Urban exploring can be a dangerous pastime. It’s not uncommon to run into homeless people, drug addicts, or squatters when exploring an abandoned building or place. But the risk is worth the reward for many urban explorers who get to see a different side of city life.
If you are new to urban exploration be sure to read up on the rules before you go out to explore.
Self defense tools may also provide an extra layer of protection when urbexing in an unfamiliar area. Listed below are five of our favorite self defense tools while urban exploring and why we like them.
Play it Safe
With the growing popularity of urbexing, you may likely encounter other explorers on your excursion. Sometimes you may also find a homeless person living in an abandoned building or just some kids hanging out. Most of these situations won’t cause any problems.
It’s a good idea when you go exploring to carry some granola bars or pieces of fruit to give out to the homeless. This usually lessens the tension and can often to the experience into a very memorable one. And if you do come across someone living in an abandoned building be kind and give them some space. This is there home and you were not invited.
But, you never know what kind of situation you may find yourself in. Sometimes gangs use abandoned buildings to meet or sell drugs. Other times the buildings may be home to squatters who wouldn’t think twice about holding up people for their backpacks.
Always trust your gut and always use common sense when exploring. If you see something that looks odd – leave.
We prefer to play it safe and bring along a small self-defense tool or two just in case. That being said, we do not recommend carrying a firearm while urban exploring. If you get caught while urban exploring you may get let off with a warning. But if you get caught exploring with a firearm, now that’s a different story.
Always check your local laws to make sure your self defense tools are acceptable. Some of these tools we’ve included below are not available in every U.S. state.
Sabre Red Compact Pepper Spray with Clip
Pepper spray is a safe, non-lethal self-defense tool to bring along during urban exploration. This Sabre Red compact pepper spray has a ten-foot or three-meter range and can be clipped onto your belt or backpack for convenience. It comes in a lightweight canister so it is easy to bring along while urbexing.
Pepper spray can help chase away drunks or a person that becomes violent during your exploration. It is commonly used to stun a person who is attacking because it won’t cause permanent harm. This particular spray also contains a UV colored marking making it easy for the police to find the attacker if need be. While pepper spray is effective on most people, some people are not affected by it. It can also take a while for pepper spray to kick.
Easy to operate
Make sure you are familiar with how to operate the spray. Each canister of pepper spray is a little different and it is a good idea to take your spray outside and try it out before you take it with you while exploring. It’s best to know how to operate the pepper spray before you find yourself in an emergency situation.
Never spray pepper spray upwind of the attacker and be careful when spraying in an enclosed area or you may end up getting the spray into your eyes as well.
The Sabre Red spray features a twist-lock to prevent accidents and also comes with free training materials. The packaging contains links to training videos so you can feel extra protected on your next exploration.
If you do get stopped by the police while urban exploring pepper spray is usually considered a self-defense tool and not a dangerous weapon. This can help keep your interaction with the police to a friendly one.
Professional Grade
The Sabre Red pepper spray is a professional grade maximum strength spray. This is the same type that is used by the police. It can dispense approximately thirty-five separate bursts of spray so you can use one can to protect your group of explorers from multiple incidents.
PowerTac M5 Tactical Flashlight
It’s a good idea to carry a flashlight with you when you are on an urban exploration. A flashlight will help you see in dirty windows or dark abandoned buildings that don’t have electricity.
It can also be a great self-defense tool. If you take a swing at someone with a heavy-duty flashlight it is sure to leave a mark.
Tactical Gear
The PowerTac M5 tactical flashlight is made from aluminum and has a brightness output of up to 1300 lumens. It’s perfect for outdoor activities like urbexing. The Power Tac M5 flashlight is compact and can be easily carried by hand and features a nonslip grip.
The flashlight comes with a USB magnetic charging cable and can be easily charged without removing the battery. Simply connect the USB magnetic cable to the charging port and the USB end to any USB power source. Always make sure your flashlights are fully charged before urban exploration.
Strobing Effect
The Power Tac M5 also features a high-visibility strobe effect that can disorient an attacker in a dark place. The strobing effect makes it difficult for the attacker to see and continue to move forward to you. While the attacker is disoriented you can flee to safety without having to use force. Or in a pinch, this flashlight can be used as a weapon to hit an attacker before you flee.
The Power Tac M5 tactical flashlight also comes with a lifetime replacement and maintenance warranty in case anything happens to it.
