A Vulnerable Time

A public restroom is one of the strangest places in which to stay aware. While I can’t discuss how it is with ladies, in a men’s restroom, we are practically programmed to mind our own business and keep our eyes straight forward at all times. Unfortunately, this means we’re not paying very much attention to our surroundings.

Because of this, we are leaving ourselves open to attack during one of our most vulnerable times. When standing at the urinal, you are facing a wall, and unable to see what is happening behind you. Bathrooms are also one of the few places where it is completely illegal to have any type of monitoring devices—this is a good thing considering the activities. All this combines into an almost perfect situation for an attack.

While it is nearly impossible to avoid public restrooms completely, there are a few ways to reduce the risk, without being too over the top. First, be aware of where the mirrors are located, and, if possible, use them to observe others walking in and access their danger levels. Also, many restrooms have mirrored tile, allowing you to watch a reflection of what is happening behind you and view potentially aggressive actions.

If neither is available, you can always head to a stall, where you can face the door, and have easy access to your defensive handgun. Of course, this also means that you won’t be able to move very quickly, but you also can’t be attacked from behind.