Don't become an RVing statistic where you get stranded, hurt, or lost. Know how to prevent and react to a camping crisis with these RV Emergency Preparedness resources…
Emergencies can strike at any time, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But don't worry, you can take control of the situation by preparing yourself for any eventuality. And that's where these amazing resources come in! From natural disasters to medical emergencies, we've got you covered.
Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere, and suddenly a tornado or hurricane hits. What do you do? Or what if someone in your party has a heart attack or stroke? You need to be able to act quickly and confidently, and that's exactly what these resources will help you do.
We've compiled a comprehensive list of life-saving resources to keep you safe no matter where you are. So whether you're a seasoned RV traveler or just starting out, bookmark this post and refer to it whenever you need to. It could literally mean the difference between life and death!
Since we have put together many life-saving resources, I thought, what better than to “round them up” in one post? It serves as a great little table of contents to find information to help keep you safe no matter what happens when you are RVing.
I have broken this round-up into five main categories to make it easy to find precisely what you are looking for. Those categories are
- Emergency Survival Gear
- Driving & Camping
- Health & Medical
- Severe Weather
- Wildlife Encounters & Attacks
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1. Emergency Survival Gear
The following lists outline important emergency survival gear and products. These are must-have safety items you need in your RV to prevent and deal with emergencies.
5 Emergency Roadside Kit & Products for Your RV
No one wants to experience a roadside emergency, but it is always better to be prepared for one just in case. Especially when you are RVing and traveling from one place to another!
This article can help prepare you for common roadside emergencies so that you have the products you need to help keep you safe.
5 Best Survival Radios for Emergencies
Did you know that the federal government recommends having an emergency radio in your emergency kit?
That’s because they offer a way to keep in touch with what is happening around us. It can alert you to severe weather alerts, listen to air traffic, and even monitor ham radio conversations.
An emergency radio is extremely useful since it stays running even when another electronic device does not. Whether dealing with extreme weather or another unforeseen event, your radio will keep you connected to the outside world.
Best Handheld Ham Radio for Survival
When you travel, you sometimes go to faraway places. If you are like me, you are looking for a quiet, gorgeous spot off the beaten path. Somewhere to kick your feet up and relax- away from people and civilization.
But when you go off the grid, cell phones can lose their signal. Emergency situations can occur suddenly, even for serious survivalists, leaving you stranded without a way to call for help.
That is why I recommend always carrying an amateur radio with great features. They can turn survival situations into rescued ones!
Keep reading… RV EQUIPMENT/TIPS
5 Best Fire Extinguishers for Your RV
For most of us, traveling in our RV represents freedom and relaxation. But accidents can happen. RV fires are real, and overwhelming damage can be prevented in many cases.
The following outlines ways to be prepared in case of a fire, as well as the best fire extinguishers for RVs on the market today.
2. Driving & Camping Emergencies
**WARNING: THIS VIDEO’S CONTENT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS**
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As you can see in the video, RV crashes are a scary reality of this lifestyle. Fires, breakdowns, blowouts, driver errors, and more lead to dangerous and potentially fatal situations.
We share the above video not to scare you but to help you realize why RV emergency preparedness is so important. The following helps you be prepared (& stay safe) on the road and in the campground.
Don't End Up on the Side of the Road! 5 Reasons Your RV Will
The best feeling for many RVers is on that open road on your way to your next destination. So, by comparison, there is no worse feeling than ending up on the side of the road during your trip.
There are many reasons why your RV might experience a problem when en route. The following is our list of the top five reasons why you might find yourself stranded on your next vacation and how to prevent them.
By knowing these top reasons, you can better avoid ending up on the side of the road yourself!
RV Safety Tips & Travel Info
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In this video and post, we share stories and feedback from our viewers about their experiences with accidents and road emergencies. Cautionary tales and lots of great tips to keep you safe while traveling. Watch the video or keep reading…
Why You Should Not Trust GPS Completely
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should not trust GPS completely, look no further than this week’s tragic news story about an elderly couple stranded in Nevada’s high desert because their GPS routed their RV through backroads.
They were missing for more than a week, and only one survived.
To be sure, other mistakes were made that led to them getting stuck. And local red tape delayed their rescue. But the main factor appears to be that they relied solely on GPS for their directions.
Check RV Tire Pressure EVERY Travel Day (Here’s Why!)
RV tires are vital to a safe, smooth trip, yet they are often the most overlooked parts of an RV. People know they need to check them, but they don’t realize how often they should check them.
RVers should give a visual inspection of their tires before every travel day. But that’s not all! It may seem tedious, but you should also check your RV tire pressure before you hit the road… every time!
Isn’t that overkill, Mike?! It’s really not, and I’ll tell you why…
RV Fire Safety Tips & Life-Saving Info
Did you know that there are about 1,000 RV fires reported each year? Not only can they cause injuries and death, but they can cost you thousands of dollars in damage.
