VAN LIFE | PARKING + SOLO FEMALE SAFETY
Is it safe to travel alone on the road? As a female?? I get this question ALL the time. Here’s what I can tell you after two years of living on the road :) #Vanlife #Safety #Travel
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Hey :) I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. As a semi-minimalist, I eventually decided to donate/sell most of my belongings and move into my 4x4 Nissan Xterra. After 14 months of SUV living and falling madly in love with the open road - I bought a van and hired a team to build it out. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world on a whole new level, all while having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐
*My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 14K miles*
I'm a retired police officer and can guarantee that safety truly is never guaranteed but risks can be mitigated. A great informative blog. I've seen a few of these and this was the best.. common sense is everything
Ah that means a lot, thank you. Also - thank YOU for your service 😌🙏🏻
!!!!
@Irish Bucket List Book haha that's a good tip indeed 🐶
@Irish Bucket List Book Scam Dude that is genius... Run the air conditioner cold for extra realism... and Christine can tape X's over her eyes🤔
Hi from Toronto Canada . please please be safe ..
I worked for ADT Security Systems for 19 years and I've seen many victims of many crimes. And after installing the alarm or having fixed the alarm. I always offer Tips on safety and one thing I tell people (especially women) is that when you're speaking to anyone (a man or a woman), always speak as if your 'Special Forces boyfriend' is right beside you. Avoid saying words like: I, Me, My, Mine. Instead: use words like: We, Us, Our, Ours. Instead of saying: "I do this because I love the freedom". You would say: "We do this because we love the freedom and it really works for us". I think you get the point.
that is great advice
how would you reframe it for males?
@@manp1039 I would not reframe it at all.
@@manp1039 "my gay partner and i"
As a Veteran I would be like oh yea what unit lol
I appreciate you and your perspective Thank you for your compact presentation. I'm a 75 year old widower of 13 months. Sold the house and car, took my wife's Dachshund, bought a cozy RV 10 months ago and hit the road to reconnect head and heart. So far, so good. Stay safe.
Good for you Don. Enjoy yourself!
Wow I love this! I hope you have the safest and best time of your life 🥰
That sounds like such a great idea. I hope you reconnect and do things that bring you happiness during your travels. Be well.
Love u
Don, go strong and enjoy!
I lived alone in a studio apartment for a while, and I practiced a lot of these. I had a male neighbor who was very interested in my comings and goings. I was not nice to him, and eventually, I had to tell him to leave me alone. My exact words were "Could you just stop bothering me". The situation was very unbalanced because he knew where my apartment was, but I didn't know where his was. It is possible I was mean to a totally harmless guy, but I also may have been keeping myself safe from a crazy person. Living alone as a female can be dangerous no matter where you live.
It isn't being mean, it's creating and establishing boundaries. Lots of Men in this country still believe a woman should be thrilled to talk to a guy. Smh. Thanks care of yourself and establish safety protocols to follow.
Having a rolling house gives you escape options.
You have to be direct....nothing was wrong with what you said.
This is why I'm glad I have my dogs. They sound very vicious and bark loud when someone is outside. It definitely makes people think twice about breaking in. Also, I had my brother record his voice on my iPhone with a few different phrases, like "Get the F-- outta here!" etc. I can play them loud and it sounds pretty real. Sounds cheesy, but it works!
COOL trick!!!
Great idea! Thanks :)
Wow great idea.
Ah, the Home Alone Trick! Brilliant. :-)
I'm def going to get my dad to record his voice now! He's a teddy bear but you wouldnt know by his voice.
On the password thing - you should mention that it’s best not to “ask for a password” but rather, ask a preplanned question, like “how’s the weather tonight” which would be responded to by your password like “blue” or whatever, so a presumed captor is not aware they are being challenged.
I was thinking the same thing. That way your Mom could dispatch emergency services to your location, without putting you in physical danger.
That’s a great idea 🙏🏻 thanks for sharing!
Agreed! I also think that's important so that the captor couldn't just search "Password" in your text history and find the answer.
I would like to my share my strategy with you: Friends and family can check if I'm ok simply asking : How is Susan? Answer needs to be "there is no Susan" plus one information I know about them but a stranger would not know. "Fine" would mean "send cops" Me and my girls use this all the time when one of us is dating.
@@claire6358 that's a great point too
Loved your thoughts on personal safety while out on the road traveling. This is excellent advice for women and men. Situational awareness is key to your safety. I was in Arizona in 1986 and drove into a boondock campground. There was a bunch of scuzzy looking people there so I decided to leave and drove to Sedona about 20 miles away for the night. The next day I bought a newspaper and there was an article about a murder in that spooky campground later in the evening after I left. Glad I listened to my gut feelings that day.
woah that’s crazy 😳
Book Recommendation: The Gift of Fear. Trust your Gut!!
*SO* many tips I've not seen in others' vlogs. 👍 I'll add... Secure the van before you go to bed so that no door can be opened even if someone pops the locks or breaks a window. Think deadbolts and chains for example. I like having a secure bulkhead with a door so I can easily get into the driver's seat without going outside but I can also use it to secure the living space. • Cameras that allow you to see all around the van, with flood lights for night. I have what I call panic buttons... one push and all the outside lights come on and a siren goes off. • Hidden GPS tracking, for the van and for you. • Kill switch so someone can't start the vehicle. • Not for everyone but I also have a sat phone as I'm often in areas without basic cell service. There are cheaper devices for emergency usage. • A safe that can't be removed when locked (bolted to the floor from the inside, or welded). • Duplicates or copies of important documents located elsewhere, not in the vehicle. • Who to contact, if you are incapacitated or the vehicle is deemed abandoned for a period, clearly posted for police to find. • For those traveling with a pet... I wear a jewelry dog tag that says I have a dog in my van, with model and plate# - in case something happens to me. Oh, make sure you have a basic emergency medical kit, and know how to use it. And, a fire extinguisher also makes a good weapon. Pre van life I used one by blasting the intruder with the foam then cracking his skull by hitting him on the head with it. Believe me, he won't get up.
