“Personal Safety for the Runner & Hiker”
Personal safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are at work, home, or on the street, you need to take steps to ensure that you remain safe. Fortunately for us here in the Northwest, we remain somewhat isolated from the crime and violence of other parts of the country.
Nevertheless, we do have crime here--and people who will hurt you or take advantage of you if they can. By taking some simple common sense approaches to your personal safety, you can stack the odds on your side and live a safe and secure life.
Listed below are some safety tips for runners and hikers. Remember, these tips can also be applied to other areas of life, not just while running or hiking Tubbs Hill.
Safety Tips:
Don’t over do it. Get a medical check up before running or hiking.
Hike and run with another person or a dog.
Avoid hiking or running at night.
Be aware of conditions: steep hills, rocky areas, weather, etc.
Avoid wearing headphones, or items that will distract you and prevent you from being fully aware of who and what are around you.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
Carry a cell phone.
Report suspicious activity and persons to local police immediately.
Run and hike during busy times; there is safety in numbers.
Let someone know where you will be at all times.
Have a plan; what would you do if you were confronted with an emergent or threatening situation?
Consider taking a CPR/First Aid course.
Consider taking a Personal Safety course.
Stay current with events in the local area. Know what is going on in the local area.
If you carry personal defense items, understand the legal and ethical requirements. Most importantly, seek a qualified trainer before carrying any personal defense items.
Don’t be an easy target. Use non-verbal signals so that you don’t appear submissive: make eye contact with strangers; keep your posture upright; and have the proper mind set.
Author: Dave Fowler is an avid runner and outdoorsman who has been running Tubb’s Hill for more than 15 years. He is the founder of Personal Safety Training and Protection (PSTP) located here in the Northwest. PSTP offers training and consulting in all aspects of personal and occupational security. Dave's background in security operations, training, and personal protection assignments span the last decade and a half.
Dave is also the author and founder of “Personal Safety 101,” an in-depth program which teaches you how to be safe and secure at home, work, and in public settings. Dave developed the course to go beyond the occupational structure that most programs address. Personal Safety 101 empowers you to increase your confidence in emergent and threatening situations.
