A gasoline station is analogous to a "watering hole" in the wild. Predicators hunt prey at the watering hole because it is where the prey must go for water (gasoline).
These creeps also work in pairs/groups. The first guy gets your attention and then others come up behind or beside you and you are now ambushed. Head on swivel will often be lost once you focus on someone. Be prepared to just run away fast, at a split second notice. Be decisive. It's better to be a little embarrassed than have a knife in your back.
I live outside Detroit. The gas station is the most common place where people get robed. Even where I live which Is a farming community, the gas station still has a lot of crime.
A friend in a certain major southeastern city beginning with A takes a pistol [open carry] with him when fueling his vehicle. He avoids the end pumps at the larger stations - that's where the bad guys look first. Great advice here. Thanks very much.
A couple things that could be included.. I really don't like my wife going to gas stations. Respecting the winter when it's dark 16 hours out of the day. My wife's vehicle has a range of 500+ miles on a fuel tank. I do my best to keep her vehicle fueled up so she never has to go to a gas station. It only takes just a few minutes to run fuel up your wife or girlfriends car, or take their car to run errands once or twice a week and keep it fueled up for her. Second I actually last year invested in a fuel storage tank and pump and I can have fuel delivered to my home now. If you are careful on when you buy you can even save money by getting 500 gallons say when fuel prices take a dip or before you know prices will surge. But then it's incredibly easy to keep your vehicles topped off and your lady never has to worry about stopping for fuel alone.
Get gas during the day. I would prefer to use cash for gas but usually the line moves slow due to lottery tickets. So I always pay by card. I don't let my car go under half a tank before I fill up
Gas station is the number 1 most dangerous place to go and run into criminals. The number 2 place is Walmart parking lot. Always have a plan and always be prepared.
Gas in morning around 7,8, or 9 when workers are getting their coffee and breakfast sandwhich. Only drive during the day. Camp out before dark. Always stay in contact with family and friends. Keep shopping to minimum for just what is needed.
As for physical security, I circle the station, note the cameras and climate. I try to use the same few stations locally and try to stop between 8am and noon. One of my stations is old fashioned and fill you vehicle for you. A safe alternative, since many locals hang out there. All my vehicles fuel up from the drivers side, So position myself between the drivers door and the fuel cap. Quicker path to the seat, plus I hold the nozzle in a reverse grip, so my back is against the vehicle. A good defensive move with the nozzle has already been discussed in the video. This is one of the few times I leave the door unlocked and key in the ignition. Next, I try to live by the 1/2 tank rule. A half a tank fills up quicker than 3/4 a tank. Less time at the station= less opportunity for stuff to go down. I always pay at the pump. No cash is flashed, I use a credit card, never a debit. I carry 2 wallets, the credit card in one, with a little cash and grocery discount cards, left side, and a smaller one with my ID, CHL, debit card and back up credit cards, right side. A perp would have already seen me put my wallet in my back left pocket. So reaching to my left shouldn't raise any concerns, if he gets the drop on me. I happen to carry concealed on my left too. I can reach my belt knife with either hand, since it's horizontally across the front. I look around for something that I can use as a less than lethal weapon. If I use my knife or gun, it can be tied up in court. If I use an item laying around the pump area, it's makes it difficult for the other side to say it was premeditated. Plus I have an idea of what the perp has access to. I never watch the pump display, always looking around. I always get the receipt. It's a quick alibi as to where I've was. Credit card also has a record.
Once upon a time.. for bout 8 bucks.. at a gas station you got a full tank, window washed, oil checked, tires checked.. all w a smile. What happened here?
Even up here in Canada a gas station is getting to be a dangerous place. We still have "pump before you pay" in some places but the usual suspects are making working on making that a thing of the past. I always have my head on a swivel, car locked, keys on pocket, EDC ready, etc. I learn so much from you guys. +1!
When I am pumping gas I check the piece where I insert my debit card to see if it may be messed with. I also keep my keys and debit card in my hand, my purse inside, so if anyone were to look like they may want to get into my car or grab my purse I can click the button to lock my doors. I fill my tank on the passenger side of my car so my purse is on this same side that I am. Things grab my attention easily, I can not concentrate on any one thing long enough, so I notice lots of things going on around me. Nowadays I pay closer attention to potential dangers that may arise. I did not know about the pumps on the ends being more prone to be tampered with. I always pumped from them for an easier escape if I needed to get out of there fast. Some cars are just parked too close to each other for my comfort. Thanks for the tips guys.
I had to pull my handgun years ago on a guy at the gas station. He approached me in such a manner that at 50 ft I knew he was up to no good. As he closed in to about 25 feet I told him to stop. He kept coming I pulled my pistol to a low ready. He made note and hauled ass. I think he may have been 10-73 due to the fact he was talking to himself and looked disheveled. Anyway. I was glad it ended the way it did. Great content.
Remember you've got a great weapon in your hand or very close at hand. No one wants to be hosed down with gasoline. HA! Just as I finished typing this, the guy said exactly the same thing.
A gasoline station is analogous to a "watering hole" in the wild. Predicators hunt prey at the watering hole because it is where the prey must go for water (gasoline).
These creeps also work in pairs/groups. The first guy gets your attention and then others come up behind or beside you and you are now ambushed. Head on swivel will often be lost once you focus on someone. Be prepared to just run away fast, at a split second notice. Be decisive. It's better to be a little embarrassed than have a knife in your back.
I escaped 4.. lot of luck. And wit.
I live outside Detroit. The gas station is the most common place where people get robed. Even where I live which Is a farming community, the gas station still has a lot of crime.
