Okay. So I had to pull over just to write this. I have been going to write this, I just have had one of those weeks and not been around the computer much. The comment I made on twitter about taking a nap in an abandoned truck-stop this afternoon made me think “Now is the time”.
So here’s where I’ll start this. I don’t believe in being scared. Let me rephrase that, I should say that I don’t put myself in the situation to be scared, usually. Of coarse a lot lizard knocking on my sleeper in the middle of the night will wake me with a start, but I always have control over my fear. I believe in trucking (this is only my opinion) that controlling your fear is VERY important. If your scared shitless you could possibly react the wrong way and put yourself or someone else in more danger than if you stopped to think first. This goes for driving down the road in ice, snow, fog, walking across a parking lot alone, sleeping in a truck stop or on the side of the road.
So, I won’t get into all the reasons I would rather sleep in an abandoned truck stop, but I will say sleeping under a canopy to keep both Rosie and my wagon cool during the day is a plus. Inexperienced drivers though, are probably first on my list as to why I’d rather forgo a large truck stop…. And really, all the riff raff in the big truck stops are as much of a threat as parking alone in a quiet place all by yourself. But, back to controlling your fear. I think it is important.
Here’s just an example: A few weeks ago a lot lizard knocked on my sleeper. I was sound asleep one second, the next I was bolted wide awake and of coarse my heart was beating WAY faster than it was suppose to be. The first thing I did was lay still. I didn’t want to move my truck, let someone know I was scared and/or let anyone know I was in the truck. Slowly I got up, got my glasses on and took stock.
- My doors were locked. If I’m in my truck, my doors are immediately locked. If I’m out of my truck, they are also locked.
- My knife was where it always is.
- My phone was next to me.
- And my pepper spray was by my side.
I slid up and over to the drivers side door and pulled my window cover over just a bit to see a girl waiting between me and the pete next to me. Then I started screaming to get the hell away from my truck or I’d shoot her at the top of my lungs. I know, it sounds funny, but it works. She ran. Fast.
I think if you are in this industry (male or female) and you do not protect yourself your dumb as a box of rocks. I also think as a women no matter what you do for a living, if you do not protect yourself your dumb as a box of rocks. I do not EVER expect anyone to protect me or keep me safe. Yes, it’s nice when hubs is around, or I have someone I know parked next to me, but we are alone out here more than not. And if I can’t protect myself who will?
So I present to you this little doohickey I picked up last week. My parents bought me a pepper spray that I have always kept with me on my key chain, but I found this last week while gun shopping with hubs. I asked the guy behind the counter what he would suggest for protecting myself while on the truck, (we were surrounded by guns at this point) and he gave me this box and swore by it, so I purchased it.
This is Bear spray. It can be purchased on-line, at sporting goods stores like Gander Mountain, Scheels, and Cabela’s among other sporting goods stores.
Like the package states, it will shoot up to 13 feet. You get two blasts with it. And what I was really impressed by, was that it has a velocity of 90-mph! Oh yeah. Below is a video on this pepper spray and here is a link to their website! Check it out and keep yourself safe!
Kimber LifeAct Non-Lethal Products – Click here for more home videos
About Bethany
Thanks for that Bethany because it's a good idea to be aware at all times of your surroundings and the danger that can be lurking any and everywhere. My hubby does the same thing if we get a knock on our truck in the middle of the night…he tells her to "get the hell away from my truck right now" he has the kind of voice that scares the crap outta anyone when he yells…so it's very effective! LOL!! That's a really good idea for any woman who's alone on a truck or anywhere else to have something like this close by…heck even for a man for that matter…all driver's are possible targets for anyone who's up to no good! So again thanks for that much needed blog on this particular subject!
Hey, I really enjoyed reading this. Made me laugh and think all at the same time. Very true info. I try, for the most part, to not be scared. Walk with confidence and very alrt of my surroundings. Sleep with a knife, mag light and I have wasp spray. Its just as effective. Its tough at times for us women out here and ur right, we can only protect ourself. Thanks for the peice of mind. Also, I really look up to you and Terry. Cool women who are always really helpful to me. Thanks
Sad but true Bethany, there are way too many sickos in the world today. As you state, it is good to be prepared……I always carry a car hauler’s tie down bar next to the seat but most of the punks now carry pistols. Federal law prohibits drivers from carrying firearms in the truck and conceal carry permits are usually only good in the state issued. Therefore, your pepper spray is really a good idea. As tiphany stated, wasp spray works great but is too bulky to carry around on your person. I learned many years ago to be constantly aware of the situation around you and your truck while I was pumping off propane gas from my trailer. It is way too easy to become complacent . It saved my life one night while fueling at a card lock self serve fuel stop. So, be careful and carry your spay. Good thinking….Best wishes to you and Hubs.
I also have a small flat box cutter (some people call them a strap cutter) and when I am on the road I keep it in my back pocket. No one can see it but if someone did tie me up I could reach it.
Good for you, but I'd rather see women with a gun. Not that the spray is a bad thing. I'm impressed with the video, but a gun would take care of the problem for sure.
Saltydoggie – Actually there is no Federal regulation against carrying a firearm in a commercial vehicle. Concealed carry laws vary from state to state & depending on which state you have your CCW permit you may be covered by reciprocity in other states. Now most companies have rules about carrying firearms but there are no regulations against it.
I have to agree with Shannon here. Hubs spent many hours calling both state and federal DOT offices and not one official would say yes or no on the matter… I'll take my chances on getting caught with one, rather than without.