How do you Protect Yourself when you're Scrapping?

I have always been into sports and believe in playing fair and a "level playing field". I have never had a problem of a physical kind with anybody while engaged with scrapping. I keep my eyes open, my ears alert and brain in full working mode at all times. I don't go into places that I don't belong. I stay out of dark corners and never do scrap gathering after sundown. I don't engage or converse with negative and aggressive individuals without overwhelming numbers and good cause on my side. I do live and work in the "big city", I have had my fair share of negative encounters. I handle myself well, don't play fair when others choose to be aggressive towards me and mine. I personally will try to "walk away" and play another day, if I can. If someone insist on going physical with me, they will find they made a bad choice. I will first introduce them to "Louis", we will play baseball and he will be OUT! A "Louisville Slugger" is my first line of defense, I do have a backup, but that would be unfair play or would it?

I have found that the best protection is to be fully aware of your surroundings and know when what you are after is not worth the risk. That said, I always have something heavy with me although I have never had to pick it up.