After my Dad passed & I would pick Mom up for a shopping trip she would be getting into the car & waving back at the empty house, yelling 'Be back soon'. I asked what she was doing & she said she wanted it to look like there was someone still in the house. This was in L.A. & we had some break ins (another story). Anyway now years later I am waving good bye to my house's guardian angel...lol
That is amazing. So sweet, thank you for sharing ❤️
@@ChristianSchaffer Yes, one of my friends always sets up two chairs outside when she is alone and has a man's baseball cap on front dash.
Mom would also leave my Dad's police hat out to be seen & his shoes on the door step. Sad but true...
😂😂😂I thought that was my trick. I lived on a large isolated farm. I do lots of random 'angry yelling' 😐😐😐
I do that when uber picks me up! I’ll pretend to yell at someone and say I’m leaving!
Very good tips. To complement the first tip: do all the walking in and out of the van stuff, at another place, then drive up to the parking place where you're going to sleep in stealth mode (window covers up), and stay in till the next morning.
Yes!! So important. Totally forgot to mention that - thanks for adding it here 😊🙏🏻
Yes!!! What an important way of thinking. Even that, I see lots of people here arriving to their over-night parking spots and I know what they are up to. Specially if their eyes goes to the size of plates out of susbiciousness when they see me walking by. Hah, then they determinate that the solo female walking away from their van is most likely harmless creature 😁 It would freak them out if I wish them sweet dreams, probably 😀 But I am quite observant.
good idea
Spot on. Probably the most important tip. Even a safe area you don't want to draw attention to yourself. Best to do anything at a different site and just drive up to sleep I agree
Rudi van Doornegat VERY sensible!
You definitely have got a good solid grasp of "street smarts". Living the life let me add a few things. Your keys you should put in the same spot everynight. The ignition key is separated from the rest of the keys so that when you lay them down you naturally feel it in your fingers. You leave the keys out where they are on the way to the steering wheel so as you move to jump into the drivers seat it is one smooth practiced motion of picking up the key and sliding into the seat ready to start & go. You could leave the key in the ignition, but when I am stealth camping I do not want anyone shining a light inside and seeing keys. That is an invitation to steal the vehicle, but it also tells them there is someone inside and maybe you want to stay stealthy! The blackout curtains are great, but my practice when residential areas or designated parking areas is to set them up before I get to the parking spot. So I just pull in and can sit behind the wheel observing if anyone is paying attention to me. Nothing says living in a vehicle like parking and setting up window curtains for the nosey busy body looking out there windows. From time to time you should walk around the vehicle at night to see if light is getting out from the window coverings because they do get old and leak light to the outside.
As a 30 year retired combat arms vet, I compliment you on what we call "situational awareness". I think you would be pretty hard to sneak up and & pretty dangerous if someone did.
I too am a combat/retired/disabled vet. I’m 63 right now and can’t wait to try this lifestyle.
I love how open and honest you are about this. So many women don't talk about safety, because we are taught to act like everything is fine. Be safe, no matter what. Listen to what she says, crazy always scares away the crazy men. So be ready to kick arse.
I really respect anyone who has knuckle dusters in their arsenal. ;) I think a clever idea when you enter your van is to enter on the passenger side and just sit in the passenger seat for a second. Makes it look like you are the passenger and that there are at least two people in the van. Cheers from Vancouver
ooo that is a great tip!! thank you for sharing 😊🙏🏻
But it also draws attention. Especially if someone watching you to see who the van belongs to & how many people are present. Not in a good way.
Wow this is an awesome idea. I know that I personally am very surprised and take note if I see a non-uniformed woman get into the driver’s seat of any sort of large truck. Getting into the passenger seat would be very smart in densely populated areas.
And if there is any doubt upon arriving to the van the person can yell, "OK Peter you will take over and drive in an hour" or "Sorry Peter they didnt have what you wanted." Same as getting out to get gas, "Hey Robert do you need anything?" After reading this I really miss Europe where it is a lot safer and guns and much of that are not needed. Stay safe!
super zdravko that is a SUPER tip! Thank you.
I'll admit, at first I was like, "oh geez, another cute blonde vanlifer!"... But then I watched the video, and loved her no-nonsense attitude regarding fear and safety. Right on point, sis! Long may you travel in truth, beauty...and safety!❤️
@@sharpiesarecool814 sjw, it sounds exactly like what it is - this person has seen the other several dozen ‘cute blonde vanlifers’ that have nothing to say but rely on their bikini to get them ‘likes’, and is relieved to find an intelligent professional who knows how to communicate and produce value. I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment.
@@BukkaLevy What's your problem with girls in bikini? Are you catholic or somethin'
@@lafemme4331 definitely no problem, but I like intelligence and value even more which is why I come to this channel.
Great safety advice for anyone. I wasn’t going to watch this as a guy but glad I did. Sharing this with GF and daughter.
Haha, hi there, van beach life here, I have a friend that kept telling me to look on your channel and haha he's kind of a pervy dude around the beach area so I was like nah I don't like the name of that and here you are and you look amazing!
The weird feelings you get, they are 100% real. You have that sixth sense built in and it worked. If it's sketchy, get out and get away. Smart lady here!
