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Posted by Brind
I always carry a pocket knife, but not as a weapon. It's just handy to have.
However, I've found the best way to make friends when exploring is having a pack of cigarettes. Offering a smoke has gotten me tours by the residents of so many different locations.
These are just people trying to get by. Not something to be scared of.
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Same with the knife.
The cigs are a nice gesture and will work a lot of times I suspect. However unless you know them, you don't know who you're dealing with.
The problem with cigs or even a light is it ties your hands up if your dealing with a mugger.
You need to keep your hands free and limit contact.
Muggers will also feel you out sometimes beforehand for compliance... to see if you're an easy mark.
I've had it happen before.
No is my favorite word... and has served me well.
No will quickly turn into 'Get the fuck up of here!' when I'm dealing with aggressive panhandlers that walk up to me.
No easy ride... it pays to advertise this.
My replies depend on the individual, circumstances, my gut feeling at the time and mood.
That said I avoid going where people live; respect.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Posted by Brind
These are just people trying to get by. Not something to be scared of.
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People seem to unconsciously dehumanize the homeless and think of them as pests at best, or inherent dangers at worst. While it's certainly true that both mental illness and drug addiction are found at much higher rates in homeless people, the mentally ill are rarely violent and more of a threat to themselves- it's the addicts you want to watch out for, as they are desperate and unpredictable.
Still, keep in mind that above all else they are people too. Treating people with dignity will often get you a long way.
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.
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Thank you all for your replies. What I've taken away from this is to just mind my own business, trust my gut, and show anyone I come into contact with that I pose no threat to them. I think I'll bring a maglite since not only is it a good light source but in extreme cases, could be used as a weapon. For sure I'll trust my gut and listen to my friend's opinions too but again, seems like I was making bold assumptions that the people I may come into contact with just want to hurt me or pose a threat to me. Thanks again! This information has been very helpful to me and makes me more comfortable going to places that may be inhabited by others.
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Why do you think you need a weapon? Weapons are used by people who are scared and often times don't even know how to use the weapon effectively. As already stated, the best thing is confidence and acting like you belong there. If you are confident and sure of yourself then that'll stop most problems from happening. I do carry a knife with me when I am exploring, but that it is mostly used as a tool rather than a weapon. I know most of the homeless in my area, both mentally ill and drug addicted and very few of them pose a problem and even fewer will instigate something with someone they see as confident and aware. I think someone who is "normal" will generally cause more problems than a homeless person. The homeless generally don't like "heat" on them.
CMF
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I think at the end of the day, Especially in the OP's situation where they sound new to this. " A weapon " even though you're more than likely never going to use it, is a piece of mind tool. In most cases in the highly unlikely chance you come across someone doing drugs, or living in a place they are going to try to frighten you away first. Make some noise or whatnot. They don't want a battle anymore than you do.
For me, when I feel like we have encounter someone, We leave. They could be wonderful humans, or deranged lunatics. I dont want to find out. I think we forget too homeless people are " people " too, and the big scary factory, is big and scary to them as well, most would rather sleep in a shed behind a church in town.
For me I like a 6 D cell maglite. Not for every explore I do, but some places are a little more sketchy than others... its an elegant tool/weapon, heavy, beefy, feels good to hold, Not a blade, tazer or gun if you get popped by police, and makes you feel secure... and I think that more than anything is the point of the weapon... not so much you would ever use it, but its one less thing on your mind as you enter the rabbit hole. I've never come remotely close to an altercation but in some of the bigger , more unnerving places... especially in my early days of doing this. That heavy flashlight was a little piece of mind, relax a bit and take in the ruins.
[last edit 5/7/2019 8:37 PM by Abandoned Spaces - edited 1 times]
www.abandonedspaces.online | |
Posted by ThatGuyThatPlace
I think at the end of the day, Especially in the OP's situation where they sound new to this. " A weapon " even though you're more than likely never going to use it, is a piece of mind tool. In most cases in the highly unlikely chance you come across someone doing drugs, or living in a place they are going to try to frighten you away first. Make some noise or whatnot. They don't want a battle anymore than you do.
For me, when I feel like we have encounter someone, We leave. They could be wonderful humans, or deranged lunatics. I dont want to find out. I think we forget too homeless people are " people " too, and the big scary factory, is big and scary to them as well, most would rather sleep in a shed behind a church in town.
For me I like a 6 D cell maglite. Not for every explore I do, but some places are a little more sketchy than others... its an elegant tool/weapon, heavy, beefy, feels good to hold, Not a blade, tazer or gun if you get popped by police, and makes you feel secure... and I think that more than anything is the point of the weapon... not so much you would ever use it, but its one less thing on your mind as you enter the rabbit hole. I've never come remotely close to an altercation but in some of the bigger , more unnerving places... especially in my early days of doing this. That heavy flashlight was a little piece of mind, relax a bit and take in the ruins.
