Safety Items for Solo Travel?

[PPCLI_Jim]

prod_id=3481&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=3481&gclid=CjwKEAiAy7SzBRD_lv7quOnr6XUSJAAOLkW6OKz2sU6ba9DGxEklFQFAb9op1tiscaYMf94tZJrvzBoCbXLw_wcB[/url]
.
Gun, people go on about training like you have to be some kind of Delta Team operator, you don't. As long as you have enough knowledge and common since to be safe and legal then it's MUCH better to have one then not, period. 99% of the time just having a gun, any gun, is all you need. You're lucky to live in Florida, the Florida concealed carry permit is good in about 40 states. Almost anywhere else even Canada(certain conditions) as long as you unload, lock it up, etc. it's still legal to posses. Take the Florida concealed carry class, head to a range that rents guns to learn/choose, and buy one. The peace of mind alone is worth it, you're easy valuable prey traveling alone, even more so sleeping in a tent.
.

WRONG !!!!! as a Cdn that owns what is called a RESTRICTED firearm (PISTOL) do not how up here to Canada expecting to have a pistol get across the border. A shotgun or rifle NONE AR/ AK platform could be gotten across the border , as long as you do an application beforehand . i can take mine to another city if theres a legal reason for me to have it IE another shooting range / to be worked on. But to take it to another province I have to contact the Firearms ppl and get a Application to transport that means I have to plan where I will be shooting when i will be shooting where the gun will be stored when not doing these activities.

 

[Korben]

WRONG !!!!! as a Cdn that owns what is called a RESTRICTED firearm (PISTOL) do not how up here to Canada expecting to have a pistol get across the border. A shotgun or rifle NONE AR/ AK platform could be gotten across the border , as long as you do an application beforehand . i can take mine to another city if theres a legal reason for me to have it IE another shooting range / to be worked on. But to take it to another province I have to contact the Firearms ppl and get a Application to transport that means I have to plan where I will be shooting when i will be shooting where the gun will be stored when not doing these activities.

WOW that's hard to read, is grammar different in Canada?
.
Best I gather you're trying to say that an American can't take a handgun into Canada, this is not true. An American can get a 60 day "Non-Resident Firearms Declaration" which can include many pistols when driving through Canada to/from Alaska. A pistol with barrel shorter then 4" isn't allowed, but a pistol with a barrel greater then 4" is with an extra form that must be pre-approved and costs $50.

 

[M35A2]

There is one survival item that I am not sure has been mentioned. It is one of the least expensive and easy to pack things you can imagine.

A spare set of valve stem cores.

A very common tactic used by miscreants is to remove the valve stems from someone's tires. The owner returns to find four (or six) flats and goes off to find help. This is the chance for the thieves to replace, reinflate and be off with less risk of being found out.

There are other possible scenarios.

Carry a spare set of valve stem cores!

 

[DanCooper]

Curt:

What you are doing looks about right. As for additional lights. there are a few vendors (Rigid, Vision X) that make a mount that utilizes the license plate mounting brackets and only cost about $50. I had one mounted on the front of My '08 Subaru Outback, and put a small LED light bar on it, but you can put cannons on there, too. There are some LED conversions you can put in the fog lamp holes if you want, but they seemed pricey for what you get . . .

Go with the inReach if you are coming far north into Canada/Alaska. The SPOT, which is a lovely device and which I have used all over the Small States, has issues the farther north you get. Plus you cannot beat the two way connectivity of the inReach, particularly when you use the app and your smartphone. I used mine all over the Alaska range last fall.

I haven't used a CB on the highway since I drove up here in 1976. Think carefully about what you are going to need it for.

With respect to your comment about refreshing your first aid skill set, I would recommend it. I took a refresher course before I retired and started "overlanding" because I hadn't had any courses since I got out of the Marine Corps in 1969. Things have changed, and SAM splints, Israeli bandages, and quick clot make things a lot easier these days. And now they even have syringes full of treated sponges you can "inject" into deep wounds for controlling blood loss . . .

There is a thread in the Alaska forum about taking guns into and through Canada. Personally, I leave my guns at home. I've travelled throughout the Small States, back and forth through Canada, through Eurpoe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia (solo on a motorcycle) over the last few years and have never needed, or come close to needing, a weapon of any kind. It (carrying a firearm of any kind) is a personal choice, and there is lots of debate on various forums here on ExPo about the pros and cons. Anyone who tells you that you absolutely MUST have one is really just saying he or she is very, very firmly of the opinion that you gotta have one. The obverse is true as well. Make up your own mind based on personal preferences while being fully aware of your skill level. You don't get do-overs once the round leaves the muzzle. Having said all that, I know some people will carry an expandable baton like the police carry (strike to the hard, jab to the soft). Its still a dangerous weapon, and so you really have to know the law of self defense. Or not.