Totally agree on that gut feeling. I avoided a mugging by 2 males in a dark parking lot when I sensed them overtaking my area near my car as I was loading groceries. Shut the trunk fast, grabbed the cart and darted back to store entrance before they could get to me. Had I wasted time and opened front car door they would have had me. The cart would have made a good barrier to and ram rod. Lol stay out there!
@@salboa smart move. There is another important thing to be mindful off when driving on the highway.. if vehicle or vehicles ride along your side and do not pull back or ahead of you.. there is a chance they could try to hit your car to cause you to pull over to deal with a collision in which case if you are in a remote highway.. they may have set you up for an ambush.. I would either slow my car down or speed up to keep them from being directly along the side of my car.. Also, some cars might be working in groups.. they might put on cars on either side of your car.. that either collide with your car to force you to pull over or they may speed up to vector to block you from going forward. It is extremely unsafe to ride alongside of a car at freeway speeds or in general even. because a small vere could ver right into the car and there is very little or no buffer. I was on a remote freeway going from California to Arizona.. and two cars suddenly lined up along both sides of my car and stayed there for several seconds.. my gut instinct to was to remove myself from that pincer. I also always like to cover my center council and seat and floor in front of front seats with something block or dark to hide what i have from sight. including accessories or radios or other things. It just makes my vehicle riskier with less info on what reward they might get fro breaking a window.. there could be nothing under the material or visual block/screen.
"Safety is never really guaranteed". Soooooo smart!
😉🤙🏼
and so true
I'm retired PD. Always know your location. 911 will do no good if you don't know where to send them.
Cops cant find someone using the phone GPS?
@@manuellopaganelli9123 they dont even need gps. Soft triangulates by signal. Even on turned off phones. You would have to remove battery but they dont make phones that way anymore. We are all beiing tracked by super ai owned by satan
@@manuellopaganelli9123 Officer here. It is not always reliable. Always say your location, sometimes the system can't get a good lock and it shows an enormous area. I've had that several times where the caller was miles away from where it showed. Always tell 911 your location as best you can.
own a gun. faster than a cop responding to a 911 call.
Use What Three Words, that identifies your location down to a 3m square (10ft).
I’m a 65 year old single grandfather who likes to get out camping by by myself. I’ve seen some pretty sketchy spots I wouldn’t want to my daughter to be by herself. This video is an amazing tutorial for women or men. I’m retired but still work part time with our local Sheriff Office and your vid is absolutely on point, actually a lot of the same things I tell women and other elderly folks. Keep plenty of weapons stashed close and be very familiar and comfortable with them, especially a firearm. Just discovered your channel and love it ❤️
Over 30 years ago I lived in a van with my wife and I've seen thousands of miles on the road ! As a young woman of to-day you have got it right down - your safety tips should be the holy grail of all van dwellers, not only females. We were once attacked by hijackers who tried to scam us by signalling that we had a puncture to get us to stop. We'd heard about this scam from other travellers so it's important to spread the news and be informed - thanks for a great video!
I got scammed by some man like that when I was in my 20s, about 30 years ago. I pulled over then got away...very creepy.
I've seen so many "solo female van life safety" videos and this, hands down, is the best and makes me feel more secure and comfortable on wanting to pursue van life!! Thank you for this info girl !!
Aw thank you!! That means a lot - just knowing it might help you get out there and pursue this lifestyle 💕 thanks for the love!
So true: by far the best!
@@ChristianSchaffer I'm sure you would also make the best video about good/safe places to park. One hot tip: hospitals with their 24-hour bathrooms. Someone may even have parked at a hotel and brazenly used the lobby bathrooms/wifi 😵
Yes, far The Best video of the subject!!! And not only for female solo travellers, but for everybody!
How ironic, that the most common danger for a human is another human.
Indeed. Unless we're talking mountain lions 👀
Yes, and I’m a 58 year old male and ironic that some men ruin it for so many! We seem to have lost our outrage.
LOl Where have you been for the last 100k years. We have no natural predator, but ourselves.
kzhead.info/sun/eJeEZbaNi5qgp68/bejne.html
you mean the most common danger for a female is a male. Women dont walk around physically attacking men.
I had a contract with someone who wanted their van converted into nice van life set up. I was halfway through the project. I ended up getting a call later one day that the guy who hired me got stabbed in his van and they took his stuff. Thank you for sharing this video for everyone.
These are such goods tips. I particularly like the wi-fi name tip ...never would have crossed my mind to think about that! Couple of other thoughts is to leave two pairs of shoes outside the van while camped and an extra coat or hoodie hanging over the passenger seat and an extra to-go coffee cup on the passenger side (can be empty).
Those are good ones - I always have at least two coffee cups up front because I drink so much of it ha, so that one is covered 🤓
my wifi name is always my phone's CPU model lmfao like SD720G maybe that will demotivate alot of people
Bonjour ! Yes, she give very good advices with simple words and clear explaination. In France, nobody is talking like this, nobody speak for the community. There is one thing l didn't understand, is the wifi stuff. Can you tell me exactly what is it ? Thank you very much.
@@xavier11963 Hey, the WiFi thing is that in the US (probably other places too), you can connect to WiFi through your phone by making the phone a hotspot. When you make a hotspot, you give it a name as you would your network at home. Her suggestion is to name it something that doesn't easily identify you as a solo female, like 'Cat Mom,' and instead is discreet, like the other person mentioned their phone's CPU. Hope that helps!
@@loucipher7782 not necessarily. I'd say it's a common for women to GENERALLY (not trying to be sexist, just saying it's still a generality) that women are less techie than men. So leaving the wi-fi as something that looks like the default I would say is usually assumed to be a women's setup.
