Personal Safety Information

A few other things about the ATM. Keep the vehicle in gear, with the emergency brake off. An automatic transmission should be in drive, with your foot on the brake, ready to go to the gas. A standard transmission is in gear, clutch depressed, foot on brake. Even if it stalls, the car should lurch a couple feet and relieve the immediate danger. If you carry a concealed weapon, have it ready. I live in Florida, it's under a shirt on the front seat. The doors are locked, the windows are all up but the one I"m reaching out of. Awareness of one's surroundings is key, don't set yourself up to be a victim because the ATM was convenient.

Mark

 

The ATM's... also known as Automatic Thief Magnets. These things are a nightmare, not only on your checking account but on you too. The drive up ones usually make you expose too much of yourself which makes you a great target. The walk in ones are always in a little 6x8 room that restricts you movement. The inside ones usually have two cameras one that is in the upper corner of the room to video people walking in and the one in the machine to catch the face up close.
If you must hit one of these then do the following things. First Never, Never, Never go alone. Take at least one other person with you and if at all possible go armed. When you go in to get your cash have your friend stand by the door and put their foot up against it. If someone tries to come in the door won't move and your friend can say you'll be out in a minute. You have effectively put a barrier (small but somthing) between the possible attacker and you. Most people will back off and wait. If they don't then you should have your cell phone with you which will allow you to call 911.
Your friend should also be looking out and around not at what you are doing. Most banks have great landscaping around the front door with small shrubs or nice little boulders. Great for people hiding. Your friend should be looking to see if someone is trying to sneak up or mess with the car. Once you get your money if they need some then trade off but faster is better so if you can do so get what they need as well and have them pay you back. Your friend should go out first and get the car going then once they look around and give you a nod you come out get in the car and go.
I know this sounds like a presidential motorcade but think on this... aren't you just as important as a President?
Drive ups are just as bad because you are usually hanging half way out of the car to get your card in that damn little slot so you can put your pin in. If someone is hiding behind the machine thats a great time to grab you pull you out since you can't keep your seat belt on while doing this. Then they have a nice new car and you don't have squat because most people keep their cell phone in the car usually in the mid console.

The best option is to not use these things but if you do then do it during the daytime when your chances of being a victim is a tad lower.
Take care Be safe Poacher.

 

These are great tips! Honestly, common sense and observation can go a long way, but it pays to be mindful of everything around you. Trust no one!

 

Geeeze guys...this thread is like "how to scare a foreign guy and make him even more paranoid than he already is"...worst thing we have here are domestic disputes (that can turn nasty rarely), and neighbors kicking each others butts for sh.ts and giggles....all of the things discussed here are new for me...ATM's? Parking lots?...huh...

 

Okay, this is an excellent thread. This is the first time I have seen it. I have 2 points to add.
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As to cars/vehicles broke down along side the road. I DO NOT STOP UNLESS I RECOGNIZE AND KNOW THE PERSON, EVER. What I do is slow and get a description of the vehicle and occupants. I mark my mileage to the 10th of a mile. I break out my cell phone and continue driving until I get to a positive reference point I can give to the police dispatcher, then I pull over and dial 911. I give them my name and my report, answer all their questions and terminate the call when they are satisfied.
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well CRS has struck, and I have forgot my second point....lol
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Ha!!! I remembered. When in larger cities and or not so nice neighborhoods, when driving your car. If you have to stop behind someone at a stop sign or stop light, ... leave yourself 3/4 to one full car length between you and the one in front of you. This gives you room to whip your wheel hard right or left, and go around the vehicle in front if danger approaches. Also, if struck from behind in a desolate area; DO NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP. Use your cell phone and dial 911, give your location and drive to a well lit occupied area. keep dispatch on the phone. request a LEO on site asap. If you are armed, keep it handy and your car locked. Window no more than cracked slightly to communicate.
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stay safe

 

I have been looking for many years for a class that would teach 'observation'. I know that this is taught in the military but have yet to find a class within driving distance. I try to observe on my own, but miss so much, I am sure. Living way out in the country and rarely going to big cities is a handicap.

I liked the idea of the mirrors in an early post. Going to order some for sure. We have a blind spot on our front porch that I have always been uncomfortable about.

One thing I HAVE done and recommend: I bought a purse and also a fanny pack from a site that sells Pacsaf items. These purses/fanny packs/backpacks have built in security. There are airline cables that run through the straps so that even if an attempt is made to cut the strap it can't be cut through; a metal mesh bottom that also can't be cut through and clips that secure all zipper pulls so that someone can't sneak into your bag. One of the straps also has a clip that when you undo it, you can fasten it around something else, such as the handle of the grocery cart then reclip it. I have used these for about five years and wouldn't buy another purse without these features.

Love this thread! Keep up the great posts!!

 

Yes...All true, but nothing new. I've known this for years. Only way to be safe is taking the battery out...We noticed that when they are listening, a faint echo appears...like you hear yourself talking with a delay.

 

He's got some excellent books out, as well as some good DVDs on the reality of knife fighting.

One book that I HIGHLY recommend is Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear.

See:

The Gift of Fear - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Gift of Fear

The Gift of Fear Book Review

Amazon.com: The Gift of Fear : Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence (9780316235020):…

 

We had this month like epidemic pick-pocketing... mostly tourists and stuff...but I remembered what a girl did some years ago...or so the rumor was...
She took an empty wallet and saw on it fishing tri-hooks...and went to a bus ride...
They had to take the thief to hospital to remove the hooks...Yikes!
In the army we had like training of some techniques and improvisations...one was nice for assassination in a crowd with maximum effect...Hand grenade packed in steel wire with fish hooks...Hook the victim in the back, pull the pin, take cover....3000 steel balls do a lot of damage...

 

The basic recurring theme in the Gift of Fear is:

TRUST YOUR GUT

In today's "civilized" world, it's all to easy to be deceived by a smile, good clothing, or a "safe" environment. Listen to the little voice saying "watch out."

I think you'll like the book (available dirt cheap, used on Amazon).

 

I very strongly agree...Reason and common sense work ONLY when we have enough relevant info to make rational decision. When we don't, instincts, or as you say "gut" takes over. Instincts saved my butt more than once!...