I'll be RVing with my better half a part of the time,but during another part of the time I'll be alone (she will have to be back in her country) and, of course I'll use these periods to go to the most remote places which I do prefer.
The question is how to minimize the risks being alone, for example in the desert, and mainly, how to call for help in case of accident? In the two different situations:
1- In a zone with cell phone coverage.
2- In a zone without cell phone coverage.In this case, does it exist a kind of radio system which connects to the cell phone?

Wow, that's a HUGE question.

I wouldn't even know where to begin.

If you want communication beyond cell coverage, about all that's left is either satellite phone or satellite internet.

Personal safety might include a firearm and/or repellant of some kind with the hope you'd never need either. A firearm could also be used for hunting (food).

Appropriate clothing for your surroundings.

A good first aid kit, maybe snake bite kit?, maybe something like Benedryl (which I need for multiple fire ant stings.)

Definitely need to be mindful of your potable water supply. Depending upon where you are, there are ways, whether purification, evaporation, etc. You just need to be mindful as you can't last long without it.

If you have a friend you could check in with at regular intervals, that would be a good thing. Something like once a week at least lets someone know you're ok that often.

If you're in a truck & trailer or motorhome, the stuff to take care of minor problems would be in order... roof sealant, duct tape, basic tools, fluids, spare tire(s), belts, hoses, jacks, easy stuff. Or, perhaps a motorcycle or even a bicycle(?) if you need to get out faster and the rig can't or won't move.

A good healthy sized fire extinguisher (or two or three) seems like a good thing to have around as there wouldn't be a fire department close by.

Like I said, it's a huge subject. Anything in particular you were thinking of?? More specific might get more conversation going. And I know there are a lot of experienced boondockers here.

Brian

Like Brian said it is a potentially huge subject.

I noticed from your other posts that you are not from the U.S. A lot of the current cell phones used here have a built in GPS signal that is activated when the 911 emergency telephone number is dialed. On some phones, that feature can be turned on and off. When camping alone, I always make sure that it is turned on.

There are emergency beacons commonly used by pilots and boaters that transmit to satellite, but they are pretty pricey.

Here's a few other general precautions that I take:

1) Put some kind of identifying mark, letters or numbers of good size on the RV roof so someone looking from the air will know it is you. Make sure that those you may be depending on to miss you and send help know how the RV is marked.

2) When going into an area with no cell phone coverage note where you lost the signal and the shortest/quickest way to get back there.

3) Do like pilots and boaters, let somebody know of your plans. Tell them where you are going, where and how long you think you will be staying and set a schedule for checking back in and stick to it even if you have to travel back to a spot where you can get communications.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TCW,

Glock, shotgun, satellite phone, dog.

Since I am a SOLO and like to boondock alone, I opted to get the SPOT messenger. I have blogged a couple of times about it....even great just for hiking or traveling in the car. It's connected to satellite, has an OK check-in function (which I use to let family know where I am and that I'm okay) plus a HELP button that sends email to two designated folks (my son uses a Blackberry) and I have my Coach-Net info there plus the 911 button where emergency help would be dispatched to the GPS address.

http://lilypad.froggilady.com/2008/03/can-you-find-me-now.html

http://lilypad.froggilady.com/2008/05/spot-me.html

quote:

Originally posted by Froggi Donna:
Since I am a SOLO and like to boondock alone, I opted to get the SPOT messenger.

Thanks for this information! What a fabulous device! I just about fainted when I saw that it's available in Canada for the same cost as in the US. I'm definitely going to get one of those.

Donna,

Great information! Certainly a better deal (cost and service wise) than the Epirbs.

I looked at the website of the manufacturer and had one question it did not seem to address. Does it give you any indication when it can not acquire a satellite? I have had a couple of hand held GPS units and they were pretty poor in forested areas and canyon country. I understand some of the newer units are better.

Thanks for sharing this information.

I am a solo and boondock alot, also. If I had to chose between having my computer, t.v., Sirius, cell phone or Spot; the Spot would win hands down.

Froggi knows a lot more than I, so take her word for it.

You might consider getting an amateur radio license. Then a good quality 2m radio or 440 and you will probably never be out of range for getting some help.

The license is relatively easy to acquire and not expensive at all. You used to have to pass a Morse code requirement but that is no longer in effect.

Or some of the FRS radios have some decent ranges on them.

Good luck.

HamRad

Any GPS device with the SiRFIII chipset in it will perform well in forest and canyons. The difference between the old devices is remarkable. My SiRFIII "mouse" GPS will pick up 3-5 sats INSIDE my 5th wheel in the middle of the living room. It aquires sats so fast that as soon as I click GPS in Street Atlas it is there....no waiting.

Another thing that you need to know: even if you are out of range to any towers at all, if you dial 911 the signal will be bounced to your home area tower and it marks your location of where that call was made with Lat/Lon, help would then be directed to the location of the call. george

quote:

Originally posted by George1:
Another thing that you need to know: even if you are out of range to any towers at all, if you dial 911 the signal will be bounced to your home area tower and it marks your location of where that call was made with Lat/Lon, help would then be directed to the location of the call. george

If you are out of range of any towers how can the signal be bounced? I'm hoping you are right but I don't see how that can be.

Linda

Thanks a lot Froggi Donna, this Spot device is absolutely perfect and it will be my first purchase arriving in the States (just after the MH)

quote:

Originally posted by George1:
Another thing that you need to know: even if you are out of range to any towers at all, if you dial 911 the signal will be bounced to your home area tower and it marks your location of where that call was made with Lat/Lon, help would then be directed to the location of the call. george

George, that is just not accurate. If you are out of range of any tower there is no tower to receive the tiny signal from your phone.

Actually, I kinda like HamRad's idea. I hadn't thought about a 2m or 440 radio but it might be an alternative I might look into.

How much power would you think you'd have to put behind a radio like that to feel confident in getting enough range to connect in some of the farther out places one might wander? (Just wondering if it could happen reliably with a handheld or whether it would take more than that.

I'm way out of my field of expertise but interested in your thoughts.

(I really should go ahead and take that test and befriend and Elmer, aye?) :-)

Brian