jerseymike

So, it is really the CCP that has your ire.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

If something or someone attacks you and you need to defend yourself?? It's one part of preparation, and it's not a multi-purpose device. That's why you wouldn't pack a flashlight to provide shelter.

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Wow! Thanks for that tip. Never would have thought of Therma Care to warm a lens.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

My reply was to a comment that mentioned carrying a gun as an alternative to going out with someone. I don't think that one substitutes the other. I provided an example/situation in which being with someone else would make a difference.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

We both have firearms at that point

So we can both defend ourselves, and help each other get out if needed.

george19

Good list.

Back in October I visited the Lowell Observatory, and the grounds are kept dark to avoid light pollution (but the surrounding environment not so great).

I needed to use the lav, consulted the map, and found it. On the way back, smack into a low bench at height just below the knee...

photoman43

I would add to the list:
lens warmers to prevent lenses fogging during long shots

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Expensive!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Good checklist learned no doubt from valuable experience. Thanks.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

great Advice

DSPhoto Loc: South Carolina

As a female, safety has some different things to keep in mind. I never go alone for two reasons-
1- to have a second pair of eyes watching my back.
2- when your concentration gets focused on your shot, you are not thinking about what’s going on around you. I usually have some expensive equipment sitting around & usually I have most of it packed in a backpack. So while I’m in my concentration to get the perfect shot, it would be easy for someone to sneak up behind me & snag the backpack. Again the use of the second pair of eyes.
We also have a plan of action just in case. Also it takes a really good friend to go out & stand around while I’m enjoying the photo taking & she is freezing.

I like a lot of the lists posted here & appreciate you sharing. I think I will take the ones that fit my situations and make me one list as a good reminder before leaving.

Although it seems like a small thing, a backup flashlight or batteries can be a life saver. Or hope you have enough battery in your phone to last as a light...

As for the CWP issue. I have mine & wouldn’t feel right out in the dark with out protection. I’ve been around & have had training using weapons ever since I was a little girl. I’d rather have a fighting chance than not. Not to say, I’ve seen a good number of people decide they need a CWP. Run out by a gun, get a friend to show them how to shoot it, get there CWP & think they are prepared. Big mistake! It takes a lot of training to really learn & be comfortable with a weapon & using it in a stressful situation. Which I’ve been in.

Get those beautiful night shots & be safe!!

gasstro Loc: Indiana

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

Wish I saw this a couple of years ago when I first started to get into astronomy. Here is a copy of my original posting to a forum I belonged to. The below actually did happen to me, and I can now laugh about it.
Enjoy

"There is no doubt that astronomy is a wonderful and fascinating hobby, but it doesn't seem that it's for me. All I've managed to do is spend a lot of money and get nothing but frustration in return.

What I've learned from my mistakes is that I should have done some homework before making any investment. I should also have joined this forum first, and gone to a star gazing party, to see how things work, and finally I should have determined if I lived in an area that was more suitable for viewing.

Your advice has been priceless, but the events early this morning clinched it for me.

Bear in mind, what happened this morning is not made up, and after the fact, it is funny, but at the time it wasn't funny to me.

At around 4:am I packed my stuff and went to a location a few miles from my house called Riker Hill. A long time ago Riker Hill was a missile site, then it was turned into an artist commune. The barracks were converted to house the artist and give them a shop to create their art. I picked this location because it's close to home, it's pretty dark, elevated, and close to home. Some years ago a group of star gazers gathered at the site for some stellar event, I have no idea what is was, but it was something exciting that had a lot of people show up.

Anyway, here I go into the dark fields, tripod in hand, red light in another, and 2 EP's in my pocket, and getting ready to find a suitable spot. Then all hell broke loose, I must have disturbed a racoon or some other night crawler, I scared him, and he scared the crap out of me. Needless to say I dropped the tripod and ran to my car, but it gets worse! I went in a different direction than I used to get back to the car and fell. I woke a flock of sleeping Canadian geese and they were pissed. Between the racket that we made, we woke up a few of the residents of the commune. (I haven't run that fast in over 45 years), the cops were called, (a few artists called them saying there was a fight taking place). You must understand My town is small, and the cops don't have much excitement going on. Luckily I knew a couple of them. After they composed themselves, they help me find my flashlight, tripod and I went home. I broke both EP's and cracked the lens on my flashlight. Thankfully I hadn't taken my scope out of the car yet.

I can only blame myself for what happened. I should have never gone into the woods by myself and unarmed (good thing I wasn't armed). Now I know why you folks have start gazing parties. Being in a group is the way to go. I should have done the same thing I do when I go to the beach. I don't go deeper than waist high, and I stay in the middle of the biggest group of people that are in the water. This way if anything comes at us I have a chance to get out unhurt! LOL

So go ahead and have a good laugh, I'm sitting here shaking my head, licking my wounds and still having a hard time believing this crap happened to me!"

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Sadly, that's the world where we live
Some of what you say applies to both genders, whenever possible I like to go out with a group. Not only for safety, but to share the moment and the experience of each other.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Funny story once you are safe and back home, I see why was not funny during the night :)
What does EP stand for?