Self Protection

Oh, Mama, can this really be the end
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
--Stuck Inside of Mobile, Bob Dylan
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Self protection takes many different forms, be it condoms, body armor or any active measure we take to protect ourselves from any form of harm.

In my recent sojourn through some airports, I noticed the TSA and the airlines are protecting my bodily needs, but self protection requires a few steps beyond.

Some prudent measures prior to embarking on your flight could aid in your survival should disaster happen. We go through myriad showy check points, but no one tells passengers their responsibility in the process.

The best thing one can do is wear proper clothing and accouterments while aboard the aircraft. Not even the flight personnel abided by these commonsense rules.

The female flight attendants wore 2-3 inch heels and hose and synthetic uniforms. Synthtics may stay wrinkle-free, but they melt to the skin in the case of fire. Hollywood aside, running in heels is not safe.

Ranger's rules:

• Do not wear synthetic clothing. Wear cotton, silk or other natural fibers. You may look a bit rumpled, but you can be secure in the knowledge that your clothes won't melt.

• Wear leather shoes, preferably with ankle coverage and cotton or silk socks. This may be a hassle in our post-Reid world, but it is prudent.

• Wear long sleeves

• Carry a natural fiber jacket that can be wrapped around the head in the event of fire

• Wear a hat and glasses (metal frame and glass)

• Be aware of your surroundings and plan the route you would take if an emergency were to develop.

• In an emergency, forget about your bags and focus on saving lives

This was written while on the tarmac indefinitely delayed out of Detroit.

Now I'm worried.