For 5yrsl lived in a stealth van while working as a nurse at city hospital, mainly staying in parking areas at the many beaches within 15 minutes of my work.I finished work at 11pm, so would go straight to bed. I never had any bad experiences. Always be aware of your surroundings, park nose out so you can make a fast getaway, wear night clothes that could be worn outside (tee shirt & leggings) you don’t want to be naked or looking for clothes. Keep your phone charged beside the bed with keys and penlight torch. I really miss the beautiful views I woke up to each day..I have been in a house the last 10yrs but want another van.
Could probably live in the parking lot/ramp too. Multiple students have lived on campus in a parking lot etc
I'm a 74 year old female, and have recently "discovered" that there are people who actually choose to live in vans (I've been enthused about "tiny house" living for about a year or so, so just happened to run across van life in my tiny research). While I've seen several "how to live small safely" videos, I found this to be the most broad spectrum, helpful of what I've found. Thank you for sharing this great "how to" video!
Wow, great info here. You are obviously very well grounded & an alert traveler. As a young woman, in my 20s, I traveled solo xCountry for several months & I did lots of other shorter regional solo trips, sleeping in my car, my tent, backpacking, etc. The surprising thing was finding out that so many others -couples, older people, -were watching out for me. ( I usually found this out in the mornings or at a rest stop) The kindness & awareness of strangers is also a beautiful thing! If we all stay aware of our surroundings, we are all safer.
Everything you said is so relatable! For years I had a city office job where a lot of times I was the last one there & sometimes closed up in the dark. I was even expected to be left alone with a male I.T. repair person after hours. I live in a rural'ish setting and have had trespassers or been stolen from. Some years back I traveled cross country (mostly solo) for sometime. I did so much of what you said including used common sense & situational awareness. I felt far more safe on the road & camping in bear country than around people or sometimes in my own home. I'm often made fun of by men AND WOMEN on how cautious I am.These are people who leave doors & vehicles unlocked and valuables in site. Thank you, Great channel, and happy travels!
great video. I'm a guy, who often travels alone and sleeping in my van between art shows and photography. Good tips for both male and females. thank you
kzhead.info/sun/eJeEZbaNi5qgp68/bejne.html
Posting adventures on social media after they've taken place as opposed to immediately is an overlooked safety precaution. There are countless people of all kinds from the internet and only people you are close to in person can be trusted. Safety and well being is top priority regardless of whether its unfriendly to not give away your location. It takes one moment of weakness to doom your entire existence. You've earned yourself another subscriber.
This definitely crossed my mind, if i were to ever vlog my experience somewhere it would only be posted after the fact
I’m a new solo camper and I recently realized just how conditioned we are to be afraid. Movies promote and exacerbate fear, which can derail our natural instincts! It takes focus to use our discernment to decide if we’re actually getting the intuition that something is amiss, versus a fear triggered by a subconscious remembering of a scene in a movie. It really is importantly stay grounded and in the present moment. Yes, situational awareness (not fear) is key. Great video. 🙏
I almost skipped this video and so glad I didn’t! I loved how you busted the myth of 100% risk-free living being attainable anywhere. Yet you did point out sensible precautions that we all could take. Well done!
thanks for watching ☺️🙏🏻
Absolutely loved this! Some great tips and particularly loved your outlook ❤️
aw thank you! also, your videos are awesome - just subbed 😊💕
@@ChristianSchaffer Please allow me to find a companion for my travels around the world with my Motor Home, and I will take care of all financial matters. I just want a companion to share me on the road, and we can agree on where to start the trip and where it ends
hey I know you. Love your video's.
Really great tips! I travel in my Avalanche with my dogs frequently (not living in it) but when I went through that stretch of Utah (Green River and Salina) I pulled off the road in the middle of nowhere, to let my dogs out. Literally NO ONE was around, because I make a quick survey of any area I stop in. I was about 100 yards away from my truck, when some creepy dude out of nowhere in a creepy old van, stopped and asked if I was ok. He was looking at me up and down slowly...my stomach got this sick feeling. He was just staring at me for a while, looking around. I really thought my life was going to end at that moment. Then my 2 pitbulls came running from around the bend, and he took off. I honestly never felt so vulnerable in all my life, alone, no weapon. Very scary people in this world. Please be careful! I now always take a gun and keep it on me at all times after that.
"When seconds count, help is just minutes away."
Yes, there are many predators out there and they are good at what they do. I'm so glad you're safe and your dogs were there to protect you. It was a valuable lesson learned. Safe travels!!
Wow!! God spared your life girl. So happy you had your dogs with you 🐾
This why i think dogs are the best option. They can never be turnes against you
As a solo male, that has traveled to over 100 countries, I commend your bravery and sense of adventure. At 6 foot 3, and 220 pounds, I have been fearful at times. I have never been robbed or assaulted in 35 years of travel. Great advice in your video, stay safe young lady!!
Your life is one I dream of living one day.
Preach it, sister....learned the hard way years ago when I was a young career girl living in an apartment by myself...go with your gut, no matter how ridiculous it may feel at the time. My cat alerted to something outside even the blinds were ALMOST closed and it was dark...stupid on my part, everyone knows cats can see in the dark. Dismissed it at the time, and well...yeah. Had been being watched, and paid the price. NO woman can be too careful!
"Stay rude stay alive" Yess. I lived in my car for about 3 years when i was in my young 20s out of necessity so all of those tips, esp as a solo female, you gave are exactly 100% good shit to be aware of. Im in a much better place in my life now (at 31) and have been considering either a tiny house build or a van build. Still in the early stage of weighing the pros and cons though. Great video!
