Self Defense tool for traveling to the Dominican Republic

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sean m

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Taking a trip to the Dominican Republic later in the year and looking for an implement to carry for personal protection. I've been thinking that a lanyard with an H&K sling clip would make a good choice for a low key (sorry for the pun). Can use it for the hotel and rental car keys and an improvised flail if needed.
Does anyone know what the local laws there are concerning self defense and the carrying of a knife. Was debating picking up a pocket knife there that I can leave behind when flying home.
 
If you got time to learn how to use it, you might check out Peter Brusso's predator (aka Defender 1) tool. Pretty sure no one at the airport or local police will know what the heck the thing is, so you probably good to carry it everywhere.


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If you got time to learn how to use it, you might check out Peter Brusso's predator (aka Defender 1) tool. Pretty sure no one at the airport or local police will know what the heck the thing is, so you probably good to carry it everywhere.
I'd never heard of that. Thanks for mentioning it! In case Sean wants to have a look, the website is here.
 
Stay to the tourist areas and you should be safe.

Unless you know how to use a flail with keys you're better off with things you already know how to use. Water bottle, cane/umbrella, dive knife (mask/fins/snorkel for cover), folding dive knife like a Spyderco Salt family.
 
Get a 1960s 35mm camera, put it in a stout case with a stout strap and attachment. And order a steak in the hotel first day. Eat a meal there when you leave the country and leave the steak knife under a napkin when you leave.
 
I like the brass body camera idea since you can couple it with a monopod to make what would serve as a mace. Problem is you'll want to get a feel for the balance and assume it will break the mount as soon as you hit something with it.
 
Get a 1960s 35mm camera, put it in a stout case with a stout strap and attachment. And order a steak in the hotel first day. Eat a meal there when you leave the country and leave the steak knife under a napkin when you leave.

I think that is a bad idea, and theft no matter how good your intentions are is never a good idea in my book, even if you intend to return it. Trip could be off to a bad start before you really get going as you get introduced to the local law enforcement system.


I like the brass body camera idea since you can couple it with a monopod to make what would serve as a mace. Problem is you'll want to get a feel for the balance and assume it will break the mount as soon as you hit something with it.

Another drawback to that is you make yourself a target of thieves who think you have something valuable in that photography gear, you may become a victim of a snatch and run type of robbery. In a case they can't tell if it is a POS junk camera or a new high dollar professional grade digital camera. They just see you want to protect it, so it must be worth something. Personally when I travel, I try not to have anything too cumbersome or attracts attention on my person.



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I like the brass body camera idea since you can couple it with a monopod to make what would serve as a mace. Problem is you'll want to get a feel for the balance and assume it will break the mount as soon as you hit something with it.
Make the first one count :) Then use the monopod - which you could have specially made for you or make it yourself (read: extra tough) as a stick.
 
I think I'd just carry a cane, or a walking staff. As one of our members here has pointed out, "Ain't no winner in a knife fight."
There's a lot of misunderstanding of what constitutes a "knife fight". Most people actually means Hollywood-style knife duels, which should be avoided at almost all costs. Using a knife defensively against a serious threat at close range can mean the difference between life and death, so I'd prefer to have a knife than a witty-sounding but false sound bite.
 
An easily accessible wad of cash.
I've been to the Dominican Republic and have had just such an adventure.
Our Guide was worthless, maybe even complicit.
Give 'em some green backs and they'll leave you alone.
If not, your in for a fight with bad looking dude with a really big machete.
If such is the case, effect a stout walking stick and take some Escrima lessons before you go.
 
A sock with a rock in it makes a hard hitter, teamed up with a squirt gun loaded with ammonia.
 
Belt with a heavy buckle can work too; just make sure your pants will stay up without it :p
 
I've always carried a cane and one of the Spyderco Salt knives when going to DR, Jamaica, etc. I'm relatively young and healthy looking and no one bats an eye at a cane. While at resorts it stays in the room, because the resorts are crawling with security, and when we leave to go see the sights I bring the cane.
 
Was in South America a couple months ago. They only thing I brought was a very heavy stainless steel ballpoint pen I kept in my front pocket. I felt woefully under-prepared but was willing to use it if needed. We had an incident in Quito with some "parking lot attendants" who had a nice scam going. Fortunately my Colombian friend was willing to pay the nominal fee to get us on our way before my big American mouth got us into hotter water. Bottom line is 1) I think it is worse to carry some self-defense implement that may land you in some S***hole jail cell out of country; 2) avoid areas and situations where you will find trouble; 3) be polite and keep your mouth shut.
 
Stop at a local store. Pick up a Phillips and flathead screwdriver and an adjustable wrench.

Tools are simply tools.
 
Some of the best advice has been to avoid stupid people and stupid places so stupid things don't happen, keep stupid stuff from coming out of your mouth, carry some throw down money, do not carry anything a tourist wouldn't be expected to carry that might get you tossed in jail, water bottle, dive/boating knife, cane/unbrella
 
Well was at the hardware store today and picked up a few things, a snap link, weld steel ring , and some paracord. Made myself a key thong for the trip. sorry for the bad cell phone picture. It's a foot in length and can be tucked into the waistline of my shorts. Should come in handy for keeping up with the rental keys.
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Aerosol can of anything, but hair spray, being mostly lacquer, works like Mace. So does deodorant.
The DR Internet sites are decidedly silent other than the same question on other forums. Nothing about non-firearm stuff at all. A lot about stuff being confiscated by DR customs types though. Even the DR Tourism Ministry says to not go out at night.
French Common Law there. Means you're guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Although their law says otherwise according to the Canadian government. Also says you can be held for 48 hours with no charges amongst other stuff.
 
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