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Archive 2010 · travel photography/self defense

  
 
SJMD
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p.2 #1 · travel photography/self defense


Lars Johnsson wrote:
And what about the number of casualties from Terrorist if you travel in the USA. Thousends of people have died from terrorists in the USA.
We get the same warnings from our State Dep. when we like to travel to your country



Lars I was thinking the same thing.

Get insurance, if they rob you, ask to keep your pictures,
it is only camera equipment.
Choose your battles wisely, you might just lose.

best

steve



Apr 05, 2010 at 05:04 PM
C.Rosenthal
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p.2 #2 · travel photography/self defense


My F100 could do some damage. Then, I could take photos of the results.


Apr 05, 2010 at 05:30 PM
photosenior
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p.2 #3 · travel photography/self defense


Thanks for the comments!- insurance and common sense will do- thanks for the wisdom.



Apr 05, 2010 at 09:26 PM
h_2_o
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p.2 #4 · travel photography/self defense


slightly OT but take hand sanitizer. dont ask why i don't want to go down that road but trust me use it after shaking hands with anyone.


Apr 05, 2010 at 10:48 PM
wordski
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p.2 #5 · travel photography/self defense


Turkey shows up at #47 on the most dangerous countries list..

..one spot above the U.S.



Apr 06, 2010 at 04:01 PM
Steady Hand
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p.2 #6 · travel photography/self defense


wordski wrote:
Turkey shows up at #47 on the most dangerous countries list..

..one spot above the U.S.


Post a link to the list. I would like to see the top 10 etc.



Apr 06, 2010 at 05:25 PM
liamh
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p.2 #7 · travel photography/self defense


I'll take a guess at the top ten; Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Bolivia, Columbia, Guinea and France.


Apr 06, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Steady Hand
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p.2 #8 · travel photography/self defense


liamh wrote:
I'll take a guess at the top ten; Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Bolivia, Columbia, Guinea and France.


Well...that WAS too easy for a world traveler like you!


Some countries have endemic violence (among their own citizens).

Some others have been sites of "global (or local) terrorist" acts. Examples: Egypt (Luxor attack), Indonesia (Bali Bombings), Spain (Madrid Trains), Russia (Moscow Metro), England (bus and tube bombings).

For tourist oriented attacks though?

I think "tourist" incidents would be the key number to see.

Another thing to see: the top 50.



Apr 06, 2010 at 05:46 PM
Steady Hand
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p.2 #9 · travel photography/self defense


Recent Index CLIP below with source link for those who want to know more.

THIS list is focused on TERRORIST attacks, not TOURIST attacks.

_______________

CLIP

A global ranking, revealing the countries most at risk from terrorist attacks, has rated Iraq as the most dangerous country for the second year running, whilst Thailand has slipped into the extreme risk category for the first time.

The Terrorism Risk Index (TRI) has been developed by Maplecroft for companies to assess terrorism risks to their international assets. The index measures not only the risks of an attack, but also the chances of mass casualties occurring.

Iraq (1), Afghanistan (2), Pakistan (3) and Somalia (4) top the ranking of 196 countries and are rated, along with Lebanon (5), India (6), Algeria (7), Colombia (8) and Thailand (9), as the only extreme risk nations.

According to the TRI, even though the terrorist situation in Iraq has improved, the frequency, scale and human impact of attacks still makes it the most extreme risk country for terrorism, with nearly 4,500 civilians killed in 2009.

Ranked 11th in last year's Terrorism Risk Index, Thailand has now dropped two places in the ranking and into the extreme risk category. Terrorism incidents in Thailand's restive Muslim south - such as the October 2009 bomb attacks in Sungai Kolok - largely account for the country's rating.

The Philippines (10), Turkey (14), Russia (15), Nigeria (24) and Spain (34) all rate as high risk countries, whilst the UK (41), China (43), USA (46) and France (56) are considered medium risk. Countries rated at low risk include Germany (81), Canada (116) and Australia (120).


http://www.maplecroft.com/about/news/terrorism_risk_index_feb_10.html



Apr 06, 2010 at 05:54 PM
pawlowski6132
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p.2 #10 · travel photography/self defense


Protect your self and your property at all times. Don't let anyone tell you differently.