There is room to sleep in the back of the Subie in a bag on the nicest Thermarest or equivalent you can afford. I would suggest that if you decide to do this, take a look at midlifecrisis thread for how he made mosquito screens for the rear windows on his Subie to allow fresh air in and to keep the bugs out.

Also, evildave has a thread about building am awning for under $100 that may fit into your budget and keep the worst of the rain off. You will get rained on . . .

If you are going to drive through Canada and Alaska, you will need the Milepost. It wiil help you plan your trip, and give you info on whether you can really make it to the next gas station. Of course, sometimes it will tell you that gas is available, and when you get there, the fuel truck won't be there with the next load for a few days. An awning is nice for the wait. Extra fuel is even better.

Your trip around the Southwest US will give you a much better idea about what you need for an adventure further north. As I was starting to get back into this, I carried a little notebook and pen and made notes about what I thought I might need, and what I was carrying that I never used.

And don't forget your music!

And if your cell carrier is AT&T, you will need an add-on to your plan to avois roaming charges in Canada. Add it on just before you cross the border, cancel it as soon as you are back in the US.

I close by saying I am not an expert in anything, and everything above is from my simple life's experiences.

Have a great trip!

Dan

 

[Korben]

Having said all that, I know some people will carry an expandable baton like the police carry (strike to the hard, jab to the soft). Its still a dangerous weapon, and so you really have to know the law of self defense.

FWIW in many locations a gun is more legal to posses then an expandable baton. In many places both are considered dangerous weapons and are illegal to normally conceal/carry, yet you can be permitted for the gun but not the baton.

 

[fike]

If you aren't a gun person already, take a pass on the issues around trying legally and safely carry across states and countries. Consider a can of bear pepper spray instead. Get the carabiner holster with it.

When I took my Forester x-country I put a hitch on it with one of those fold-up platforms for carrying dirty stuff like my grill (which was another favorite). The hitch can also act as a recovery point.

Consider some skid plates from Primitive...at least a front skid for the engine which is where you are most likely to strike even if you are going very slowly and carefully.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/trailpixie/tags/subaru/

I enjoyed having my mini gas grill instead of trying to cook with pots and pans and stuff. I could throw a bratwurst on the grill and have a nice hot meal without having to worry about cleanup or anything.

Maximize your storage space with a small platform in the trunk area with some shallow rubbermaid-like pans. I made mine very cheaply with plywood and it was useful for storing some things out-of-site (like electronics).

Consider a goal zero battery pack for charging stuff. I wouldn't worry about the solar stuff because they are expensive and the battery packs can be charged off the car battery when you are moving. I got the yeti 150 which was enough to keep all my electronics and cameras charged.

If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair. I can say that from experience.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/16289053018_2cc930cbe9_z_d.jpg

 

[ne_dan]

This is more of a preventative safety measure and something you see quite a bit. Stickers nothing says hey I might have something expensive inside me or my house like stickers, whether it's gun stickers, stickers that come with products, political stickers whatever it be. You want to put them somewhere put on a cooler or mini-fridge. I'm not saying don't put stickers from the places you've been but, just think what you may be advertising to the less reputable people of the world.

 

[calicamper]

Bear Spray mounted in an easy to grab spot. I hear it works well on a range of animals including two legged types. Give the time investment and gear most people invest into their vehicles. I would highly recommend added anti theft devices to the vehicle, and have a serious talk with your insurer to make sure your not under insured. My racing sailboat had a value much higher than its original sell price and appreciated in value not depreciated so my insurance coverage plan was based on a replacement cost I set with the insurer and yes paid for with a higher premium than a typical coverage plan. But I had no risk of a big financial loss if I were rear ended while towing it, or if some jerk took off with it. We just had a pretty active expedition type loose his much loved rig and lots of really important gear to him and its clear to everyone on that thread the loss is far far greater than just having a vehicle stolen. His life style and hours of design and setting his rig up has been lost along with really important gear. Big time sucky ****ty thing to happen to anyone with so much invested in their vehicles.

 

[Sabre]

Ä

Hmmm.
I always thought at least with Amateur service the Operator was the licenseholder, not the stations appraratus or location.
By the prior comments & what seems to be portion of FCC rules, I would believe during an emergency as defined in those rules one could 'legally' operate radio.

Defining "emergency" where life endangered is different point....

