You might think this is crazy but when I first started exploring storm drains I used to bring a baseball bat into the drains but only when I went into the outfalls because it made me feel safe (especially when I was alone and even when I was with a friend). Luckily I've never had to use it on anyone or anything but it can also be used as a tool to help you get past prickly plants/sharp branches and checking the water depth to see how deep it is but in other words I've used long broom sticks to do that when the baseball bat didn't reach the bottom and long tree branches too. However I don't carry the baseball bat into the drains as much now but occasionally I do depending on the situation. I've always used the baseball bat or stick as a tool and not a weapon. When I go on my long dumpster walks I still carry a baseball bat but I only use it for digging in the dumpsters and opening the dumpster lids that are taller than me. I will say that if I carry the baseball bat wrong it can alert the police to stop me but I've never had any problems with the police when it involved me exploring drains but they used to stop me in my neighborhood for carrying the baseball bat over my shoulder when I thought it looked like I was playing baseball (LOL), in fact someone called the police on me for walking around with a baseball bat over my shoulder but luckily I didn't get into any trouble for doing that, in fact the lady officer was very nice about it. In my personal opinion you should bring some sort of weapon with you if you don't feel safe because you never know when you are out exploring stuff in a dangerous area what's going to happen but it doesn't have to be a gun, knife, baseball bat or anything that looks like a weapon. Some good items you could use are keychain of keys, mace, flashlight etc. That way if you have to defend yourself you might not get into any serious trouble because you used a "WEAPON" to hurt someone. It will also look like self defense. That's just my thinking anyway. Be careful on what you carry with you in case you get stopped by the police, security etc.