Apr 06, 2010 at 08:34 PM
vchowdhary
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p.2 #11 · travel photography/self defense


Do keep in mind though the TRI is not an indicator of safety in general.

You would probably a lot safer in most parts of India (born in), Turkey (spent 30 amazing days on a visit) than in specific parts of the US (live in for the past 10 years). So it does depend a lot on what part of town/country you're in.

Think it also depends on where you're from and where you're going to?

Indians in Australia might be a different story? Ofcourse, that wouldnt show up on the TRI though.




Apr 06, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Tubby
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p.2 #12 · travel photography/self defense


As one that studies, prepares, and unfortunately puts self in harms way for work; I put it this way:

1) In General terms: Don't be paranoid but absolutely be as prepared as you can be. Also as we say, "Don't go to stupid places, don't hang out with stupid people, and don't do stupid things."

2) In more personal and detailed terms: Be always aware of your situation and who and what's around you. Be keen to your inner voice and understand and embrace the natural instinct of "fear" and react to it as an animal reacts to danger. Animals don't think about fear, they react to it. Also a good idea in life to have personal defensive training and if you can legally carry a weapon then do so only if you are trained and know how to use it.

3) Backup plan is yes to have insurance and somone else along to "watch your back" is a really good thing.

It's a good question. Don't listen to the "oh nothing will ever happen to you" folks. Those are called denyers and when something happens they fall hard. I always hear victims afterward (if they are alive) saying, "I never thought it would happen to me" and later they always say, "I wish I had done this or that as a little ounce of prevention".

Good luck. Be confident, alert, and don't act like the helpless sheep but rather the "don't mess with me" lion. Predators are always looking for the sheep.



Apr 07, 2010 at 01:00 AM
Langran
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p.2 #13 · travel photography/self defense


I've wandered around plenty of places that might be considered dodgy, both in my own country and not. I guess what applies to every situation is that you look at the risk, you make a judgement call and that's it. If you gear is insured then it's disposable when it comes to getting mugged. I've always taken the approach that if you have a weapon you only increase the chances of something really bad happening. I'd hand over all my gear if it means avoiding a confrontation where me, my friends or my family might get hurt. I'm English though and we have a different approach to self defence I think on the whole. We're not used to having the option of being geared up with weapons.

As for the comments about terrorists etc, if someone really does want to kill a load of innocent civilians then I doubt any kind of weapon that you're going to be able to carry is going to stop that.




Apr 07, 2010 at 07:35 AM
Evan Baines
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p.2 #14 · travel photography/self defense


As someone who has above average experience in sketchy places:

Carrying any kind of weapon is a commitment and a responsibility. I am perpetually flabbergasted at US concealed carry permit holders who believe that going to a static range a few times a year and shooting a box of ammo slowly and methodically (never from the draw) is adequate training to employ a deadly weapon under extreme duress. Any weapon that you bring along (even a baton) may give you a false sense of security, leading you to take risks you otherwise wouldn't... but more importantly, the level of training required to produce the baton quickly and employ it effectively (there IS training for baton use!) is significant. Attempting to produce a weapon, or producing it but ineffectively utilizing it is an instant escalation of conflict that may provoke your assailants to a higher level of violence.

My point is not that one should never carry a weapon, but that if you choose to carry a weapon without extensive training with that weapon under realistic circumstances, you are probably worse off than if you had left the weapon at home.



Apr 07, 2010 at 08:16 AM
saintroad
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p.2 #15 · travel photography/self defense


Ben, you don't need a baton to defend yourself.

Just don't be passive and look like an easy brainless tourist. Maintain situational awareness, make eye contact and make sure you know that any place in the world can be dangerous especially when you don't know the area. It isn't a matter of being afraid, or coming off aggressively, as it is simply always being prepared.

There were numerous times in Romania, Italy & Croatia that I knew thieves were lurking around the major tourist venues. Military experience (forward infantry) helps tremendously in the ability to analyze situations quickly and root out troublemakers who might think twice when they know you are on your game.

Be alert & have fun. Be glad you are not in Somalia.









Apr 07, 2010 at 08:32 AM
finster1018
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p.2 #16 · travel photography/self defense


I'd take the impliment with me if I were shooting or in the proximity of wild animals...but if someone wants your camera, give it to them. I agree with Steadyhand, you pull a knife, he shoots you with a gun, and STILL takes your equipment. Now what would that have accomplished.