I just found your channel and enjoy the information you are sharing. I am retired and traveling the country in a Class B van as well, so I relish any and all information. I worked 31 years in law enforcement, in some of the worst ghettos in Los Angeles, California. When I saw the title of your video I thought I could offer some tips, but quite frankly you did an awesome job of articulating common sense safety practices. If I could just elaborate on one of your tips; when you see someone paying a little extra attention to you, make sure you make eye contact with that person. No need to be aggressive or confrontational, make it more of a “I see you” contact. Most criminals are cowards. They look for the easy mark,,,,when you make eye contact they will more often than not move off of you and look for a new mark. Thanks for your videos Christian; keep up the great work.
What's the nastiest street in LA? If I ever go there I want to avoid it
@@christinarobleto1786 Between 3rd St to 7th St and Main St to Alameda St. That is the area known as skid row and filled with over 4000 homeless.
Awesome feedback Mr. Wilkins, Thank you.
That is an awesome advice, thanks
@@markwilkins9048 omg 4000 homeless. Bloody hell. I'm Australian, I thought it was bad we had about 1000 in Sydney. Come travel here. Your safe, no guns, and we have great free camping sites where your safe as we join the nomad travel site and eveyone looks after each other safety wise. I would love to travel the US, but I'm scared of the gun violence and desperate homeless drug addicts. No offence.
Good for you for not living in fear and using simple common sense.
yes, you can't let fear control you that would be a shame because then you would miss out on life itself.
This is great advice for everyone male and female. The best part of owning a van is you can leave and go anywhere. If you even have a bad feeling just move, don't take any risks
Yeah, I honestly feel safer being able to relocate at anytime rather than be a sitting duck in a house or apartment where strangers have the opportunity to observe my habits/comings and goings 🕵🏼♀️
Smart, talented, pretty and wise beyond your years. Even at 77 years of age I've learned much watching your videos.
Woohoo, and she's back again! Love that jump! Yeah, better a life lived doing what you like than just keep that fear and don't do it!
Thanks friend, you set a great example of living life to the fullest 😊🙌🏼
Great stuff for anyone on the road in general! One really simple defense if you think somebody is creeping around outside the van (around minute 9+00) or is approaching you as you're getting to the van is just hit the alarm button on the car remote. Easy, available, and will surprise an intruder and draw unwanted attention that may just make them want to leave.
As a self defense/jiu-jitsu instructor, I would say everything you mentioned is very wise. I would also keep a knife handy somewhere on my body. As a female, I would also consider training in jiu jitsu because learning how to defend yourself from chokes and on the the ground is vital, especially for a female, who is most likely to be smaller and/or weaker than a male.
I already had the impression from the video that she already has some martial arts training.
It seems so many (especially ladies) have upper-body weakness. It's "startling" and amazing when they do NOT. We should ALL work on that!
Plus Krav Maga, where JJ doesn't overlap.
Great advice from Dojo Mark. Also consider getting a CCW.
Dojo mark NO NO NO!!!! definitely not!! Brazillian Ju Jitsu is a SPORT a sport that trains you to take someone to the ground, to subdue them to win points in a SPORTING ENVIRONMENT. conducted under the umbrella of a sanitized event with refrees judges doctors and etiquette. Out on the street, in a dark alleyway, on a deserted footpath, in a parking lot, or somewhere you shouldnt be at the wrong place at the wrong time you do not have those luxuries. I am a longtime martial artist with Jujitsu grades, Karate grades, kickboxing, lauGar Kung fu and Wing Chun experience. Going to the ground in a live situation is a bad idea, better to learn how to use a "force leveller" IE; a real weapon. (in other words a big fucking stick) Stick fighting, Kali or Escrima is a far better option for a female on her own in a van life situation. Wrestling on the ground with an unknown assailant who may or may, not be be on drugs or may have friends who are ready to pitch in, is tantamount to suicide. I dont care who you are, how big you are, or how fucking tough you think you are, when your confronted in the middle of the night with another human being hell bent on getting what he wants (whatever that may be) you had better be prepared to fight and I mean fight! You had better be prepared mentally and physically to be the one who walks away. This may mean hurting someone really badly, and in my experience, training in a sport oriented martial art will not prepare you for that. I suggest to any female or male for that matter,who is serious about learning to defend oneself you have to address two things; The physical and the mental. The physical need not entail years of training, striving for belts, money, trophies and certificates, but rather training the attributes that will deliver the techniques. Learning a handful of techniques that will consistently work in any situation by being commited to memory and recalled in an instant triggered by the "fight or flight" response to a situation that the brain deems "dangerous", is a task that you need to commit to, develop and sharpen. That takes care of the "how" Developing the right mindset and determining "when" you deploy those techniques is the tricky part and also the most fascinating. To that end I urge anyone reading this wherever you are in the world to get hold of two books by a guy called geoff Thompson they are "3 second fighter" & "the fence" these books are pure gold and will definitely open your eyes to scenarios that will happen to you sooner of later whoever you might be. Back to the force leveller. Despite all my years of training and all the experience I have I would always "level up" to even the odds and before you all cry "thats not fair thats not cricket thats just wrong" who gives a flying fuck. A fight, a scrap, an altercation has no rules, no honour and the outcome belongs to the smartest person. Get real, forget the diluted, sanitized bullshit of the sporting arenas martial arts were invented for one thing and one thing only . . . . to kill your opponent on the battlefield. Only the western civilised cultures could have taken something so pure and twisted it around to make it so ineffective. Look on you tube for real tutorials, look on quora for forums dedicated to the real martial spirit, educate yourself with proper insights about true self protection, and whie your doing that fashion yourself a really good stout pole and learn how to use it to really do damage. You tube I recommend Fight science here in the UK Geoff Thompson, Lee Morrison - urban combatives this will get you going in the right direction. or carry on being a victim. My apologies to everyone for being so blunt but I do take this stuff really seriously and I do not mince my words. Ive seen so much during my 63 years on the planet and people are fed so much crap when it comes to self defence.