This article can fill you in on what you need to know, including a list of life-saving safety tips. In addition, read this other article to learn about the five best RV fire extinguishers!
11 Critical Tips on How to Detect Carbon Monoxide in Your RV
There are fewer topics more important than how to detect carbon monoxide in your RV. So, pardon me for this just-the-facts article.
With so many newbies embracing the RV Lifestyle these days, we need to talk about this. Besides, even longtime RVers need to refresh themselves on how to detect carbon monoxide in their RV and make sure all their CO-emitting appliances are well maintained…
3. Healthcare & Medical Emergencies
The following are our top health articles to help you learn to manage your health and healthcare on the road.
The Biggest Pitfall of Splitting RV Duties Down the Middle
He does this. She does that. It all works great until an emergency happens! Can you teardown your RV and drive it out if need be?
It’s a very effective strategy, really. Splitting the duties between travel partners certainly has a lot of perks.
It means faster setup and teardowns. It means each is doing what they’re most comfortable with. And it usually means less fighting!
But there is one big pitfall of splitting RV duties that we don’t talk about enough. It can leave us stranded, helpless, and alone, both literally and figuratively.
7 Super Easy Ways How RVers Handle Healthcare on the Road
If you want to live an RV lifestyle, you still need to take care of your health. Just because you are traveling does not mean that you do not need to access your medical records, see a doctor, or need medication.
This article gives you seven important and helpful tips to help you ensure that your healthcare is traveling right along with you. There is no reason you can't have a traveling lifestyle AND good health care.
Tips for Managing Health Care While RVing
Sometimes, we can get so wrapped up in making sure our RVs are in tip-top shape before hitting the road that we let our own health become less of a priority.
That is until we’re far from home, and it’s too late.
Alas, some of you will no doubt run into a health issue while RVing. I know we sure have, including a couple of years ago when we had to make an emergency stop at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota…
8 Big Health and Safety Concerns of RV Living
Many folks wait to have an RV lifestyle until they are older. But even if you are still young and traveling, you want to make sure that you are staying healthy and safe while on the road.
It doesn't matter if you are only a part-time RVer; you still want to be sure that you are staying safe.
This article covers the three big health risks of traveling, including sitting disease. It also covers major safety concerns of RV living and other important information.
Telemedicine Health Care for the RV Lifestyle
Have you heard of Telemedicine? You probably have since it became wildly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telemedicine is a term for remote healthcare. It has been made possible with new technological advances and may be the perfect solution for your medical needs while on the road!
18 Health Apps to Consider Adding Before Getting Back on the Road
With so much attention on health-related issues these days — it’s a great time to review the health apps on your smartphone or tablet.
But I’m not talking about any old apps. From looking up information to helping you relax, there are a great number of health apps you can add that relate to health.
When the Worst Happens While RVing
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What can you do when you are RVing and the worst happens? This week we hear Larry and Mary Allen's story of getting a second chance at life after a medical emergency for Larry put a stop to their RV life. Keep reading…
Medical Needs While RVing
You can experience both emergency and regular medical needs while on the road. This article covers what you need to think about before hitting the road.
From insulin and epi-pens to a well-stocked first aid kit, get the information you need. What should you be sure to bring with you before your next trip?
How to Avoid Outrageous Fees for a Medical Emergency on an RV Trip
I hope that you never experience a medical emergency when on the road. But if you do, you will want to make sure that you protect yourself financially! Your bodily health is not the only thing that needs to be protected!
This article outlines how to be prepared in case your traveling medical emergency requires air or ambulance services. It covers what may or may not be covered by your current insurance, and how to find get air and land ambulance fees covered while in route.
7 RV Safety Products for Seniors & RVers with Disabilities
Accessible RVs are available but come with a big price tag, and not everyone needs a fully accessible RV. Some travelers just need more accessible-friendly options to add to their current RV or a more affordable RV they’re going to purchase.
Whether you’re getting older or have a disability, these RV safety products can help make RV travel more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for you and your travel companions.
4. Severe Weather Emergencies
Sometimes it's Mother Nature that puts us in danger. Here are some articles to help prepare you for weather-related emergencies.
Weather Lingo RVers Need to Know
All the winter storm advisories, alerts, watches and warnings that we’ll soon start seeing can be confusing.
The National Weather Service does a great job of disseminating weather predictions but sometimes it can be hard to know just what is what.
So, for your future reference, here’s a weather lingo tutorial…
Emergency Hurricane Preparation for RVers
In bad weather, RVs are seriously vulnerable. A sticks and bricks building is always safer. But because an RV, by its very definition, is mobile, it has one huge advantage over most structures: It can – and should! – be moved when there are dangerous weather warnings.
It’s not just hurricanes, of course. There are tornados, wildfires, blizzards, floods, electrical storms, and many other emergency situations that all RVers can encounter. Having an emergency plan and being prepared should be at the top of every RVers priority list.
