Elevator or Stairs?
- Thread starter CWL
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KimKommando
Member
The stairs are dangerous, the elevator is your best bet. If you are that concerned, get someone to escort you, even if it is just a co-worker, remember, two is a harder target than one.
Jiggle
Member
I agree with the above. Too many times I have been walking the stairs in a parking garage only to have to step around - or even over - shady looking characters who feel the staircase belongs to them. Elevator for me.
Elevators are usually safer because there will be witnesses. I notice that the women in San Francisco frequently take out their cell phones and pre dial or get set on the speed dial button before getting on the elevators. Phones are ready, open and in the hand at all times. I don't even know if the cell phones work in the deep undeground parking garages in SF.
guntotinguy
Member
Elevators are better than stairwells,you have more of a 'control' and objective sighting' with the doorway,with limited distance.Stairwells on the otherhand...not so good,your awareness has to 'scan' a (usually)360 degree constant.
Lupinus
Member
stairwells are bad news for a few reasons.
One, you there are plenty of ways and places someone can catch up with you, ambush you, etc. You have to be much more vigilant and theres only so much you can do. And two working as a team, one moving up and come coming down, and you are surrounded with no escape plan. Also how many people use the stairs? If injured (even just a slip and fall) you could be there for hours before someone else decides to use the stairs.
Elevators are much safer. One way in, one way out and not much way to sneak up on someone. And should something happen, the higher traffic means you are found sooner.
One, you there are plenty of ways and places someone can catch up with you, ambush you, etc. You have to be much more vigilant and theres only so much you can do. And two working as a team, one moving up and come coming down, and you are surrounded with no escape plan. Also how many people use the stairs? If injured (even just a slip and fall) you could be there for hours before someone else decides to use the stairs.
Elevators are much safer. One way in, one way out and not much way to sneak up on someone. And should something happen, the higher traffic means you are found sooner.
Jerry Morris
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And if you are already in the elevator and several shady types get in? What then. Face it, the elevator is a box. Both the stairs and the elevator are not good places to be. If you have to use them, you have to use them.
This is where tactics come it.
Jerry
Fly320s
Member
Stairs for exercise, elevator for convenience.
sacp81170a
Member
Both are chokepoints. You have to evaluate the circumstances on a case by case basis and use whichever seems best at the time. Elevators are mandated to have an emergency phone in my state (and I assume most others), but that doesn't mean it will be working. As one poster said, using the ramp may be your best option. If you're going to be parking in a garage in an area of town that may become more dangerous after dark, plan ahead and equip yourself accordingly, even if you can't carry a firearm due to policies and/or laws.
Here's a thought:
http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html
I don't think anyone would question you having an umbrella in any office building.
Here's a thought:
http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html
I don't think anyone would question you having an umbrella in any office building.
WayneConrad
Member
Stairs. Stay in shape so you will be fitter than the fatbody that wants to do you harm. 
Who has to step around anyone? If you don't look the likes of someone, turn around and take the elevator.
Who has to step around anyone? If you don't look the likes of someone, turn around and take the elevator.
I'm feeling stairs myself because you can see the threat coming. If you get backed into a corner, you still can fight your way out and run in at least 2 directions.
With an elevator, you don't have an easy exit nor can you choose who gets in or out. Once a fight starts, no areas of retreat.
With an elevator, you don't have an easy exit nor can you choose who gets in or out. Once a fight starts, no areas of retreat.
For me, this depends on whether the stairs are out in the open or enclosed, where the elevators are in relation to other people and my car, and what level I'm on. Second level, stairs. Fourth or fifth, at night, probably elevator. If in an area where homeless folks are common, I'll probably avoid the stairs.
My logic is that under 3 stories, I can probably quickly make it to a place where I can jump, if absolutely necessary. I'm not overly fond of elevators - they're boxes, after all - but sometimes they're safer than they look.
My logic is that under 3 stories, I can probably quickly make it to a place where I can jump, if absolutely necessary. I'm not overly fond of elevators - they're boxes, after all - but sometimes they're safer than they look.
Pat Cannon
Member
I always park on the roof and rappel down the outside wall.
another okie
Member
It is worthwhile to look carefully into the elevator before entering, and to look in both directions before exiting, and to stand back and to the side if you are waiting for an elevator.
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I remember when muggers got onto the roof of the elevator through the access hatch and came down to rob their preys. The trouble with elevators is that you're trapped. Ditto for stairs, but for stairs it'll take more assailants to trap you (unless you have mobility problems).
RobTzu
Member
I only goto gun free parking garages so I do not have to worry about crime.
What Jerry Morris said.
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IllHunter
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The smell is the deciding factor,
garage stair hall also double as urinals in the downtown areas, as both are choke points, the elevator ahveing no alternate exit, I use the ramps, more traffic, less constriction.
garage stair hall also double as urinals in the downtown areas, as both are choke points, the elevator ahveing no alternate exit, I use the ramps, more traffic, less constriction.
charliehustle10
Member
Elevators.
Including all the aforementioned hazards, Stairs can often lead to locked doors, which could really be quite a problem in the wrong situation.
Alarms on elevators could be useful, but doubt you could use the emergency phone if being physically attacked. But video cameras are often in elevators which is always a plus.
Including all the aforementioned hazards, Stairs can often lead to locked doors, which could really be quite a problem in the wrong situation.
Alarms on elevators could be useful, but doubt you could use the emergency phone if being physically attacked. But video cameras are often in elevators which is always a plus.
A few weeks ago I parked in a multi storey car park and walked to the lifts. There was a lone female just in front of me who clearly was going to use the lift until she realised I had the same idea. She then took off and used the stairs.
If I had been up to no good, I would not have been able to follow her onto the stairs without tipping her off so to speak. So sometimes the stairs are an alternative.
As an exercise it would have been interesting if I had then of followed her, but I am not in the habit of alarming strangers without good reason so I stayed put.
If I had been up to no good, I would not have been able to follow her onto the stairs without tipping her off so to speak. So sometimes the stairs are an alternative.
As an exercise it would have been interesting if I had then of followed her, but I am not in the habit of alarming strangers without good reason so I stayed put.
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