patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio

My dog was never trained to attack, its his love for me that makes him so over protective.

Angmo

Yep. This sweetie alerted on a bad guy. Problem solved.

patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio

Nice shots, pretty dog, its just instinc they no what to do.

Angmo

Very true. This GSD took control of the space. Amazing to see. Total ownership of the bad guy.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I'm a septuagenarian and occasionally this thought occurs to me and then my rational brain kicks in. Use some common sense...don't be reckless but get over it and enjoy what life you have left.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Mike

fantom Loc: Colorado

I'm mid-seventies and frequently hike in Fed. Wilderness areas in the Rocky Mountains where there is no cell phone coverage. I carry a Garmin inreach GPS that is also a sat phone (no voice just text). It has a built in SOS function to be used in case of emergency. It works anywhere in the world and is monitored 24/7. Simply push a button and it sends a message saying you have an emergency and one or more professional rescue organizations will contact you via text and ultimately help you regardless of emergency. I pay about $15/month for the service and it is well worth it for the peace of mind. It has numerous other features that are described on the web site for Garmiin.

patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio

Thats great, they will no where to find the body😁😂🤣

fantom Loc: Colorado

That's the whole point.

hcmcdole

That sounds wonderful for those areas with no cell phone coverage. On 9-11 this year (ironic the date?), my wife slipped off a rock at a nearby state park and broke her tibia and dislocated her fibula. My first call to 911 made brief contact and the call ended. I thought I was going to have to hike back to an area of good reception but I tried again and got through the second time. Fortunately we were right next to a marker on the trail and I could tell them the number post on the red trail. The first EMTs were there in about 20 minutes and started her on pain management via IV drip. Five more came about five minutes later and they decided it best to carry her out on the biggest guy - piggy back style since the trail was narrow, rocky, and lots of tree roots. Fortunately there was a second big guy who carried her up several flights of stairs where a pickup truck was waiting to transport her back to the parking lot via a rough access road. Two EMTs and I and my dog hiked it back to the parking lot and had to wait for a few more minutes for the pickup truck to arrive and load her in the EMT truck. Her fall was so quick that I didn't even see her go down as I was about 10 feet behind her (recording some of the terrain on my phone). So be careful out there and make sure you have some communication for help or a fast friend who can jog back to a place with a phone.

Angmo

Ouch! How’s the wife doing today?

Hip Coyote

You bring up quite a few issues in a short post. One of your concerns is falling, summoning help, etc. I carry a cellphone and back up battery pack. (It also has a small flashlight on it.) I also carry the Garmin inReach GPS system (because quite often I am in the hills where there is no cell coverage) which has an SOS capability and the ability to send txt messages via satellite. I have used the system several times include in foreign countries and at sea (fishing when our communications systems were out.) I cannot recommend it enough. I think Garmin just published they had their 3000th save via inReach SOS.

I like photographing with other people, so I belong to a photo club where we have outings. I also suggest you consider using the Meetup App which may have photo outings near you. We use it for hiking and a host of other meetups. It can be a lot of fun. Having other people around will certainly give you a sense of comfort.

As far as being robbed, in spite of flippant one liner rhetoric by town-taming gun slingers or the anti-gun crowd folks, carrying a gun is an option. 35 years of law enforcement in a big city, I have some experience. But carrying a gun is a huge responsibility that exposes one to potential liability, possibly added danger, etc. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me their dad taught them to shoot. My dad taught me to throw a football, but not necessarily play the game. When gun-play is at hand it requires not only firearms proficiency, but tactical proficiency and a survival mindset that not everyone has. In short, it is a huge decision that I think far too many people take lightly. The use of lesser weapons, such as pepper (OC) spray is a viable option. It may deter an attacker, a vicious dog and will not inflict a fatal wound on you if you are disarmed. Again, you have to practice and pre-plan for its use.

If someone were to rob (take by force or fear) me of my camera gear, I would allow them to take it if I were not in jeopardy of serious injury or death. Same thing with invasions into my home. We plan on barricading ourselves in a bedroom, calling the police and allowing the bad guys to take what they want. They threaten us, then obviously the scenario has changed and deadly force is an option.

Someone mentioned carrying a 2nd wallet. I do that in foreign countries in case of pickpockets, street robberies, etc. So far, not takers. I have those bogus credit cards from mail offers and a few dollars and foreign money in the wallet.

I have traveled widely, and walked many parts that were somewhat sketchy. I am always pleasantly surprised that most people are nice and respectful. To live in fear is a terrible thing. Prepare for potential bad situations, properly equip yourself, place some faith in the fact that most people are good and have some faith in a higher authority (if you are of that belief.) Go have fun with photography.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Excellent advice except that you said "far too few take lightly" when you meant far too *many* take lightly.

Hip Coyote

you are right...I mean for to few take seriously...ooops

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

This is excellent and rational advice. Well said!

Andy