10 Best Tips for Driving an RV in Strong Winds
I have been stuck in very windy conditions, and it was more of a challenge than I expected. I have never really worried about the weather, but this particular windstorm was like playing tug of war with mother nature.
I learned a lot from that drive and sought to learn more after. So, instead of having to learn firsthand yourself, here are some helpful tips…
How to Not Get Stuck in the Cold! (30+ RV Winter Driving Tips AND Interactive Maps!)
Winter RVing can be a unique and exciting experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Cold temperatures, snowy roads, and limited daylight can all make for a more difficult and dangerous trip.
However, with proper preparation and knowledge, you can safely navigate the winter roads and enjoy all the beauty and serenity of winter camping.
In this blog post, we will share expert tips on how to prepare your RV for winter months, plan your winter RV trip, and drive safely in cold weather conditions. We’ll also provide tips on staying warm and comfortable in your RV during your winter trip.
11 Crucial Emergency Winterization Tips for Campers Caught in Sudden Cold
Another emergency situation you might not think about often is how to handle sudden, extreme cold. Lately, there have been unprecedented cold snaps in places that do not usually experience such weather. This can lead to power outages, frozen pipes, and unsafe heating conditions.
Learn emergency winterization tips to keep you safe in sudden cold situations!
How Do You Know if a Tornado is Coming? (9 RV Safety Tips)
Is a tornado coming? An RV is not a safe place to be during a tornado. Here are warning signs and how to stay safe in the face of a tornado.
Here is my guide to all things tornado! I cover the tornado warning signs and how to stay safe during and after one occurs.
Tornado Safety for RVers: What to Do If There’s a Tornado
When traveling, you do not always know the kinds of weather you’ll run into. You cannot always turn around and outdrive bad weather.
This article outlines what to do if you get caught in tornado weather. Know the life-saving tips that can keep you safe if a tornado hits.
5. Wildlife Encounters & Attacks
If you're lucky, you will get to see all kinds of amazing wildlife during your travels. However, “wild” is in the name for a reason. You must know what to do if you encounter a dangerous animal and be properly prepared for such an occurrence.
And this includes dangerous creepy crawlies! Particularly ticks, snakes, and spiders, although snakes and spiders are more scary-looking than dangerous in most cases.
Careful Camping in Bear Country: What You Need to Know
It's a sad fact of life that there are camping fatalities and injuries every year because of bear attacks.
During peak season, at least one bear every week is put down by game officials somewhere in North America because it strayed into a campground. Unfortunately, most incidents arise because of irresponsible humans who leave food out.
So, this article is to help protect you and the bears whose home we are visiting!
5 Basic Snake Safety Tips Every RVer Needs to Know
Do you know how many U.S. states have venomous snakes? And I’m talking about venomous snakes, not just snakes in general.
If you don’t know, go ahead and take a guess. I can hear your thoughts churning…
Okay, Alaska’s too cold, and several of the northern states are probably too cold, too. All southern states have snakes but do they all have venomous snakes? Hmm, what about Hawaii?
I bet your guess is in the 30s range, right? Yeah, I'm sure there are more states with snakes, but you asked about venomous snakes!
45 Dos and Don’ts of Snake Safety While Camping
ALMOST ALL of the United States is snake country. In fact, 46 of the 50 states are home not only to snakes but venomous snakes. So, it’s important that you and everyone in your travel party learn snake safety.
I covered the basics in a different article, but now I’m going to go into more depth. I’m going to list out the Dos and Don’ts of snake safety.
How to Keep Ticks Off Dogs & Out of Your RV
f you plan to spend the warmer months hiking with your dog, here’s what you need to know to keep yourselves safe.
Learn how to prevent these pests from making your RV their home, especially in the regions where ticks carry serious diseases. And since pets are a big reason ticks can enter your RV, learn how to keep ticks off dogs.
Spiders While Camping: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
There’s no arguing that spiders play an important role in our ecosystem. However, that doesn’t change the fact that some people are flat-out scared of them. And many more simply don’t want to share their RV with spiders.
We’ve compiled some of those tips, as well as the good, the bad, and they ugly spiders you might encounter.
This ebook is a seven-stop guided exploration of the Michigan UP. We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way. Don’t plan your trip to the Upper Peninsula without it!
May 07, 2023at10:24 am, Roger Bohnke said:
What about satellite based SOS units? The Spot or Garmin InReach, just two of many examples, are invaluable if you’re in trouble out of cell phone reach. The new iPhone 14 also has satellite SOS capability built in. It comes with a free 2 year subscription. They trigger SOS calls to 24/7 staffed global emergency response teams as long as you have a view of the sky. Depending on the unit, you can also text with the responders and send messages to a limited number of personal contacts.
May 08, 2023at10:50 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for adding this to the discussion, Roger! Team RV Lifestyle