How do I pIrotect myself on the road?

USAF Security Police Academy, Law Enforcement side, Oct 1982. Lots of neat follow-up, SWAT, and PR-24 classes after that... in fact, every 90 days for 18 years... not that I have anything to prove to you or anyone else.

No offense to Florida, but I'm not from there, and I wasn't trained at state or local level - perhaps my training is different.

I think we agree on one thing, though - if you're not ready, you're done, no matter what.

 

11B20V US ARMY 1981-87 USANG 1991-98 Your right if you aren't ready then you're done. Training, Training, Training and common sense are the keys.

 

Can of wasp and hornet spray gives a long stream, legal in all states and is efective.

 

I see a lot of carry this, carry that. I am female, too, and there's really not much of me. I'll tell you what I carry: I carry myself in such a way as to say "I am confident and I am aware. I see you and you won't catch me by surprise. By the way, I do hope you're having a pleasant evening." Walk straight, shoulders back, head up. Look people in the eye and smile in a friendly manner. Greet people if the occasion calls for it. Be polite. Don't try to act tough. Just be yourself. And do everything you can to avoid being in the situation in the first place. Respect yourself both on the radio and in person.

If you really feel you must carry something, get a three-cel metal-cased Mag light. Carry it with the battery end over your shoulder and the pinky side of your hand toward the light end with that side of your hand pointed away from your face. You can blind them with the light just before you slam the battery end down on their collar bone. Unless the nefarious person is on some serious drugs, this blow will incapacitate them long enough for you to get away. It's extremely painful and it takes very little pressure to fracture a collar bone.

Generally speaking, you will be treated in the way you behave. If you act like a victim, you will become one. If you act like a sl** you will be treated like one. If you act like a lady, you will be treated like a lady. This has been my experience.

P.S. ...Do your own work. If you need to chain up to go over Donner, just sigh, put your gloves on and get to work. Carry your own tools: a vise grip, a channel lock, a 4-lb sledge, good quality side cutters, a wire tool, a crescent wrench and a 4-way screwdriver. You can do almost everything with these tools. If it appears you don't have the right tool, in most cases, someone will offer assistance. If you have shown the gumption to at least try, it is okay to accept help. Showing the willingness to get dirty will draw more respect from other drivers than anything else. I, personally, cannot stand a woman driving a truck who can't even change a light bulb.

And welcome to the road.

 

I carry blast knuckles, the noise alone will scare most off, 950,000v:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/blast-knuckles.aspx?a=347620

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All of these sprays have a warning "Illegal to use in manner not intended".

Personal protection against anything other than wasps, bees etc. is "not intended". I believe it is a federal infraction...

Mikeeee

 

A Dog is a woman's best defense in the field and on the truck. Most crime can be avoided by having a keen awareness of your surrounding. What would you do if you were out numbered 3 to 1 by some thugs In South Compton or South Side of Chicago on on an empty street at 3 am after dropping a load? Be prepared. Have a Thumper and A Flash light within arms reach in your truck. Do not park in dark isolated places. And have a cell phone charged and ready at all times. The truth is you will sometimes be alone on a strange place and you must have safety and security on your mind (paranoia) and assume a SOP practice when exiting and entering the truck. Curtains are a must. If some one can see in, that gives them an advantage. If you can, ask the Receiver for information about the truck parking areas Security Guards and over night parking. Lastly, always have someone (A company or family or friend) who knows when and where you are going and check in upon your arrival.

 

"I believe it is a federal infraction... "

So is removing a tag from a mattress, but I really doubt that anyone (especially a woman) will ever be prosecuted for defending themself from attack by using an aerosol product.

 

Amen Injun, amen!

 

"an empty street at 3 am after dropping a load"

As a solo female driver, or any solo for that matter, why would you drop in Compton at 0300? Trip planning is your friend, if there was a drop, you could roll right back out of town, or head to Ontario..

Can't imagine anyone wanting to tempt fate and park in Compton or surrounding area - again, trip planning is the best common sense tool you can use.