By now, many of you have heard the sad news about Ron and Beverly Barker, who went missing 12 days ago while RV traveling in Nevada. Sadly, Ron passed away before they were finally found on a remote Nevada mountain. Tragedies like this are not uncommon. Take the camper who died on the Gulf Coast last month, or the former Navy Seal who went missing in Yellowstone, or the nomad who was found dead in her van, all after a protracted search. These heartbreaking stories might make you think you can’t travel safely — but you can. Here are the two simple steps that can save your life.
According to the Daily Mail UK, Ron and Beverly Barker’s nephew got a delayed text that simply read “help” from his Aunt, Beverly Barker, after the couple had already been rescued. It appears the text couldn’t be sent because the couple didn’t have a cell signal.
I travel full-time in my RV and use two strategies to stay safe, even when I don’t have a cell signal.
First, I share my location with several people in real-time. I do this using Google Maps. It’s free and simple to set-up and your people can literally see you traveling along the map in real time. If you lose your cell signal, it shows your last location, which can be crucial during a search.
Here is a video I did explaining how to share your location via Google Maps:
Find more content like this HERE.
Second, I invested in a Personal Locator Beacon. These little devices can save your life if you are without a signal and need rescue. They work by sending a signal, via satellite, to Emergency Services in your area; all you have to do is hit a button.
If you are a hiker, boater, hunter or RVer who travels without a cell signal this is a must have. Your beacon should only be used in life-threatening situations but could be life-saving if you do. Personally, I use the ACR ResQLink, which doesn’t require a monthly subscription. There are units with more functionality, like text messaging and chat. Find the one that works best for you.
Traveling full-time has been the joy of my life. Yes, it’s fun. Yes, it’s liberating. But as a traveler, I know sometimes emergency services can be far away and it’s up to me to protect myself.
See my book Be a Nomad Change Your Life for more strategies on safety.
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Thanks for the timely reminder, Ms Robin!
Hi Robin, it is sad to see that the Barbers had this incident and loss. As a single nomad I think about safety a lot. I have ordered a Garmin Inreach to use for my safety. And, yes, I use Google maps for notification as well. Thank you for your post. I haven’t seen much from you for a while, an I have missed you. Good to know you are still out here. Freddie
So sad about this couple. Thank you for your great advice. I hope everyone out there does these two simple things for their own safety.
Hi Thanks for the update. We live360 for travel across the country. My niece was designated as the official tracker. She monitored us across the country. We tested people with people along the way to show our landing spots everyday.
So sorry to hear of the passing, but in a way, it was a better outcome rather than thoughts, I know were in everyone’s head about being taken by someone. the wife must have been very scared. Hope she finds some peace.
Fran
Yes, indeed. Thank you for reminding us of the resources available to us.
Hi Robin,
Your text above says, re personal beacon, Here’s the one I use but there’s no name or link to it. I would like a recommendation. Thanks so much. Love and trust your work!
Yup, I saw that too! It’s fixed. Thanks for the heads up:)
Thank you Robin. A very important message for the community.
Robin – this is very helpful although you’ve said both of these things in past vids. They are good reminders. But, for me, at least sending them directly to my email is not helpful. I’m a subscriber and would like to just see you’ve made a new vid or are re-posting the vid you had these great suggestions in. Otherwise, I cannot save the info in my ‘Creativity RV’ file on my phone in an area I can access even when I don’t have wifi.
Hi Clare, thanks for the comment. You get it in your email because you (must be) a subscriber of the blog! That’s how subscribers get notified of a new blog post. You could always save an article as a PDF to put in your file. Happy Travels!
Good day, Ms. Robin! I agree the personal locator beacon is definitely necessary for anyone who spends time in our parks or is a solo traveler. David Paulides of Missing 411 fame highly recommends them as well. It’s so easy to fall or get lost in the wild with no cell signal available to call for help, as you say. You provide such encouragement and empower travelers with knowledge to make life safer and more convenient. You’re a treasure and thank you for all you do. Blessings.