Being in the woods at night is the start of just about every horror movie. Of course you only realized this after agreeing to go camping with some friends. Lucky for you camping is a very safe pastime enjoyed by millions every year. While it is extremely safe the remote nature of camping does require some caution and preparation for camping self defense. Every year there are news stories of crimes committed in campground and on the trails. Here’s a few things you can do to protect yourself while camping.
Be Prepared for Injuires Weather and Wildlife
While inevitably our mind always goes to the murderer in the woods. People are far from the biggest threat to your safety while camping. Seemingly minor injuries can be come major problems when in remote areas and care can not be reached. Severe weather can destroy shelters and cause falling branches while cold weather can cause hypothermia rather quickly if unprepared. While wildlife is less of a concern than injury or weather no one wants a bear visiting your tent in search of a midnight snack.
Do Not Camp Alone
The simplest form of camping self defense is to not be an easy target. The most obvious way to become a more difficult target is to not be alone. Even just two people makes things much more complicated for a attacker. What if one gets away to alert other campers or authorities. If you must or insist on camping alone it may be best to bear the additional weight and use a 2 person tent. This at least opens to possibility for there to be two people in the tent.
Camp Near Other Groups
While we get out in nature to get away. That isolation can also open the door for those with bad intentions. Even if you are with a partner, camping near other groups provides protection in numbers. This doesn’t mean being right next to others or joining camps. Being within earshot is enough to ensures calls for help will be heard. When selecting sites around other groups try to ensure there are at least two separate groups. This will increase the likelihood that calls for help will be heard and prevent being isolated next to a person or group that may mean harm.
Select a Defensible Site
While sharpening sticks and setting up home alone boobytraps would be fun that’s not what we mean when selecting a defensible site. This may be better titled select a deterrent site but defensible sounds better. We do not want anyone to sneak up on us in the night or while we are around camp. Site selection can help with this greatly. Sites with one entrance and exit allow you to predict where someone would be coming from. Loose rocky ground or leaf litter and twigs along the entrance will help to insure anyone who approaches will be heard. Also having some level of cover or privacy from the trail such as bushes can also prevent a possible attacker from even knowing you are there if they pass by after dark.
Camping Self Defense Items
Even with doing all the above steps to prevent an attacker from selecting you as a target and being able to approach your camp. You need to be prepared to fight back. Carrying items that can aid you in an altercation is your last line of defense. Pepper spray and stun guns are main stay’s among self defense instruction and should be considered for camping self defense also. They are small light and easily packable. Hand held and key chain weapons such as monkey fist or self defense rings can be easily held on your person at all times and increase your ability to fight back.
While camping there are many uses for a knife of some kind from cutting paracord to shaving down wood for kindling. Select a knife that can also be used to defend yourself should the need arise. This may mean picking a slightly larger knife or one with a handle that is easier to grip than your grandpas pocket knife.