Re: International self defense help while traveling
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jeez... UPS your favored defense tool to yourself at your hotel and then UPS it back before you leave.
Easy.
FYI the locals don't play where you're going. Think guns and machetes. </div></div>
Good luck getting any of that through customs.
There are a thousand improvised weapons, and it is always good to be prepared but nothing is a replacement for situational awareness.
If a situation does not feel right, it isn't, get the f out.
You can have a million little bits of advice, but none of it is going to stick. Try to be aware of your surroundings and the feel of the area, most crowded public place are relatively safe. Jamaica's tourist areas are going to be fine, just don't wander too far out of those areas. Also be very careful with getting intoxicated, it is too easy to get deep into a bad situation without noticing.
For a weapon, there are some good suggestions up, one of the easiest to acquire and replace is a simple piece of cloth like a bandana threaded through the hasp of a pad lock. The tails of a bandana sticking out of a pocket are not going to get a second glance, and if ever asked about it it is simple enough to grab one tail and it will come loose of the lock. If you get caught with a lock it is generally a non-issue.
