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I don’t subscribe to “the world is a mean and scary place” agenda that is prominent in our media these days. Our news has become a joke. With a 24 hour news cycle, they literally scrape the bottom of the barrel for stories to keep their ratings up 24/7. And guess what sells? FEAR.
I’ve backpacked over 400 miles in the back-country alone. I’ve traveled to 8 countries alone. I’ve lived alone in some rough neighborhoods in and around San Francisco and Oakland. And now I live and travel in an RV alone. Guess what, I’m still here. Unharmed and safe and sound.
With that said, we do have to take precautions for that “just in case” AND perhaps it’s street smarts and gut instinct that have kept me safe. So, here is how I stay safe traveling alone.
I never let fear or the unknown stop me. I hope these tips will inspire you to travel more and fear less! Check out my Safety Tips for Solo Female RV life below.
DISCLAIMER: Carolyn’s RV Life and Carolyn Higgins share her experiences, thoughts, opinions and ideas in this blog post and on this website for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, instruction or guidance. Viewers/Readers should consult with professionals before pursing any actions or behaviors exhibited in this video. Carolyn’s RV Life or Carolyn Higgins cannot be held liable in the event of any accident or injury that may occur as a result of application of procedures and information provided in this video.
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18 Responses
You are unique woman.
But you seam to pick up on the important things in your surrounding. You’ll do fine. Think you need to look at truck camper so you can enjoy boondocking easier. Enjoy Marc
Marc – Yes, a truck camper!!! I definitely need something more rugged than a freaking Jamboree Rallye! (what was I thinking? LOL)
thanks for your kind words- Have fun and be safe! – Carolyn
Hi Carolyn, first let me say thanks for sharing. Im going to recommend buying several solar lights .. one you put near your doors. I bought mine from Amazon and also got the tape adhesive. They require no batteries. The LED light are bright.
Will he watching mire videos.
MsPat
Ms. Pat – thank you for the recommendation of solar lights. Sounds like a great idea!
Thank you for watching and reading. I appreciate your support – Carolyn
Truck campers have a drawback, you have to get out of the cab and walk around to get into the camper. I recently upgraded to a 26 footer. I can park, go potty, fix a sandwich and no one knows if one or nine are in the vehicle.
Also, a can of wasp spray is better than mace. The as attacker will need medical attention or go blind. The attacker feels safer going to ER with wasp spray than a gun shot, thus may not attempt to have a buddy patch him up. Just keep a can by your door and it will be multipurpose.
For those who like the thought of a gun but not the actual physical item…toss an empty box of handgun or shotgun shells on your dash with an old hunting hat.
Women get a well used man’s jacket (stereo type leather biker, Levi with patches, hunting vest/jacket) leave those items on the front seat at night.
Wishing all the hobos, gypsies, and vagabonds the very best this lifestyle has to offer.
thank you for the info Cynthia!!
Hi Carolyn!! I am just getting ready to start my adventure with in the next few months! I found your website a few days ago googling good places to boondock. I have a 38 ft rig so my options will be more limited. Any I wanted you to know I have placed you in my favorites and have been enjoying searching through your site. I just got done watching the safety tips video and I love it and want to say THANK YOU!!!!!!
Kim- In a few months! WOW. it’s going to fly by! I’m happy and excited for you!
I appreciate you taking the time to write to let me know the info I’m posting is helpful. That is very encouraging! Thank you!! – C
Hi Carolyn ,Thanks for sharing your experience with us ,I learned good tips from your videos and I will be following you and your advise .
Mike, I am very happy to read that you learned something new from my videos! Thank you for the kind note and for watching! – Carolyn
Hi Carolyn,
We have our own 24 feet (7,40meter) European RV. We travel trough Europe since 1996 and also have our own trics to protect us. Mostley we’re sleeping on spots near a church or by the seaside. Only to visit a bigger town we’re going on a campground. Until now, we haven’t, and i knock on wood, any violenc or somebode broke in. In Europe it’s forbidden to wear a weapon. Even pepperspray is a forbidden weapon here. But this is a tip i get from a police officer. If you lay down a few cans of deodorant by each door and your bed, you can spray it in the eyes if you need to. It’ll not be as hard as pepperspray, but it gives you the chance to get away.
Greetings from Belgium!
Hi Geert from Belgium
Welcome to my website and YT channel! (and my life too, I guess!) :p
I appreciate you sharing your deodorant tip! Interesting fact about pepper spray and what we Americans allow.. *sigh( 🙂
Thank you very much! Safe travels to you both!
Same. I’m from New Zealand (single woman) and thinking of doing this fulltime, but we’re not allowed mace or pepper spray either (and needless to say no guns). Have no idea how I’d defend myself if someone broke in!
Great video, Carolyn! I especially enjoyed your opening about enjoying alone time. I am the same kind of person, but I’ve never been able to say it as well as you did.
My Safety Tip Number One is don’t injure myself. Don’t cut myself. Don’t burn myself. Don’t fall off a ladder or rock. Don’t break my leg on a hike. And I think about what could possibly go wrong whenever I pick up a tool or move around, and I don’t take that risk!. (I know this is obvious to a solo backpacker, but it’s good to hammer the point.)
Your tips made me think. I’m going to buy a second chair! And I think your best tip was to travel with a dog. Any dog. Wonderful alarm and deterrent!
Have fun!
Galard
Galard,
I had to laugh at the “don’t injure yourself” advice. I can be a bit clumsy and have had to learn to slow down and not get hurt!! I actually had to PRACTICE that in my practice hikes for the JMT! I didn’t want to get hurt 50 miles out in the wilderness alone!
Great advice. thank you.
Glad you are enjoying my vids and blogs. Thank you for taking the time to write! – C
Hi your safety tips are excellent. Thank you. I Thought of others
iudm.:)
A recording of a man’s voice, perhaps on the cell phone. And shouting/barking things like who’s out there and the sound of a gun cocking. The possibilities are endless.
Cell phone around your neck with 911 on screen already if there is ever an uneasy feeling while occupied.
Oh another loud sound, once my bicycle tire burst from too much air and it scared the daylights out of my neighbors at night lol.
I don’t know functionality, but a knife on the end of a bat would give distance from an attacker rather than up close wrestling where it might be taken away.
Stun gun.
I watched many videos. ib like yours. Same wavelength 🙂 Jeri from Connecticut
Jeri from Connecticut-
Thank you for sharing your great tips! Glad to hear we’re on the same wavelength. Love hearing that. Thanks so much for joining me on my journey! – Carolyn
I loved it when you suggested parking the RV or pointing it in the direction of an escape route so that it is easy to leave when I notice that something is wrong. This method paired with my ability to sense danger like a stray cat will surely help me out when worse comes to worst. Thanks for sharing. I just wanted to know how to stay safe since I plan on living in an RV alone from now on. Thanks!