Emergency Boondocking

[Ray Eklund]

Most RV and Trailer owners are comfortable with full hookups and cable television access. A swimming pool, laundry facilities, showers, local restaurants, security, fenced RV Park wtih minimal entry access after hours, sometimes security on bicycles and a long list of other amenities.

That is fine with me. You have to do what you need and want.

During an emergency, an uncontrolled fire, a regional power failure, natural disaster… then what? Serious Boondocking depends on what you have brought within your Airstream. This could be a day, a week or an extended period of time.

If you are not interested. Quit reading. I was going to bring up examples, but thought it wise not to. Being among groups can be a very interesting experience of who those you can depend upon, and those you cannot. The unprepared will be standing at your door immediately wanting your help.

Being able, prepared and capable to attach your Airstream and be self sufficient is one benefit of ownership. Nancy is in charge of the interior of the trailer, food, clothing, bedding and anything else that goes within the living quarters.

I am in charge of the tow vehicle, exterior operations of the trailer, water, fuel, tools and anything not going inside the trailer. Often the trailer is outfitted for a quick exit, if a situation forces us to make a move. Forest fires are common place today. Monsoon flooding between June to August. Power outages. Closed roads. Any number of situations where an Off the Grid experienced Boondocker can manage to get by for as long as necessary.

This can occur while already... Boondocked... and at any hour.

Many will laugh at the thought. They are also those needing help from you when the need arises.

We are never embarrassed to live the life of Paupers while camped. We have hardware, tools, one Solar Panel, various batteries, shovels and an assortment of self sustaining tools. Empty containers that can be utilized anywere and at any time.

It takes composure and confidence to make good decsions during stressful events. It takes little effort to put a list together, printed out and used every time you go camping. Check, check and check what is on board, and what is not. Pets... have their own needs. Food is always the most important.

When someone says roughing it in their Airstream is stressful and daring... you have to hold back your laughing. We each are living in a Manhattan Apartment with everything you need...if you are prepared. If this knowledge never is needed. Great. The Boy Scouts used to say Be Prepared. I hope so. We use to be.

Being the brightest in a group is not a benefit. You must be the most self sufficient in times like these.

[rmkrum]

Good points, Ray. The Boy Scouts, in spite of the changes they are going through, still believe in, teach, and to a great extent, live the "Be Prepared" motto...

There is a 'reasonable level of preparation" and there is the full-blown "All-out Prepper" syndrome. I suggest there is a reasonable middle ground based on the following observations:

In a case of "emergency boondocking" there are some essentials that you will want along. They include shelter, clothing, food, and water. These are the things you will need to sustain life. FEMA suggests materials sufficient to sustain life for 72 hours. Depending upon where you live, that could be reasonable, or pitifully inadequate. If you believe the gummint will be there for you, in a timely manner, to assure your safety, you apparently have not been paying attention to the lingering bad results of the last four or five natural disasters...that have yet to be resolved fully, nor fixed in time to handle the very NEXT natural disaster in the same spot.

So, what to do? First, do your research. Where do you live? What are the possible natural disasters in or near your area? How dispersed are your family members? How badly will others involved in a local catastrophe behave? Where and how far might you have to go to escape or mitigate the results of a disaster? When you can quantify these answers, then you have the beginnings of a clue as to what you need to do to "Be Prepared".

Always keep in mind that the Boy Scout teachings on "Be Prepared" emphasize the mental and physical skills you need to have BEFORE the other 'stuff' you might need. Think first--that blob of spongy nervous tissue is not there to occupy the voids in your skull. It's there to guide your survival, and "Be Prepared" starts right there...inside your brain.

And, as I am wont to say, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way..."

Think about it, and contribute to the discussion in a reasoned manner, please...

[nvestysly]

Ray, you always come up with something interesting to discuss.

While not specifically prepared for all emergencies we do make an effort to be generally prepared at both home and in the RV. Some of our supplies are suitable for both home and RV.

We keep the propane topped off and batteries in good working condition.

During warm weather months we always have fresh water in the RV tank and black and gray are empty - ready to hit the road.

The fuel tank in the Class B motorhome as well as the fuel tank in the tow vehicle for our trailer are topped off ready to go.

We always keep bottled water in the motorhome as well as the tow vehicle.

In the event of a true emergency we could easily grab the storm supplies from our basement and hop in the RV and have food, water, limited clothing, a weather radio, first aid kit, etc. that would last us nearly a week.

We have given thought to how we would navigate from a very urban area to a more rural area if the need presented itself.

We're nowhere near the "prepper" category but we feel we are reasonably prepared if necessary.

on edit... we have joked that in an emergency what we need is more fuel than the next guy. Kinda like being chased by a bear - you don't have to outrun the bear, just outrun your friend!