Use Your Environment to Protect Yourself: Here is what I did.

Know how to protect yourself!

I almost didn't make it home, from night swimming in my pool, due to some creep lingering outside the pool half naked.


He walked around the gate a few times staring, looking in people's window, picking things up by people's doors then looking at me for long periods of time again. I am accustom to people ogling me but it was obvious there was something different about this guy. After he walked away from the pool gate, I was pretty shook up from the looks and from being at my pool all alone without my phone.

 Top is the type I picked up but either of these kind/shapes will help.

So I picked up a nice sized holdable rock held it in my left hand and put my keys between my fingers in my right hand just knowing he was around the corner.

Top is the wrong way to hold them because they slip to the sides when pressure is placed on them. Either of the two bottom photos are the correct way.

Women's intuition and years of self defense (Karate) classes kept me safe as I walked down the narrow hallway stoping before the end and peeking out to see where he was. Sure enough he was crouched down on the left and began to move up when he saw the rock and keys as I made a defensive stance.

Many people get this one wrong so I figured I would post a photo of the correct stance. 

He squatted back down acting like he did not notice me and lit a cigarette as if to say, "Hey I am just squatting around the corner, under these stairs, in the dark to have a smoke, even though there are benches and a table right over there to sit and smoke at.

This is a mirror reflection but the same concept applies: If you see someone behind you RUN!!!

I keep an eye on the reflection in the windows, as well as, continued turns to make sure he was not following me, as I made my way home. Once I was home I about shit bricks as my adrenaline finally returned to normal.

It is fine to do things alone, just as long as you remain aware of all your surroundings, know how to find weapons from any item around you, and know how to fight if need be. I did not need to fight because the guy backed down. He was looking for easy prey, not someone who was ready willing and able to fight back.

Follow these tips, research other options, doing so helps your brain recall what to do while your adrenaline is running on over drive. No matter what, have fun while staying safe. :)