I'm not addressing safety in terms of structural etc but in terms of other people. Today while exploring parts of my city I found 1 building which looks like it might have been used by some gang then another building which had been inhabited by the homeless. If you are carrying around a camera in a building there is a chance you could be attacked and robbed. In your experience is this common/what are the suggested guidelines for this happening?
Just do not go into this building :wink:
Urbex is hobbie with big risk, like cops, like rob, like a fight with homeless people and inadequate people etc.. you must know this and take this, before urbexing
You have to be really careful. If there is a LOT of graffiti (meaning nearly every wall in the place is covered) steer clear. It's not worth the risk. With loads of graffiti comes gang activity, meaning drugs, weapons, etc.
I always have a folding knife with me (my Smith & Wesson CK5TBS, a great knife for only being like $13). Here's the thing though, never walk around with the knife out. Have it tucked into your pocket or on your belt, somewhere where you can quickly reach it. It just looks really bad when you've got a knife drawn walking around.
collapsible batons are incredibly useful if you know how to use them.
lets just say for instance some hobo tries to rob you. in the process slip your baton out, hell, keep it up your sleeve. don't extend it though, then go for a nice swing while holding down the extension release.
hobo won't know fuck from shit. the baton only becomes a weapon with range before he even knows what's going on.
hitting in places like the knee or upper calf are best.
thing is you kinda need to train to use these things, you have to be a bit precise because the part of the baton that does the damage is the weighted tip at the end. that tip is the part that needs to collide with the target.
otherwise if you get caught with it, if any charges are pressed concerning the weapon you'll probably have better chances than with a knife (i knew some urbexers who brought a rusty old machete along with them...).
i'd say go with some mace and a collapsible baton or a knife.
mace is also hard to handle because if your attacker gets ahold of it you're fucked. again it's all about the element of surprise. you really can't let anyone know you have mace or a baton until you use it, so you can use it when you feel the need to.
really it's all about gauging the situation and determining what to do and when to do it. what your attacker may be armed with (even if you can't see it), if you attacker is high or strung out and out of drugs, it's kinda like all up to your ability in judging character. it's stuff like that when you can intimidate people instead of using force, see how meek/unpredictable they are because you'd probably just wanna brandish mace and get the fuck out of there instead of causing someone terrible pain.
shit's almost like a really good videogame...
they should make one
In my limited experience, a good Maglite can (literally) be a lifesaver. Along with being an awesome flashlight, getting smashed by one will certainly ruin your day.
But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. When urbexing in a place you suspect has 'shady' activity, stealth truly is your best friend. Any gang members hanging out in the building will certainly try to rob you, so avoid them at all costs. Homeless are generally less of a problem, but no less serious. Most are merely down-on-their-luck folks, but the old adage holds true: 'hope for the best, plan for the worst'.
Clothing-wise, a good pair of jeans and a hoodie/jacket are all you really need. Try to keep the colors dull to avoid attention. Gloves are also a good idea, along with knee and/or elbow pads, if you wish.
For a new urb-exer, caution should be your best friend. Don't go anywhere you have a bad feeling about, and don't take unnecessary risks.
In short, stay safe, stay alive.
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