The somewhat "secretive" or "unfriendly" behavior that you describe is basically how I live my life...partially by necessity and partially by choice. I work in Concert Touring and have similar safety and security concerns while traveling with Artists. Also, I travel leisurely almost entirely alone, all over the US & Canada. I am not paranoid, by any means, but I am not a victim either. Being safe, smart, cautious, attentive and responsible...it's the only way! Keep it up, CS! ✌🏻
Yes!! Couldn’t agree more. It’s not that we’re paranoid, just prepared 😉🙌🏻 also sounds like you have a really cool job!
"We suffer more often in imagination than reality" Seneca
aye 🙌🏻 that’s why I prefer to just be prepared and then go about my life
"I've suffered many terrible things in life. A few of which actually happened" - Mark Twain
“It will never happen to me” Captain EJ Smith of Titanic
says the person living in the shackles of their bricks and mortar prison.... enjoy that 6am commute to your rat race in the morning ;) "To be free of it means managing a certain level of risk, to be unaware of it would be foolish" - ME.
Yes...I used to say, “I’ve suffered many things in life, most of which never happened!”😄
As I head out on my first solo trip - thank you so so so much for all of this information. ❤
As a hyper-aware person and a cop in a large metro area this was all on point. Your advice was logical. You could have taught a safety class with all these great points. New subscriber. Love your content. Be safe and be well!
Wow thank you, really appreciate the kind words 🙏🏻
I really enjoyed your video. I am a retired Detective and I believe that if you are following all your recommendations you are travelling about as safe as possible. I do believe you are making it safer for anyone who is listening to your video seminar. I hope all your future journeys are rewarding. Stay safe!
In regards to weapons, before you commit to anything, check the laws in states you plan on traveling to and through. If you have a firearm, you should have a concealed carry permit from your state of residence. Some states restrict your ability to have it on you in your vehicle. Some states do not honor permits from other states (and NJ has a bad habit of not even honoring their own). In some states, ninja stars are illegal, and certain types of knives as well. Also keep in mind the length of the blade, some states are more restrictive when it comes to blade length. Same for brass knuckles, some stats ban them. Never underestimate the usefulness of wasp and hornet spray. The kind that has a reach of 10 feet or more. It has better reach than bear spray, is a concentrated stream, and if you have one of those long BBQ lighters... In the video, a wine bottle was mentioned as a makeshift weapon. Corkscrews do as well. Where goes one, so does the other. A suggestion for keeping bladed weapons exactly where you want them, when you need them. Velcro. Put one side of it on the weapon, the other on the item you want it attached to, and slap them together. Remember that old saying, the pen is mightier than the sword? With the right pen, and a little bit of study of human anatomy, you can do serious to deadly damage. Look up tactical pens, they can also be used to smash a door window in case you go off the road into the water. Get in the habit of having an EDC kit when you step out the door. Every Day Carry, and carry it every day. Weapon of choice, backup weapon, extra ammunition if you have a firearm, at least one knife, even better if one is a multitool, and a small flashlight to round it out. As a minimum. If you're going to be on foot away from the vehicle out in the boonies, maybe get a small backpack or sling pack. I have one I keep packed with a couple emergency blankets, a fire starting kit with multiple ways to start one, some snacks such as hard candies, an extra bottle of water, either one of those quick charge batteries for the phone or a small folding solar panel (Harbor Freight sells them and they are small and light), and at least a basic first aid kit. I have a military IFAK, plus extra CAT tourniquets. I also keep extras in my car, in a pouch that attaches to an organizer that hangs from the seat and can be ripped away (velcro again). I've come up on more than a few car accidents, and rarely had any medical supplies to help. I don't recall if a fire extinguisher was mentioned. It can be used as a bludgeon, or fired into the face of an assailant to cause a diversion so you can get away. Another thing you could do, is mount external lights around your rig, and wire switches at your bed, plus next to the door. Cameras are also a good idea, either wired, or small wifi/bluetooth wireless. Another thing, when you are at a base camp, or before you hit the road, look up first aid, CPR, and Stop The Bleed classes. You may need to treat yourself, or another person. Knowing how to deploy a CAT can save a life. Knowing how to use an Israeli bandage can as well. Hopefully you will never need to use those skills, but it is better to have them. Lastly, she said it, but keep your head on a swivel. Situational awareness is not something most people are born with, especially in the selfie and smartphone age. Park so you can start the engine, put it in gear, and go. If you have to back up, you could give somebody time to box you in, or even run yourself off the road in your panic. Back in to a site, drive straight out when you leave.
Honestly I wish a class like this had been offered in high school 🙌🏼this level of preparedness allows for agency and confidence regardless of gender & situation. Thanks for sharing in such detail
Great info, Eric.
Can't even have a gawdam firearm to protect yourself in the LAND OF THE FREE. What a fucckin joke!
@@vikingnorsefitness5727 depends on the state, generally speaking, red states are less restrictive than blue states when it comes to firearms and self defense, not making a political statement, just stating facts
Thank you!
I so appreciate all the thought you put into this video, all the practical suggestions that have come from experience!
I have a similar van set up here in the UK, I wish we had more places to explore like you do across the pond as Europe has been difficult to travel across due to covid and other factors over the last few years. The security feature I rely on most is my gut instinct, if I can’t settle because I’m worried about my surroundings, then the chances are is that it isn’t safe to stay. Stay safe, and hey from the UK 🤣🇬🇧🇺🇸.
