[at-l] Self defense on the trail

[Phil.Heffington@xxxxxx (Phil Heffington)]

This is NOT an invitation to start a conversation about guns on the trail, =
so let's please not head in that direction.

What I would like input on, though, is the subject of the use of nonviolent=
 personal defense strategies.  If we assume that most individuals are not g=
oing to take a physical weapon with them on the trail (admitting the use of=
 hiking poles as protection against dogs, etc.), and that the person does n=
ot have the physical capacity to overpower the other person, do any of you =
have knowledge of good resources for training people to stop or divert pers=
onal violence from happening to them at the hands of other people.

There is a lot of information out there on the general topic of nonviolence=
.  However, it is almost all related to it's strategic use in social causes=
, or it's application in national defense situations.

I've heard many people express concern about a perceived danger of hiking a=
lone, or the vulnerability of female hikers, for example.  I'm assuming tha=
t a discussion of nonviolent self defense would be applicable not only to t=
he trail, but to daily life as well.  I might start the discussion with a l=
ist of some of the personal strategies I know of for nonviolent defense.  I=
'd like to hear yours, and if you know of any internet or written resources=
 on the topic.

1.  Avoidance - recognizing and staying away from situations that seem to h=
ave a strong potential for danger.
2.  Flight - getting away from the danger before it becomes a threat.
3. Verbal control - saying the right things to de-escalate tension or dange=
r.
4.  Diversion - distracting the potential danger to another action.
5.  Group protection - staying with a group of people around you.

I'm really interested in any resources you know of on this topic.