Personal safety when enjoying the great outdoors.

[Deb London]

Another thread has prompted me ask what steps forum members take to ensure their personal safety w.r.t. violent crime when enjoying the great outdoors. What is your attitude to walking alone in the British countryside? If we listen enough to the media we might be forgiven if we conclude that there is a pervert/mugger/rapist/murderer around every corner. But maybe there no real threat, especially if we take certain precautions.

As a woman I have a certain amount of trepidation when walking or running alone. I won't wear earphones and prefer to meet up with people or drag the OH along. But lately the call of the wild has proved a little too much. On one occasion recently I followed a path that led me to a very overgrown area where I did a prompt about-turn when I realised that the pile of rubbish was in fact two or more homeless people asleep in sleeping bags. On that occasion I was thankful that I am generally up before most people.

I'd be interested to hear everyone else's thoughts on the subject.

[Wild-Woman]

I think the most important thing is, is to 'know your area'- every pathway, tree, bush and open space. You have the advantage over someone who may not know the area so well then.
Learn the area in a group first and don't take unnecessary risks. Check out the car park. If there's lots of cars, you're probably safer than if there was just one.
Mobile phone- essential. Let someone know where you are and what time you're planning on returning by.
I found out that even if your mobile signal is weak or non existant, 999 should work from any network. (Can someone confirm that- that's what I have been told)
With cameras and expensive optics- go in a group, or at least pairs. All that money in a rucksack is too tempting to the odd chancer!

[Kayleigh]

Yes you have to be careful but you also have to live your life..I carry a mobile phone and its on I also go out walking the same time as another dog walker so we bump into each other there are other dog walkers around too so I am never quite alone.

[aeshna5]

Perhaps as a guy I tend to just go where I want without worrying too much- though there's a lot of good advise from the previous posters.

I was badly mugged in London over 20 years ago, but nothing to do with wild places but in a London subway where my money/cards were stolen + I was left with bruised ribs, black eye, etc.

Fortunately life's been kind since + I've never had any other incident + I won't be deterred from doing my own thing. I appreciate it's probably more tricky for solo women than for men but it is easy to get things out of perspective.

[hobo1]

I always tell someone where and when i am going , take my phone and my dog , and only take small camera to the quieter places .
In a lot of ways i feel annoyed that i should feel the need to take precautions , but common sense prevails .

[Susie]

I go where I want when I want. I don't stick to any routine so no one can work out a pattern of my movements. If I see anyone I dont like the look of I will walk the other way. Fortunately most places round here are very quiet and it was only in London I ever felt uncomfortable.

[Susie]

I also apply common sense to what I wear. I got chatting to someone today while out who it turns out views a forum I am on and was surprised I didnt look like my profile picture (the same one I have here). I may scrub up okay but I am not going to go out showing decolletage and in full make up!

[APC]

Krav Maga.

Ability to outrun most yobs.

Someone will know where I am and when I'll be back.

Money in sock apart from a fiver as a token mugging gesture in my wallet, should the need arise.

[Burko]

Cases are far too isolated to be worried about.

As said before - mobile phone and telling someone where you're going and when you expect to be back as a bare minimum course of action.

You're biggest danger out there is YOU.

Good things to have in a bag are:
First aid kit
Whistle
Signal mirror
Small torch
Phone - in a plastic ziplock bag
Foil blanket
Clean water

It might sound OTT but imagine trying to get out of somewhere with a broken leg/ankle. You could be there for hours before rescue.

[STYRBJORN]

Funny thing is the dodgepots tend to run off when they see me . . . .

Ric