20 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

I used to carry mace and other 'safety' devices but now with tighter airline security I'm not able to have those extra 'safety' elements. I know men used to carry pocketknives and can't carry those either.

What have others done to compensate?

[DandyDon]

I still carry my pocket knife on trips - in my checked luggage, but it's not for defense. If I ever pulled it during a confrontation, it'd be escalating the situation, and the thug would possibly take it from me and use it. My pocket knife is just a handy tool that farm boys like to carry, to open sealed candy packages, etc.

I think the important approach for any Solo traveler is to avoid possible dangers. Awlays be mindful: "Am I exposed to threat here?" Avoid those. Taking a van to the airport is safer than drving, taking a hired van to the hotel on arrival, then traveling in groups thereafter.

Also ask the hotel, where are the safer parts of town, and the less safe to avoid. Check the hotel room for a deadbolt, and - if doesn't have one, what would it take to secure the door at night. Is the hallway dark? Have the light replaced or turned on first. If the room has a sliding glass door to the patio or balcony, make sure yu have a broomstick cut the right length to secure it completely from beng opened from the outside. Ask the front desk for an escort thru less safe crossings. Don't paint a target on your back.

Finally, comfy running shoes and a second Storm Whistle - boy, those things are loud. One on your BC, and one for your wrist when out and about. Problems do happen, and that's good time to run like hell blowing a whistle.

But problems are very rare is toursit areas. If I were a woman, I'd take a body guard if I needed to go to Belize City, but only a buddy to walk main street San Pedro, a group for the next street over.

[BradfordNC]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

[WreckWench]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

And what pray tell will the magazine do?????

[Sophia]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

And what pray tell will the magazine do?????

put you to sleep.
Who really cares what Sharon Stone thinks of Miami?

[Walter]

A weapon usually gives you a false sense of security. Take a self defense course. The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself in bad situations.

[GentDiver]

WW,

Yah know. I don't worry about the airplane part of the trip. I figure after 9/11 if anyone trys anything I will have 1/2 the plane with me trying to take the sucker out.

If you are worried about before and after the flight (in the airport for example), I put everything in my carry-on (or a zipped pocket of my coat) so no one can steal it.

If this is in reguard to whatever city your going to be in, pack it in your checked luggage.

It all depends on which part of the trip you are most worried about.

Scott

:lam:

[BradfordNC]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

And what pray tell will the magazine do?????

you roll tightly.

with a quick forcefull jab, it will crush the throat.

with a hammer type strike to the side of the head, it will crush the temples.

either way, the person drops pretty much instantly.


held like a knife, it works great for parrying against knives and other weapons.

[jextract]

Who really cares what Sharon Stone thinks of Miami?

Who cares what Sharon Stone thinks about anything? In fact, a better question might be "does she think at all?"

[WreckWench]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

And what pray tell will the magazine do?????

you roll tightly.

with a quick forcefull jab, it will crush the throat.

with a hammer type strike to the side of the head, it will crush the temples.

either way, the person drops pretty much instantly.


held like a knife, it works great for parrying against knives and other weapons.

Hoooooorrrrrrraaaaaaayyyyyyy for BradfordNC!!!

I just knew you were talking about something serious...just couldn't for the life of me figure it out!

Now THAT is an awesome security tip!!! -ww

[DandyDon]

just get yourself a good magazine.

the airlines will even provide you with one in the seatback to your front.

finaly, a use for Skymall magazine.

And what pray tell will the magazine do?????

you roll tightly.

with a quick forcefull jab, it will crush the throat.

with a hammer type strike to the side of the head, it will crush the temples.

either way, the person drops pretty much instantly.


held like a knife, it works great for parrying against knives and other weapons.

And what are the chances that an untrained civilian - or even a former Marine out of the Corps 30 years - could do any real damage? Hell, most of us would drop the magazine, or forget to roll it up. Slap, slap - those paper cuts really hurt you thugs, don't they?

I think Walter well summed up what I took several paragraphs to say:

A weapon usually gives you a false sense of security. Take a self defense course. The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself in bad situations.

The magazine defense just gets you closer to the problem.

I'm all for run like hell!

But then, I've traveled BC, WA, HI, CA - including downtown LA at night on foot, AZ, NM, CO, TX, UT, NE, OK, AR, LA, AL, GA, FL, NC, VA, NY - even drove a car in Manhanttan, ONT, Quebeck, MA, CT, Irleand, Holland, Amergris Key, Roatan, El Salvador, Cozumel, several West Indies Islands, and some more - and I haven't had a problem yet, even though I often travel alone.