So many times while walking my dogs I've come up on people (not just women) with their head buried in in their phones. Just because you are a good person, doesn't mean others are. Pay attention to your environment. Doesn't cost anything. Except maybe a selfie on a walking trail. Great video.
Couldn't agree more 🙌🏼
Great video, Christian! I find wherever you are isolated you need to be more cautious. I have been attacked from behind while running alone on a trail. I didn't see it coming at all, the guy appeared out of nowhere. I didn't stand a chance as I didn't hear or see him and he came up behind me. It all happened so fast. You cannot protect yourself from what you cannot see or hear. This resulted in trauma that I suffered for several years afterward. That is until the stars aligned and I rescued a large black male GSD, very protective boy, and once we bonded, we were out again on the trails and I am RV camping as well. My GSD gets a lot of respect from unsavoury people, respect that I, on my own, have never gotten. Stay safe!
Jesus!! So sorry! Try to learn some martial arts too, Didnt know man could be animals towards women until I came to the USA.
@@manuellopaganelli9123 Oh yes! They can be relentless with no remorse...
My GSD is awesome too, with a loud sudden bark that can peel off peoples skins and excellent judge of character. Always has my back!
I hike alone a lot and also take a big dog that is an excellent judge of character. I also run a small shop on a main highway in a small town and honestly it’s not that different as lots of people walk by and I’m in there at night alone often and I’m open late and no businesses around me are open at all so it’s sort of strange but my dog pretty much takes care of the ones that need to keep on walking and is super friendly to customers. I did have a friend though just tell me that if I even need to defend myself to kick them hard as I can in the knee caps. I guess that’s all it takes. Anyways. Thought I’d share that too.
@@dananelson5244 Also, poke them directly in the eyes, or hit the Adam's apple as hard as you can. These are also disabling. We have to teach ourselves not to be hesitant but to give it all we have in the crucial moment.
I absolutely loved this video. Great tips and advice, plus a really good highlight on balance and the philosophy that safety is never guaranteed, and if you are constantly chasing that you'll miss out on a lot of great things.
Thank you for sharing this video. You've inspired me to continue saving up to start my van life I've been wanting to do since I was a kid. 😊
"Safety is never really quaranteed" This is SO TRUE! I think that closest I have come in danger of being killed was in my own bed, in my own house!!!! I had a stalker for months and because I kept ignoring the signs of his presence (out of pure disbelief) it took him to finally trying to break into the house that I became aware of the danger. It was only later that I realised he had been watching me for months! Luckily the ladder he tried to climb was booby-trapped (old rickety wooden ladder) and it broke under his weight. And my little village is very quiet and safe place to live. It was quite unbelievable. All these tips in the video are an amazing!!! They will greatly reduce the likelihood that anything happens to you! But life is not safe ANYWHERE ANYTIME!!! So might as well go and enjoy it!!! It might even be safer in the van, because it makes you more aware of your surrounding than when you think that you have nothing to worry about in your own feather bed, cat sleeping on your feet, like it was for me! Safe, happy travels for everyone!
Such an amazing video and have passed this on to 2 women at work and 2 of my daughters who all want to travel with the van life. Thank you for opening up and passing on your advice.
Great information Christian…the best I’ve heard yet. Thank you sooo much for your brute honesty…it’s much appreciated.
Excellent, content rich, comprehensive, factual and shared with positivity. So love that you are able to keep safety preparation and execution as just part of sensible being and not living in/with fear. Thank you for taking time and effort to share this.
Great advice, really appreciate the comments on how to stay safe and aware of your surroundings. Love the optimistic attitude - you are an inspiration to many people.
Thank you so much for taking time to watch!! and for the kind words 😊✌🏼
HUGE respect for you, your level of empowerment and freedom. Safe travels.
Very well done. Excellent information and suggestions. Good for everyone not just solo female travelers. Thank you Christian. Your willingness to share your perspectives are very much appreciated. Safe travels!
Thank you for sharing. I think your advice is spot on. I intend to send this along to my daughters.
THANK YOU, I am dealing with the loss of my parents. I need to get away after their house is sold and my sisters are set in their new places. YES, its going to take a lot to prepare but I have to heal and find myself even though I am turning 60. Seeing your program and others is hitting me hard. I am disconnected in my soul, mind, and body. I have been crying after seeing everyone visiting the mountains.
Yes! Just what I was looking for - no wishy-washiness or fantasy road stories. Thanks for the reality tips and your ideas for income-generating tips while on the road. You go girl!!! Stay healthy and safe
Thank you for sharing! We appreciated your perspective & freedom mindset regarding safety & information. Encouraging to know your experience is better in the van as we are in the beginning of this journey.
Brilliant and so helpful and useful! Thank you keep kick'n butt and showing up!
I remember a phase in my life where I had to live a garage with my family as we lost our house, van life has gotten me curious and your personal story really resonated with me; that’s what’s up girl, do what thou wilt. 🤙🏽
Great content, good for anyone, anywhere, living in a van or house, being always aware of what you do. I love the tip to be careful with social media sharing. I am always amazed how much people share about themselves for the whole world to see...
Inspiring in so many ways. Just starting my "how realistic is living on the road in a van with my motorcycle" research and this is the first Christian Schaffer video I've watched. Truly appreciated the wisdom (common sense + reality). Looking forward to learning more from your channel. 🤗 Thank you!🤙 #bookmarked and #subscribed
Glad I found your channel. Makes me so much more interested in it being into photography myself. It's hard work living at a fixed location then driving back and fourth!