There you are Jason! It’s good seeing you on here more than once a week. Great info!
Went to Italy on my own last September I kept a alias wallet. Its a good thing to do.
Just curious, where is Alan Kay, Sootch, Bear Independent and Angry American? They were content providers when I subscribed a while ago?
A friend in a certain major southeastern city beginning with A takes a pistol [open carry] with him when fueling his vehicle. He avoids the end pumps at the larger stations - that's where the bad guys look first. Great advice here. Thanks very much.
A couple things that could be included.. I really don't like my wife going to gas stations. Respecting the winter when it's dark 16 hours out of the day. My wife's vehicle has a range of 500+ miles on a fuel tank. I do my best to keep her vehicle fueled up so she never has to go to a gas station. It only takes just a few minutes to run fuel up your wife or girlfriends car, or take their car to run errands once or twice a week and keep it fueled up for her.
Second I actually last year invested in a fuel storage tank and pump and I can have fuel delivered to my home now. If you are careful on when you buy you can even save money by getting 500 gallons say when fuel prices take a dip or before you know prices will surge. But then it's incredibly easy to keep your vehicles topped off and your lady never has to worry about stopping for fuel alone.
Keep your head on a swivel. And look for the video where the old timer sprayed ⛽ on would be robbers last year.
Get gas during the day. I would prefer to use cash for gas but usually the line moves slow due to lottery tickets. So I always pay by card. I don't let my car go under half a tank before I fill up
Gas station is the number 1 most dangerous place to go and run into criminals. The number 2 place is Walmart parking lot. Always have a plan and always be prepared.
Gas in morning around 7,8, or 9 when workers are getting their coffee and breakfast sandwhich. Only drive during the day. Camp out before dark. Always stay in contact with family and friends. Keep shopping to minimum for just what is needed.
As for physical security, I circle the station, note the cameras and climate. I try to use the same few stations locally and try to stop between 8am and noon. One of my stations is old fashioned and fill you vehicle for you. A safe alternative, since many locals hang out there.
All my vehicles fuel up from the drivers side, So position myself between the drivers door and the fuel cap. Quicker path to the seat, plus I hold the nozzle in a reverse grip, so my back is against the vehicle. A good defensive move with the nozzle has already been discussed in the video. This is one of the few times I leave the door unlocked and key in the ignition.
Next, I try to live by the 1/2 tank rule. A half a tank fills up quicker than 3/4 a tank. Less time at the station= less opportunity for stuff to go down. I always pay at the pump. No cash is flashed, I use a credit card, never a debit. I carry 2 wallets, the credit card in one, with a little cash and grocery discount cards, left side, and a smaller one with my ID, CHL, debit card and back up credit cards, right side. A perp would have already seen me put my wallet in my back left pocket. So reaching to my left shouldn't raise any concerns, if he gets the drop on me. I happen to carry concealed on my left too. I can reach my belt knife with either hand, since it's horizontally across the front.
I look around for something that I can use as a less than lethal weapon. If I use my knife or gun, it can be tied up in court. If I use an item laying around the pump area, it's makes it difficult for the other side to say it was premeditated. Plus I have an idea of what the perp has access to. I never watch the pump display, always looking around. I always get the receipt. It's a quick alibi as to where I've was. Credit card also has a record.
Once upon a time.. for bout 8 bucks.. at a gas station you got a full tank, window washed, oil checked, tires checked.. all w a smile. What happened here?
I usually fuel up on base, safer!
Even up here in Canada a gas station is getting to be a dangerous place. We still have "pump before you pay" in some places but the usual suspects are making working on making that a thing of the past.
I always have my head on a swivel, car locked, keys on pocket, EDC ready, etc. I learn so much from you guys. +1!
When I am pumping gas I check the piece where I insert my debit card to see if it may be messed with. I also keep my keys and debit card in my hand, my purse inside, so if anyone were to look like they may want to get into my car or grab my purse I can click the button to lock my doors. I fill my tank on the passenger side of my car so my purse is on this same side that I am. Things grab my attention easily, I can not concentrate on any one thing long enough, so I notice lots of things going on around me. Nowadays I pay closer attention to potential dangers that may arise. I did not know about the pumps on the ends being more prone to be tampered with. I always pumped from them for an easier escape if I needed to get out of there fast. Some cars are just parked too close to each other for my comfort. Thanks for the tips guys.
Travelling, stopped for gas late night, 2 bro's left the sto' & saw me. They stopped & discussed. The gas handle 'cliked' like a slide. They left.
Thank you. Good information. I am going to implement these guidelines : )
Excellent topic and great content. Plain and simple situational awareness. Think about it. Stay vigilant!
NOTE! Open carry in South Carolina only applies to those with a Concealed Carry Permit. If you have the permit you can open carry.
SECOND WALLET IS AN AWESOME IDEA 😅
Awesome information. Thanks gentlemen.
GOOD POINT ON THE SLIMMER NOTE.
I had to pull my handgun years ago on a guy at the gas station. He approached me in such a manner that at 50 ft I knew he was up to no good. As he closed in to about 25 feet I told him to stop. He kept coming I pulled my pistol to a low ready. He made note and hauled ass. I think he may have been 10-73 due to the fact he was talking to himself and looked disheveled. Anyway. I was glad it ended the way it did. Great content.
11:36 wait, why no auto fueling? i skipped ahead and probably missed why
Remember you've got a great weapon in your hand or very close at hand. No one wants to be hosed down with gasoline. HA! Just as I finished typing this, the guy said exactly the same thing.
15:40 lol