Women are easier targets, but stay aware, and travel in groups.

The most common danger on any trip is not wearing you seat belts!

[WreckWench]

And what are the chances that an untrained civilian - or even a former Marine out of the Corps 30 years - could do any real damage? Hell, most of us would drop the magazine, or forget to roll it up. Slap, slap - those paper cuts really hurt you thugs, don't they?

Ha! Don wanna see what I can do with a rolled up magazine????

I've been practicing and it is a VERY effective weapon! One I doubt anyone would see coming until its too late.

And for the record...it does not take much to strike a crushing blow to the throat! In fact combined with what I'm learning in my judo class, I think its an extremely effective tip! Thanks again Brad! -ww

[DandyDon]

Ha! Don wanna see what I can do with a rolled up magazine????  

If your instructor teaches you a primary focus for other than "Look for escape and take it!" then you may have a bad teacher.

That night I had to walk downtown LA streets at night, I was very watchful of my surrounding, and - I carried a roll of quaters in my hand, Can't get arrested for possession of coins, but it'll add a lot of momentum to a blow.

Like my new Cowboy cartoon?

[WreckWench]

Ha! Don wanna see what I can do with a rolled up magazine????  

If your instructor teaches you a primary focus for other than "Look for escape and take it!" then you may have a bad teacher.

That night I had to walk downtown LA streets at night, I was very watchful of my surrounding, and - I carried a roll of quaters in my hand, Can't get arrested for possession of coins, but it'll add a lot of momentum to a blow.

Like my new Cowboy cartoon?

Don men will not usually pick a fight with men as quickly as they will a woman as a female is an easier target. My instructor is not teaching a self-defense class but rather a Judo class that has self-defense overlays to it.

OTOH...getting out a situation is the best option if you have the ability to do it. If however you do not, then defending yourself enough to THEN get out of the situation is the proper course of action. Brad's suggestion would do that and it utilizes a common household object in a manner that would be very effective if needed. Many attackers are hoping that women will just resign themselves to them so they can have the control over them. But you can bet on one thing...if I go out...I'll go out fighting.

The time to think about what you'd do in these types of situations is NOW! Not when they are happening. Each person has to make a decision as to how they will respond to a given situation. And each person should have several back up plans should the primary plan not work. And it is a very good idea for every person but especially women to take some sort of self defense class as well as general conditioning class so that they can be more competent as well as confident in protecting themselves. Many times the proper defense is just knowing how to assess a situation and how to minimize the danger should you find yourself in a harmful situation.

The primary reason women are not encouraged to use a weapon is that they usually do not have enough experience if any, using the weapon and so it will often in turn be used against them. However, if a woman or man for that matter has experience and some level of skill in using a weapon, then they will be effective for them.

I have had the misfortune of being attacked several times in my life. Each time I fought back and was able to defend off my attacker. I have subsequently taken more measures then most to learn to defend myself. I own several guns and I practice using those weapons...however when I shoot I ONLY shoot at center mass. In the event I need to use a weapon under a defense situation...I want to instinctively shoot at center mass which is what I've practiced and practiced over and over. I have not trained with a knife so would not attempt to use one on an attacker as I know it could easily be used against me.

But back to Brad's suggestion of the magazine...part of the effectiveness is that no one would assume that a magazine was dangerous even if they saw it rolled up. They would most likely assume like Don did that you were just stressed out and were taking it out on the magazine or that you were going to somehow hit them with some rolled up wimpy paper. In both situations you hold the element of surprise.

I can easily see myself carrying a rolled up airline magazine after a flight in dark parking lots as well as in a number of other situations.

Brad...thanks! That was an awesome tip! -ww

[randy54]

Stout ink pens work well for stabbing. Kept at the ready in a shirt pocket or the top of a purse.

If you're alone and a bit afraid, you might try acting a bit like a crazy person. Talking out loud, waving your arms. People tend avoid people who act like that.
Keep an eye on your suroundings. If there's an office building, gas station, resturant or hotel/motel to walk into DO IT. NEVER walk like your scared. Hold your head up and act like you mean business. Attackers look for the lone and weak. As much as possible, stay with a group of people.