Stay in public places and obey your instincts. Stay out of places that would isolate you and your chances of being bothered would significantly diminish. Of course a small can of mace wouldn't hurt since you could use it if say a dog attacked or a person attempted to mug you.



Apr 07, 2010 at 09:37 AM
anthonysemone
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p.2 #17 · travel photography/self defense


+1 to "you can't get enough training." In my other life as a police shrink, I can't begin to tell you that, even among our "finest," there are too few opportunities for scenario-based, under-duress training. While everyone has to begin somewhere, as Evan has so accurately said, "qualifying on a static range" just won't get it. Moreover, and this is critical, employing the defense of self-defense gets decided at hearing at which the prosecution will do their hardest to get the Judge to exclude the jury instruction as to "justification." He or she will AT THE LEAST lobby the Judge for involuntary manslaughter, more usually voluntary manslaughter (subjectively reasonable, but objectively unreasonable use of deadly force). And the foregoing applies to the USA. Good gosh only knows what standards apply in other countries (indeed, even in the USA, in some jurisdictions, you need to be prepared for a 1st degree murder charge). When this Fall my wife and I go to Paris and then drive about on day trips, I/we intend to "blend in" as much as possible, to avoid areas and times which invite potential nefarious scrutiny (), and, when it's all said and done, I fully intend to be the "weapon."

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I know whereof I speak, grasshoppers, with well over 1000 hours of training in the use of deadly force. I am licensed to carry in 36 states, and in 2 I don't even need a CCW, so, this is also not a post about not employing the means for effective self-defense. It is a post about recognizing that if you do use deadly force, and if you survive the first encounter, you still have, again, in the USA, the requirement to survive the second, judicial encounter. About 10% of those who have used fully justifiable deadly force are now serving substantial sentences because they were not prepared for the second encounter. Couple of useful websites are: www.massadayoobgroup.com, http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/ and http://www.strategosintl.com/ (full disclosure requires that I tell you that I am on the training/consulting staff of all three organizations; however, I donate both my time and my expenses, and receive no financial payment from them, although I am offered the opportunity to train with them without tuition cost to me).

I hope this is helpful, and I intend no disrespect to folks who have a different view.

tony



Apr 07, 2010 at 09:50 AM
forrest5000
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p.2 #18 · travel photography/self defense


saintroad wrote:
Ben, you don't need a baton to defend yourself.

Just don't be passive and look like an easy brainless tourist. Maintain situational awareness, make eye contact and make sure you know that any place in the world can be dangerous especially when you don't know the area. It isn't a matter of being afraid, or coming off aggressively, as it is simply always being prepared.
Be alert & have fun.

+1
I never have had problems in any of the strange and wonderful places I've been but then again I don't look like an "American" tourist. Sorry to offend all you people across the pond but this is often the major factor in getting hasselled.
the main thing to remember is to keep an eye out for trouble and make eye contact with anyone who is eying you up.
there is no need to be aggressive or carry a weapon but a 1 series canon to the side of the head will drop most people. Pointing it at people even if you don't take their photo often discourages them as well.
I was in Barcelona last month and spend three days shooting the barrio Gothic. My friend who has lived there all her life said "be careful of your gear there are pick pockets and muggers about...actually they are unlikely to bother you but you might spook other tourists!" she has a funny sense of humor and I didn't get hasselled, although I did get snowed on.
this might be why
http://www.pbase.com/forrest5000/image/123394144/original.jpg



Apr 07, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Sergio Mottola
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p.2 #19 · travel photography/self defense


you will get your ass whooped anywhere you go if you deserve an ass whooping. if not, why are you worried?


Apr 07, 2010 at 12:49 PM
liamh
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p.2 #20 · travel photography/self defense


Steady Hand wrote:
I think "tourist" incidents would be the key number to see.


This should help Steady:
http://www.comebackalive.com/site3.php?page_id=9

FWIW, to my knowledge, there were no American tourists killed by terrorist attacks in 2009. I can't say how many were mugged, choked on their burger or slipped on their hotel bath soap though!

I wish more Americans would travel. It's surprising how few US citizens I meets on the road. I know there are a lot of places to travel to within the US, but I do think many US citizens fear the outside world - which is a shame.






Apr 07, 2010 at 01:03 PM
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