A station may indeed be licensed, but in this discussion the definition of licensed station is simply a station being operated by a licensed operator. Conversely, an unlicensed operator MAY be permitted to broadcast on a licensed station, but only if that station is under the control of a control operator.

However, an unlicensed operator may never operate an unlicensed station, which is what had been proposed earlier in this thread. Confusion arises because the rules do permit a licensed station to operate outside its normally permitted bands/modes in case of imminent threat to life.

 

[PPCLI_Jim]

WOW that's hard to read, is grammar different in Canada?
.
Best I gather you're trying to say that an American can't take a handgun into Canada, this is not true. An American can get a 60 day "Non-Resident Firearms Declaration" which can include many pistols when driving through Canada to/from Alaska. A pistol with barrel shorter then 4" isn't allowed, but a pistol with a barrel greater then 4" is with an extra form that must be pre-approved and costs $50.

Sorry I have an older keyboard that sticks . yes you can get a hand gun into canada IF you do the proper paper work and have a legitimate reason for it. The paperwork must be done beforehand , as showing up at the border will get you turned away . If i want to visit my brother in another Province they want (NEED) to know why its going there, where it will be stored and how long it will be out of province . I just watched a dhow on a couple that came to the border without the correct documentation and they had a few choices 1 hand over the pistols and they would be destroyed . 2 turn around and ship them back to home then come back through the border. Long guns are less problematic . Unless they fall under the same class as the pistol AR !5/ AK style platforms. Shotguns and rifles if you have done the paperwork are generally no problem

 

[PPCLI_Jim]

WOW that's hard to read, is grammar different in Canada?
.
Best I gather you're trying to say that an American can't take a handgun into Canada, this is not true. An American can get a 60 day "Non-Resident Firearms Declaration" which can include many pistols when driving through Canada to/from Alaska. A pistol with barrel shorter then 4" isn't allowed, but a pistol with a barrel greater then 4" is with an extra form that must be pre-approved and costs $50.

Sorry I have an older keyboard that sticks . yes you can get a hand gun into canada IF you do the proper paper work and have a legitimate reason for it. The paperwork must be done beforehand , as showing up at the border will get you turned away . If i want to visit my brother in another Province they want (NEED) to know why its going there, where it will be stored and how long it will be out of province . I just watched a show on a couple that came to the border without the correct documentation and they had a few choices 1 hand over the pistols and they would be destroyed . 2 turn around and ship them back to home then come back through the border. Long guns are less problematic . Unless they fall under the same class as the pistol AR !5/ AK style platforms. Shotguns and rifles if you have done the paperwork are generally no problem

 

[rayra]

all the aforementioned things and a 100oz camelback, more water and good broken-in hiking shoes. For when you can't get unstuck.

 

[floramay]

We should include other people when thinking about emergencies. Lifesaving shouldn't be just about ourselves... we also need to be prepared to help others.

For your emergency kit, I highly suggest you also throw in things like a tourniquet, duct tape (but of course!), and a CPR mask -- there's one that you can carry around like a keychain so you're prepared to give CPR anytime anywhere, it's super accessible. You can get the CPR mask keychain here: keychainmask.com/we-bet-you-forgot-about-these-3-bug-out-bag-essentials/.

When you're in a tough situation, every second counts!

 

[mac66]

Rather than a winch or a hi-lift jack a comealong is a pretty handy accessory. A lot easier to carry and store than a hi-lift. A lot cheaper and lighter than an electric winch. Add a couple of snatch blocks, a synthetic winch rope, a shackle or two and a tow strap and you can pretty much extricate just about anything. I've carried that setup in a full-size 2wd van for decades.

Something like this would work well. Even cheaper cable type ones work pretty well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00&tag=viglink20251-20

I do disagree with the idea of not taking something if you don't know how it works. Couple reasons why you should have stuff even if you don't know how to use it...Being out by oneself is a good time to read the manual and learn how to use it. Second, even if you don't know, someone may come along who does. I've changed more than a few tires for people who didn't know how their jack worked.

 

[lysol]

A portable propane heater. This isn't much of a necessity, but more of a comfort item for a short period of time if you get stranded. They aren't very large and are safe to use as long as you crack one of the windows about an inch. Some people have purchased a battery CO2 sensor just to be safe, but I haven't heard of any actually going off.

A Mr. Buddy Portable propane heater and a couple 1 lb propane bottles. Running it on low with a 1 lb bottle will give you about 5-6 hours, but that alone would be a lot of heat for the inside of a vehicle. I'd imagine you could easily keep your vehicle warm for at least 24 hours or longer with 2 bottles by just running it for a few minutes every 30 - 60 minutes.

Not sure about crossing borders with propane bottles though.