Much wisdom. Love hearing from other empowered women 💕
This is a great video! The element of surprise is always on your side, sometimes good acting skills are too. When my sister and I were teenagers we were being followed through a local department store by a creepy man. We managed to lose him. We saw him check out and exit the store. We stayed inside for quite a while. When we left and were halfway across the dark parking lot, here he came, driving toward us in his car. We turned around and begin waving and shouting at several people who had just entered the store. We went running to the entrance acting as if we knew them and were supposed to meet them there. Once inside we watched him drive away. We were safe, and he was probably disgruntled. The people we went charging after hadn’t even heard or seen us. They made perfect decoys. Nowadays this could be easily replicated with a pretend cell phone conversation.
Hell yeah, smart move 💪🏼Thanks for sharing 💕
This was by far the best I've heard regarding female/solo safety so far....thanks so much! Well shared!
Really great info. You covered a lot of things regarding safety that I would have never thought of. Thank you.
Thank you for such a realistic and intelligent conversation regarding awareness and our safety. Everything you said makes so much sense and includes important facts which a lot of us wouldn't even be aware of, or think about. Apart from me, because I listen to too many True Crime podcasts so I carry pepper spray everywhere :(
Such great advice!!! I've watched videos where solo females show their weapons and where they are stored. One stored a hatchet in her dog supplies unlocked outside! You have street-smarts and highly developed intuition from your lifelong experiences. Thank you for sharing!!! P.S. Regarding the secret password with you mom.... I have a suggestion - Don't have your mom directly ask for a password which could trigger a kidnapper to forcefully extract the password from you. Instead, if your mom is worried, have a secret code word or phrase that should trigger you to respond with the password spontaneously.
Thank you! Good idea for the password 🙌🏻
It should be something you say within the first few seconds of each call - something that sounds natural and becomes automatic for you to say, then if you don't say it she should respond that someone is at the door or calling, and she will call back in a few mins. Then she should call the police where you are located.
Thank you. I feel safer already✴️ Prayers of peace and safety over you and your travels.
love the video. I'm currently building out my first van. I've traveld a lot in various vehickles. but this is my first buid. Thanks for the content. good stuff and inspirering.
This is a great video on safety, & should be used for everyday living. Don’t live in fear but always have a plan for “what if’s”. You’re a smart lady to be as young as you are. So many women are older & never do what they’ve dreamed about their whole lives. I will pray for safety & happiness.
So many useful ideas...thank you. Especially like the suggestion to move purposely and confidently. My mom used to say...always walk or move like you are damn determined, know what you are doing and where you are going.
Thank you Christian! I’m praying for you!
You are helping others and that is a great unselfish thing to do. You got my respect, so I subscribed!
Great advice to solo travelers. I would recommend a few more things, and that is, installing motion-sensor lights all around your van. I think perps who have bad ideas don't like to be lit up. Also, I would recommend that you install a louder horn than the stock one that came with your van. I recommend Fiamm "high-note" freeway blaster horns, made in Italy. When the perp approaches your van the lights come on and he gets blasted by the Fiamm horns, I think he will rapidly change his mindset. In the meantime, be sure to have your .45 in your hand and know how to use it. Cheers, from a former Marine.
Thank you for your service. 1 of my sons is a Marine - 2 tours in Afghanistan.
Your advice is practical and analytical... I love that you're living your life without limits and realising your dreams without fear. I'm recently retired and thinking on realising my dreams through my passion which is TRAVEL. Thanks for your blog.
This was the best one of these safety vids I have ever watched. Thank you it was helpful
This is a great video for everyone in any context. You gave great tips.
Christian, fantastic breakdown! Its pretty clear you've thought this through thoroughly, and you provided a great deal of insights to consider. Traveling is probably my biggest passion, and the biggest driver behind my financial goals, so content like this always helps. Just subscribed, can't wait to see more!
Aw thank you for the sub! Stoked to put some more videos together soon 😊💕
I really want to do what you’re doing. Thank you for being so honest and open about what it’s like to be a solo female on the road. This is definitely a video I’ll come back to for tips
thanks Lucy, so glad you found it helpful 💕
Thank you so much for all the info .Be safe out there. Hecksal.
This is the best video I've seen on safety. Thank you so much!
2-1/2 years of living in my van on the road as a Union Electrician. All your comments about safety, situational awareness, plus personal growth are spot on. I am almost always in an urban setting, so I don't typically deal with remote conditions, but your recommendations on weapons, and keeping a low profile are equally accurate. One thing I have hanging near my head for use at night is one of those alarms that when you pull the pin out it gives off something like a 120 decibel scream. Better than a whistle and easier to get to than my steering wheel horn in a panic situation. I have never needed to use it, but it's nice to know it's there...right next to the Milwaukee insulation knife, lol! Your van is awesome! Love your videos!!
My girlfriend is about to start a job as a regional, over the road truck driver and this video is so helpful in how it presents a range of information she can use outside of the van experience. I worry about her, but she is excited about the new opportunity and is going to apply a lot of your suggestions in her new job. Thanks for a great and informative video!
Love this! Great tips! Some of us are survivors...no matter what. Get it girl! 💪🙌💜
Great, honest, thoughtful video from a young, beautiful, brave woman... This got me subscribed
Love this video. I love how authentic and honest you are. It's refreshing to see less of this "apologetically nice" persona that women are conditioned to have. Thank you.
Good point about SELF DEFENSE. Element of surprise. NEVER THOUGHT OF BRASS KNUCKLES. Love Foghorn idea.
So much good information, and I am recommending my solo traveller friends to watch your video. Stay safe, and have a wonderful adventure!
Fantastic tips. Great job breaking everything down. 👍 Stay safe out there.