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06/02/2004 10:29:59 PM · #26 |
I've been mugged about 10 years ago late at night in a city subway station and I managed to escape, yet, I have not developed any fears of being mugged or attacked by people. I"m also a long distance bicyclist and used to bike home from work when I worked in the city. Since I worked the evening shift at that time, I would be biking home at about 1 to 2 in the morning. There was a couple of times that was chased by what appeared to be junk yard dogs. I also managed to espcape those times and I found that what worked really well with dogs, and I would imagine with people who are going to attack you too, is a loud whistle. The kind that referees use at ball games that can be heard all the way to the top "nose bleed" seats. Now, every dog that has chased me, except for one (which I'll tell you about in a minute) this works like a charm and they stop dead in their tracks and run away from you with their tales between their legs.
About 2 years ago, the one time I didn't have my trusty whistle, I was attacked by a German Shepard and have since developed a fear of dogs. The dog bit me on the leg and now, even with the whistle, my heart starts to race whenever I see a dog.
One other factor concerning dogs. If they see you start to run, or can tell that you are scared, they will come charging and chasing, so try to move away from them slowly and deliberately, not making eye contact, but not taking your eyes off of them either. Their instinct is to go chasing after prey.
edit: I really don't like to carry any mace around because you can't always tell which way the wind is blowing, and one thing you don't want to do is get that stuff in YOUR face that was meant for your attacker.
Also, I've started to carry with me a nice sized jack knife for dogs that are big, like ratwilers and especially pit bull terriers, which have been in the news in the recent past as having attacked a woman in SF and killing her. Plus, a friend's wife was attacked by a dog that nearly ripped her neck out. So I'm pretty concerned out there, especially given that many dog owners don't take seriously the leash law.
Message edited by author 2004-06-02 22:35:00. |
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06/03/2004 12:26:43 AM · #27 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by hannafate:
I have found that if I babble about aliens stealing the brains of the CIA, people leave me alone. |
lol...good idea....i'll have to try that. |
Too late, they were stolen years ago ... |
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06/03/2004 12:39:31 AM · #28 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by hannafate:
I have found that if I babble about aliens stealing the brains of the CIA, people leave me alone. |
lol...good idea....i'll have to try that. |
Too late, they were stolen years ago ... |
rats! guess i'll have to babble about something else. :)
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06/03/2004 02:06:41 AM · #29 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by hannafate:
I have found that if I babble about aliens stealing the brains of the CIA, people leave me alone. |
lol...good idea....i'll have to try that. |
Too late, they were stolen years ago ... |
rats! guess i'll have to babble about something else. :) |
The babbling works, but it helps to wrap your head in aluminum foil and build some antennas out of an old clothes hanger or two.
A 9mm Glock helps too, if you get in a really sticky spot.
Message edited by author 2004-06-03 02:08:59.
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06/03/2004 03:03:55 AM · #30 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by sher9204:
Originally posted by hannafate:
I have found that if I babble about aliens stealing the brains of the CIA, people leave me alone. |
lol...good idea....i'll have to try that. |
Too late, they were stolen years ago ... |
rats! guess i'll have to babble about something else. :) |
The babbling works, but it helps to wrap your head in aluminum foil and build some antennas out of an old clothes hanger or two.
A 9mm Glock helps too, if you get in a really sticky spot. |
hmm...aluminum foil would also keep the aliens from being able to read my mind. a bonus!
of course, if i'm babbling too much someone might decide to use a 9mm Glock on me.
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06/03/2004 03:50:53 AM · #31 |
Once I was in San Francisco taking night shots in the park near SFMOMA (can't remember the name of the park) and there were plenty of people walking around so I felt very safe. Then as I left the park to take pictures of buildings etc I saw this one odd man following me so I just stopped at a busy street corner and pretended to take a picture of the building that was there and he stopped too. This freaked me out so I just packed up my camera and pocket tripod and went back to my hotel room. I've wanted to document the homeless near downtown LA but I dare not go there on my own late at night with a couple thousand dollars worth of camera gear to lose not to mention my life. Like someone said earlier, no photo is worth your own life and that is so true. Personal safety should always come first.
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06/03/2004 07:28:01 AM · #32 |
Move to Iceland ... here in Isafjordur I can walk outside safe and don't have to worry about anything. :)
I often go out in the middle of the night and just walk around no bad company that will hit me in the head and steal my gear. |
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06/03/2004 07:58:41 AM · #33 |
| I live in a so called third world country and have on many occasions gone on a photo shoot at all time of night, and day for that matter. my latest adventure has been to get up before sunrise to capture daybreak over the harbour in our port. I always drive around the area two or three times with my lights on bright to look out for any unsavoury characters. once settling on a good spot I only take the bare essentials out of the car with me, Camera / tripod and lenses. I always carry my Maglight and make sure that I stand in as well lit area as possible. I have yet to have an incedent in my own country. Of course having very good insurance also helps. |
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