[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[at-l] Self defense on the trail.

If there is ONE place that remains in the entire world where I want and NEED
to feel like I don't require ANY extra means of self-defense, it's the AT.
If my Leatherman Micra doesn't scare em off than so be it.

Re: the whistle, that's just good common hiking sense as a means to signal
help, be it from Eric Rudolph, from being lost off trail, or for laying in
the trailbed with a broken ankle/snakebite/bear mauling, etc..



-----Original Message-----
From: at-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:at-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Gary Wright
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 2:02 PM
To: at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] Self defense on the trail.


One recommendation that I haven't seen here on the list is to
carry a whistle with you.  Make sure it is accessible (tied to
your back straps, pants pocket, and so on).  The international
signal for help is three blasts.  The sound of a whistle will
travel a lot farther than your voice and I would think has
a good chance of being heard by several people if you are in
the seasonal pack of thru-hikers.  If you are lost, injured,
or being attacked by man, woman, or beast, this might be the
only way to call for help.

I was surprised how many people asked me if I felt safe, if
I was going to carry a knife or a gun, if I was hiking with
a partner and so on.  I understand that the probability of
being assaulted on the trail isn't zero, but there are so
many other things that are more likely that it seems the
attention given to personal safety from assault is out of whack
with the actual risk or other safety issues.  Maybe if I had
attended those safety meetings every afternoon on the trail I
would understand all this more. :-)

Radar

_______________________________________________
>From the AT-L mailing list         est. 1995
Need help?  http://www.at-l.org
Archives: http://www.backcountry.net/arch/at/
Change your options or unsubscribe:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l

Stay on topic!