also be kept close or on a leash. Their innocent explorations might draw a mountain lion towards you.
Bring lots of layers of clothing. Whether you are camping in California or Wyoming, weather patterns can change drastically. Getting caught in a rain or hailstorm can bring on hypothermia fairly quickly. Be sure you have raingear to stay dry and warmer layers such as a fleece in case temperatures drop rapidly. In the mountains of Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, it's not uncommon to have snows into July and starting again late August or September. Be prepared.
GPS units are great when there is reliable service. However, there may be places where batteries run out or you don't get service. Always have a backup. Have a map and familiarize yourself with it before you start your hike. Always have a compass and know how to use it. These basic measures can save your life.
It's amazing to feel wild when you head out into places where you see no other people. But take care to be safe and keep the animals around you safe. Don't forget. We are all living on this planet together and we can live harmoniously.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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