CENTRAL AMERICA
The new RVing Frontier!
Article #9 - SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES:
What about them?

by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

In article #1, CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!, we discussed the importance
of planning. Among the most important of the planning, to experience your trip
with NO SAFETY/SECURITY PROBLEMS! In this article, I will provide GENERAL
safety/safety-related items before you cross the border into Mexico.

PERSONAL RELATED


PERSONAL AND VEHICLE RELATED

* I installed a window latch-type lock on the inside side of my screen
door. While it will not stop anyone from coming in, it could give you a
few seconds extra time to react should someone unexpectedly attempt to
enter your rig. It also keeps the wind from blowing the screen door
open!

* Inside my rig, in various locations, I also keep the following
POTENTIAL WEAPONS in case of a surprise and unwanted visitor: small
machete, small baseball bat, ice pick, can of oven-spray and a can of
SPORTS MARINE BIG HORN which can sure hurt a bad guy's eardrums as well
as provide a case of frostbite, if he came close enough.

VEHICLE RELATED

* Record all key identification numbers (doors and miscellaneous locks)
and keep in a safe place.

* I kept 3 sets of keys. One I kept with me, a spare set in my rig and
another set I gave to my best friend to keep in his rig.

* Take off your license plates and duct tape to the inside of your front
and rear windows of your vehicle. You do this for two reasons: First,
the police will take license plates off your vehicles for infractions
and you may have to pay a mordida (bribe) to get them back. Second: The
kids will steal your license plates for souvenirs. Better to take this
precaution and keep your license plates!

* Take off all your tire valve-stem covers or bring a large supply. The
children will steal them.

* Lock and/or securely chain and lock anything/everything you want to
keep. If you do not follow this piece of advice, it will be stolen. I
guarantee it!

* I used thumb-screw type window locks on the motorhome windows. You can
buy them at most hardware stores.

* Use a brightly colored and highly visible steering wheel lock.

* Due to the nature of the very narrow roads, it was imperative we be
visible. To accomplish this we adhered brightly colored florescent
posterboard material with rubber cement and florescent tape to the back
side of the driver's side mirror. It helps the oncoming traffic to
see the mirrors and hopefully eliminates destruction and/or crashes.

* Final Rule: Whenever outdoors and I could not see the entry door to my
rig: I LOCKED IT!

Don't miss the next installment "MONEY ISSUES: What about them?" in
which I'll discuss the considerations of preparing your mindset for your
journey. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning of Article
#1..................................... YOU CAN DO IT!

===================================================================
Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of
PANAMA OR BUST - A 343 day adventure in a motorhome!

You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 at
http://www.panamaorbust.com

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #9, SAFETY/SECURITY
ISSUES: What about them?

Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles to
me at jimj@panamaorbust.com
Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central
America. After all they are Third World countries and not without danger
or the possibility of death. You go at your own risk. The author is only
suggesting that with some planning, common sense and caution you may
minimize your potential dangers and be rewarded with countless cultural
experiences. :)

================================================Article #9 -
SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES: What about them?
by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

Article #1, CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!, discussed the importance of
planning. Among
the most important of the planning, to experience your trip with NO
SAFETY/SECURITY PROBLEMS! In this article, I will provide GENERAL
safety/safety-related items before you cross the border into Mexico.

PERSONAL RELATED

* In Article #8, I alluded to Document safety. The following item is
related to both personal and document safety. I do not carry a wallet.
Instead, years ago a fanny-pack became my wallet and continues to this
day. ADVICE: In preparation for robbery, create a GIVE-AWAY fanny pack
(or wallet) that you can hand the bandit pointing a knife at you. In
this GIVE-AWAY you put your EXPIRED drivers license, credit cards,
etc... You can keep a few pesos (whatever you can afford to give away)
in it for purchases and whatever you might for need money. You keep your
identification and money, credit card, etc. in a money belt under
loose-fitting clothing and hope a bandit doesn't think of it. I did not
experience a knife-point robbery, but I understand they do happen, so I
took my own above advice. A money belt can be uncomfortable in very hot
and humid weather, eventually I just left the money belt in my rig and
wore only the give-away. The choice is yours, which do you prefer? Hand
the bandit a GIVE-AWAY or the REAL THING?

* Guns are not allowed anywhere in Mexico and Central America. So, in my
GIVE-AWAY fanny pack, I carried a small vial of pepper-spray. About a
dozen times, while in a bad neighborhood, the pepper-spray gave me a
feeling of security as I had it in my hand with the cover open and
safety off thinking I might need to use it. I never did actually use it,
but better to be ready than not ready!

* At night you need to exercise extreme caution in the types of
neighborhood(s) you venture. Walking on a dark beach admiring the
beautiful moonlight, definitely not a good idea!

PERSONAL AND VEHICLE RELATED

* I installed a window latch-type lock on the inside side of my screen
door. While it will not stop anyone from coming in, it could give you a
few seconds extra time to react should someone unexpectedly attempt to
enter your rig. It also keeps the wind from blowing the screen door
open!

* Inside my rig, in various locations, I also keep the following
POTENTIAL WEAPONS in caseof a surprise and unwanted visitor: small
machete, small baseball bat, ice pick, can of oven-spray and a can of
SPORTS MARINE BIG HORN which can sure hurt a bad guy's eardrums as well
as provide a case of frostbite, if he came close enough.

VEHICLE RELATED

* Record all key identification numbers (doors and miscellaneous locks)
and keep in a safe place.

* I kept 3 sets of keys. One I kept with me, a spare set in my rig and
another set I gave to my best friend to keep in his rig.

* Take off your license plates and duct tape to the inside of your front
and rear windows of your vehicle. You do this for two reasons: First,
the police will take license plates off your vehicles for infractions
and you may have to pay a mordida (bribe) to get them back. Second: The
kids will steal your license plates for souvenirs. Better to take this
precaution and keep your license plates!

* Take off all your tire valve-stem covers or bring a large supply. The
children will steal them.

* Lock and/or securely chain and lock anything/everything you want to
keep. If you do notfollow this piece of advice, it will be stolen. I
guarantee it!

* I used thumb-screw type window locks on the motorhome windows. You can
buy them at most hardware stores.

* Use a brightly colored and highly visible steering wheel lock.

* Due to the nature of the very narrow roads, it was imperative we be
visible. To accomplish this we adhered brightly colored florescent
posterboard material with rubber cement and florescent tape to the back
side of the driver's side mirror. It helps the oncoming traffic to
see the mirrors and hopefully eliminates destruction and/or crashes.

* Final Rule: Whenever outdoors and I could not see the entry door to my
rig: I LOCKED IT!

Don't miss the next installment "MONEY ISSUES: What about them?" in
which I'll discuss the considerations of preparing your mindset for your
journey. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning of Article
#1............................................................. YOU CAN
DO IT!

===================================================================
==

Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of
PANAMA OR BUST - A 343 day adventure in a motorhome!

You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 at
http://www.panamaorbust.com <http://www.panamaorbust.com>

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #9, SAFETY/SECURITY
ISSUES: What about them?

Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles to
me at jimj@panamaorbust.com <http://jimj@panamaorbust.com>

===================================================================
====

Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central
America. After all they are Third World countries and not without danger
or the possibility of death. You go at your own risk. The author is only
suggesting that with some planning, common sense and caution you may
minimize your potential dangers and be rewarded with countless cultural
experiences. :)

================================================