Personal Safety
What do you bring with you to insure your safety while on a trail or at your destination?
I want to talk a little about personal protection, whether you are pro-gun or anti-gun you need to be able to protect yourself.
Self Protection Pepper Sprays
Pepper are one of the most common self defense products. It is lightweight, easy to carry, you don't need a special license and it is easy to use. Bear spray is great to keep with you as well, depending on where you are traveling bear spray can be used as protection from a person or a bear.
Electric Stun Gun
There are many different options of stun guns on the market, when choosing one be sure to select one that fits in the palm hand. Stun guns come in a variety of options, you can pick one that will look like a cell phone, flashlight or even one that looks like a lipstick case. A stun gun will give you peace of mind that you can immobilize your attacker and give you time to get help or run to a safe place.
Firearms
There are many options and opinions on this topic and I am not going to go into pros and cons or try to change your mind or beliefs on the subject. I will tell you that if you are considering carrying a firearm it is best to try before you buy. Most ranges will allow you to rent a gun to try it out and see how it fits and feels. Do not make a selection based on what your partner or friend carries, a 9mm may be fine for your friend but may be too hard for you to slide. You also want to select a model that is right for your use, in other words a .22 might not be a great option if you have an encounter with a wild animal or a wild person. I recommend attending a gun safety class, where you can often sample different models as well, talk about what your needs are and what your level of confidence is (if there is interest we can discuss creating an event).
Communication
You probably have a cell phone and you probably know that it does not always work on a trail or in the mountains. Consider carrying a walkie talkie (GMRS) radio or even a satellite phone. You want to be able to get some kind of communication out in the event you have a major incident.
This is just the tip of what can be a long list of personal safety items. What do you bring with you?
*information taken from beststungun.com & NRA The Best Gun for Camping, Backpacking and Hiking. I am in no way affiliated with either of these pages.
Thank you @T.J. Purdy You have an excellent arsenal of protection. I have a document about the different types of communication devices that I will be posting soon to help people understand each one. I love that you included that you are first aid trained. That is an invaluable skill, especially when out away from any hospital or where an ambulance can get to. Dogs are such a great safety item. If you are out and in trouble I can think of no better way to keep yourself calm than to pet an animal, it is proven that just petting an animal is therapy. Dogs have a great sense of direction too and could potentially go for help if needed. Thank you for sharing your list.