Don’t Use Your Cellphone as a Flashlight
Don’t make the mistake of using your cellphone’s flashlight as your primary source of light. Using your cellphone as a flight light significantly depletes battery life. You will need to save your cellphone’s battery in case of an emergency or if members of your group get lost or split up.
A Heavy Duty Stun Gun
A heavy-duty stun gun is one of the best self defense tools that can easily be purchased in most states. A few well-placed shots to soft spots on the body can stop someone dead in the tracks and the sound they make is scary enough to ward anyone off without having to use it.
A Powerful Punch with Self Defense Tools
The Vipertek VTS-989 is a heavy-duty stun gun that fits in the palm of your hand and delivers quite a punch. If you happen to bump into a person while exploring who is violent you will be glad you brought the Vipertek VTS along with you.
A bright electric current pulsates between the two prongs and creates an intimidating electrical sound that will make the assailant think twice about attacking you. If the sight and sound aren’t enough to stop the person a jolt from this heavy-duty taser will certainly stop the person.
Simply touch the prongs to the attacker to deliver a high voltage shock that will disorient the person and make their muscles go weak. This shock is much worse than being sprayed by pepper spray so be careful and do not hold the taser on the person for too long or you could seriously hurt them.
Easy to Charge
The Vipertek VTS stun gun has an internal rechargeable battery. Simply plug it into the wall to make sure it is fully charged before you go urban exploring. The non-slip grip and wrist loop also make it difficult for the attacker to grab the taser out of your hand.
CRKT Folding Pocket Knife
A good pocket knife comes in handy in many different situations while urbexing. You may even have one of these sitting around the house. If need be it can also be used as a self-defense tool while urban exploring as they do look very intimidating.
Pocket knives come in many different shapes and sizes. We like the CRKT M21-04G EDC Folding Pocket Knife not only for its name-brand durability but also for its practical design. It is a great everyday carry type of knife that features a 3.875” blade. The blade is made from a high carbon stainless steel and can take lots of use and abuse. If it ever goes dull the blade can easily be resharpened to a point.
Well Crafted Self Defense Tools
It also features a grippy handle and it feels comfortable to hold. The CRKT knife has an innovative and strong automated liner safety. The automated liner safety sets a pin between the locking liner and the frame of the knife. This pin acts as an additional layer of safety to prevent the knife from disengaging during use.
To close the knife, pull the red buttoned safety lever back, slide the locking liner over, and fold the blade into the closed position. This is one of the securest safety systems on modern-day pocket knives.
Easy to Carry
This pocket knife has a clip that can be clipped unobtrusively to the inside your pants pocket or onto a backpack or jacket. CRKT has a lifetime warranty on all of its pocket knives and they are made to last. If you are left-handed simply switch the clip to the opposite side to make it easier for a left-handed person to open the knife.
If you stumble across a person who becomes violent while you are exploring this knife is sure to do the trick to scare them off. Use this knife as a self-defense tool as a last resort because this blade can definitely do some damage.
A Self-Defense Keychain Tool
Having something to protect yourself in a dangerous situation is better than nothing. With a self-defense keychain tool, no one will know it is there until it needs to be used. Some keychain tools blend in with your keys while others stick out and come in a range of shapes and colors.
We chose this one because it is stealthy. It fits on your keychain and looks just like an ordinary key. It can be easily used when urban exploration and on the go. The keychain tool is always available at a moment’s notice to provide added protection.
Blend your self defense tools in with Your Keys
This CRKT self-defense key has a well-balanced ergonomic handle and a secure grip. It is lightweight and easy to use. The point of the key also doubles as a Philips head screwdriver. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
The self-defense tool empowers you to fight off an oncoming attack from a violent person you may encounter while urbexing. This is a safe, non-lethal and effective tool to ward off potential attackers. Use the self-defense key to punch, hook, stab, or slash the attackers.
Stay Safe While Exploring
It isn’t common to feel threatened or to be attacked while exploring abandoned urban areas. Most urban explorers enjoy the experience and have nothing to worry about.
However, if you live in an urban area that is more dangerous or prone to crime it may be a good idea to carry self defense tools for an added layer of protection. Definitely consider one of these tools especially if you bring along expensive photography equipment to document your findings.
People who are squatting or living in abandoned buildings are generally not dangerous but it could be an easy crime of opportunity if you stumble upon them unwittingly.
These five self defense tools were specially selected with the urban explorer in mind. All of these tools are practical, easy to carry and easy to use. If you enjoyed reading this article be sure to share it with your friends and check out our other articles on urban exploring. Stay safe and happy exploring with your new self defense tools!