Going For A Walk And Avoiding Risk Of Attack
When going out for a walk or jog, there are many safety considerations that seem conspicuously obvious.
First, know the area through which you will be traveling.
I'm not only referring to your specific route, but to alternate paths, detours and alleys that can be utilized if you sense danger.
Sometimes, merely returning on the path you were on is not the best course.
While you are out, awareness of your surroundings is your greatest defense against attack.
An alert walker or jogger, with head turning and eyes roaming, will give you ample warning of an approaching person or animal.
Do not let yourself appear vulnerable.
The other night, while on a walk just after sunset, I could hear footsteps coming from behind me.
Before I turned around, I quickly looked for well lit places to put distance between me and the people coming up behind me.
Street corners are best, but under street lights are good too.
Wide spots in the sidewalk or even stepping onto someone's driveway can often provide an adequate distance buffer.
Before they got much closer, I stopped, stepped to the side of the sidewalk, turned and faced the oncoming footsteps.
It was a young couple out for a stroll like me.
Once I had assessed the threat and found that it represented a low risk, I proceeded on.
If the risk had been uncertain or greater, I would have moved further out of the way while maintaining eye contact.
In this particular case, my only avenue of retreat would have been off the curb and into the street, since the sidewalk was bordered on my right side by a steep hill.
Had the threat been real, I would have been ready.
I always have my safety device/weapon in my hand, ready to use, not in a pocket.
Remember, attackers won't wait for you to reach for your safety device/weapon, always be alert and unafraid to look at your surroundings and other people.
To not do so could increase your risk of becoming a victim and possession of a personal protection product useless.
Keep violence at a distance - be prepared to use your safety weapon at a moment's notice.
First, know the area through which you will be traveling.
I'm not only referring to your specific route, but to alternate paths, detours and alleys that can be utilized if you sense danger.
Sometimes, merely returning on the path you were on is not the best course.
While you are out, awareness of your surroundings is your greatest defense against attack.
An alert walker or jogger, with head turning and eyes roaming, will give you ample warning of an approaching person or animal.
Do not let yourself appear vulnerable.
The other night, while on a walk just after sunset, I could hear footsteps coming from behind me.
Before I turned around, I quickly looked for well lit places to put distance between me and the people coming up behind me.
Street corners are best, but under street lights are good too.
Wide spots in the sidewalk or even stepping onto someone's driveway can often provide an adequate distance buffer.
Before they got much closer, I stopped, stepped to the side of the sidewalk, turned and faced the oncoming footsteps.
It was a young couple out for a stroll like me.
Once I had assessed the threat and found that it represented a low risk, I proceeded on.
If the risk had been uncertain or greater, I would have moved further out of the way while maintaining eye contact.
In this particular case, my only avenue of retreat would have been off the curb and into the street, since the sidewalk was bordered on my right side by a steep hill.
Had the threat been real, I would have been ready.
I always have my safety device/weapon in my hand, ready to use, not in a pocket.
Remember, attackers won't wait for you to reach for your safety device/weapon, always be alert and unafraid to look at your surroundings and other people.
To not do so could increase your risk of becoming a victim and possession of a personal protection product useless.
Keep violence at a distance - be prepared to use your safety weapon at a moment's notice.
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