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For sure that's the main reason I asked about a weapon. Like you said I am very new to this so it would be used more of a security measure so my friends and I can relax a little bit instead of being tense and worried about every little thing. That's a very good point about not wanting to find out if the person I may encounter could pose a threat to us or even they may not. That was another thing I was worried about and kind of leaning away from, is having an actual weapon which would probably get you in some trouble if caught by police. How do you explain why you had a taser or a knife to police? A flashlight is a lot easier to explain cause.. well it's a flashlight. Thanks again for your reply, I really appreciate the advice. I still have a lot to learn about Urban Exploration!
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Posted by ItsTheBoys
For sure that's the main reason I asked about a weapon. Like you said I am very new to this so it would be used more of a security measure so my friends and I can relax a little bit instead of being tense and worried about every little thing. That's a very good point about not wanting to find out if the person I may encounter could pose a threat to us or even they may not. That was another thing I was worried about and kind of leaning away from, is having an actual weapon which would probably get you in some trouble if caught by police. How do you explain why you had a taser or a knife to police? A flashlight is a lot easier to explain cause.. well it's a flashlight. Thanks again for your reply, I really appreciate the advice. I still have a lot to learn about Urban Exploration!
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No one ever as far as I'm aware of here has ever died due to violence when exploring.
People have died from drowning, falls, and trains.
Many more have been seriously injured.
Don't get so distracted that you fail to see the real dangers that are far more deadly and omnipresent.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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If you have to ask if you should carry a weapon, you almost certainly should not be carrying a weapon. Just my $0.02
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Posted by blackhawk
No one ever as far as I'm aware of here has ever died due to violence when exploring.
People have died from drowning, falls, and trains ]. ...
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*italics added
^^^^^ What he said.
Watch where you step. Your chances of falling through a floor is much higher than finding yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon.
If this isn’t the case, you might be doing it wrong.
I wandered till the stars went dim. | |
Posted by Dee Ashley
*italics added
^^^^^ What he said.
Watch where you step. Your chances of falling through a floor is much higher than finding yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon.
If this isn’t the case, you might be doing it wrong.
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Weak floors put me on edge and I walked the joists many times to avoid crashing through. My biggest fear was in grain elevators, afraid I would lose my concentration and step into one of the numerous big holes built into their floors, pucker factor was increased by 10.
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I always bring nunchucks
The homeless are friends not food. | |
Typically both for infiltration and for a weapon i keep an adjustable wrench on my belt. because someone pulls out a knife "Oh a knife. dealt with this one" But if someone has a wrench on you, what kind of lunatic carries a wrench. Survey says Swallo does.
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Posted by 2Xplorations
Weak floors put me on edge and I walked the joists many times to avoid crashing through. My biggest fear was in grain elevators, afraid I would lose my concentration and step into one of the numerous big holes built into their floors, pucker factor was increased by 10.
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Even worse when said holes are covered with cardboard or something else that will give way when you step on them...
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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I personally wouldn't. Use your street smarts, or if you don't have any, bring a friend who does. As others here have already said, there's no need to be an action hero. If you think a confrontation might happen, leave.
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As a general rule I never leave home without pepper spray because I’ve met very kind homeless people and then I’ve also met major creeps. Cigarettes really are a universal peace offering lol, no one ever really says no. If you’re going to the wood I like to take a nice walking stick the could theoretically be a weapon too. The worst thing that’s ever happened to me was creepy red necks with shot guns that said they were gonna rape us and we dipped (they did paint no trespassing on the side of their barn but still creepy threat). And that didn’t require us having a weapon it just required us to run as fast as we possibly could and it worked. The best offense is a good defense and whatnot? The best weapon is a really good pair of shoes.
Really though if it seems even slightly sketch then just yeet, that’s how you stay out of trouble in the first place. More homeless people are nice and just trying to get by then are not, but better not to disturb people living their lives if you don’t have to.
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Posted by 2Xplorations
Weak floors put me on edge and I walked the joists many times to avoid crashing through. My biggest fear was in grain elevators, afraid I would lose my concentration and step into one of the numerous big holes built into their floors, pucker factor was increased by 10.
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You mean like these? You'd think it was strategic considering how conveniently located at the foot of the stairs they are.
by Dee Ashley, on Flickr
by Dee Ashley, on Flickr
I wandered till the stars went dim. | |
Yes mam, exactly like those, I guess my fear is I could get distracted and walk into one of those Hell holes and fall 8 stories or get stuck something, I try to be careful but in the back of my mind Im still a clumsy goofball!
My apologies to everyone for taking the weapons thread off-course, Im anxious to hear more about what the urbxors are arming themselves with...
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I don't want to need one so I don't carry one. I like to have a knife in the woods but a gun is too heavy IMO. Looking into getting a little 4/10 derringer pistol for snakes but thats more for hiking than urbex.
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No, you shouldn`t!
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