Always keep your back to your car at gas station, urges retired federal agent—his reason could save your life

Being safe and alert in public spaces can be crucial to avoiding any dangerous situations. However, certain hacks might help one ensure their safety better. Retired Secret Service agent Scott Bryson, who runs the "Beyond The Service" Podcast and goes by @scottbrysonbts on TikTok, shared a life-saving tip to avoid getting attacked at a gas station. Bryson considered the safety tip "simple but effective" and knew that it could help people save themselves from robberies or other attacks. The clip received over 1.2 million views on TikTok.

Bryson was at a gas station and pumping gas as he explained how people could stay safer at the place. He stood with his back pressed to the car. That stance would ensure that nobody would be able to attack him from behind. He would also need to watch out only for a 180-degree area for potential threats, instead of a 360-degree scan. Bryson also shared that a person might not have a weapon on them if an attacker comes close to them at a gas station. However, when someone is pumping gas, they would still have a pump at hand. The man pointed out that if one's "spidey senses" are going off because of a certain person, they might want to take the pump and spray the person with the gas.

"This bad boy right here can do the trick," Bryson said as he pointed the pump at the camera. "I am not suggesting that you should go around spraying people, but if a person comes up to you, that person would get some gas, I am just saying." It was suggested that one could spray the gas on a culprit's face and it would give them a chance to run away from the location before they could be harmed in any way. The caption read, "Do this the next time you pump gas." The video received more than 54,200 likes as people appreciated the safety tip. According to statistics released by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 13.8% of robberies in the country in 2022 took place at gas stations and convenience stores combined. However, the incidents decreased slightly to 10.5 percent (21,614 out of the total estimated robberies of 205,952) in the year 2024. 

@bethkennedy906 wrote, "Also, when you stop for gas, take your keys with you and lock your car doors so no one can get in from the other side and get in while you are pumping or get in and take your purse. Self-awareness is key." @thx1138990 commented, "I have done exactly that when two guys approached me at a gas station that was closed. But you can buy gas on Interstate 10 between Houston and New Orleans and he stayed well away from me. He was asking for money and he laughed." @hammertime842 expressed, "Thanks for sharing, brother. We definitely need to make sure that gets out there for everybody. The way things are today."

Another user remarked, "Gas stations have become a hub for crime in the cities. I get approached weekly in the hood. I lean against the car like he said, look them straight in the eye and say, 'Good day to you, but I’m not your guy' and every one of them does a 180 turn." @fedtoolman24 shared, "Federal officer and firearms instructor here, I appreciate your videos. I’m married and have three daughters; I teach them the same defensive tactics. I taught for 23 years and would always include a self-defense strategy when out in public." Bryson often shares safety tips through his page. In one video, he shared how people can ensure personal safety at all times by staying physically fit.

You can follow Scott Bryson (@scottbrysonbts) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.

More on Amplify

Former FBI agent reveals 3 simple safety tips parents should know if their kids are going to school

Woman asked for ‘survival tips’ and strangers understood the assignment — the responses are surreal