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RLSH Quick Start Guide

  • 7 hours ago
  • 5 min read

This is a quick start guide for those who want to take the plunge into the RLSH life.  This is a once a week plan with a low-impact start.


What You Will Need:

  • Name

  • Color Scheme

  • Activewear

  • Pocket System

  • Optional Extras


Name

You’ll want to have a name that you sync with.  Superhero names often utilize: color, animals, insects, nature (plants, weather, etc), power-emphasis/specialty-emphasis, concepts (like Dusk, Dawn, Cloak, Dagger, etc), and other (things not listed).  You can try some name generators for inspiration.



Color Scheme

A color scheme will need to reflect you and your superhero name.  When you hear “Queen Bee”, you think of yellow and black or gold and black; so, don’t appear in red, white, and blue.  Get it?  When you figure out your colors, which will probably be 2-3, you can start the next step.



Activewear

This is a quick start guide and the quick way to start is to find activewear in your color scheme.  You may want a specific uniform design, but that can come a little later.  If your colors are varying blues because you have a water-themed name, then find some workout clothes and appropriate outerwear (for your area and season) that will work for the time being.  You can move in these clothes.  You can use them in the future.  They will work until you finish your preferred RLSH uniform.


Pocket System

You’ll need something to hold stuff.  This may be a utility vest, a fanny pack, a drop-leg bag, hip bag belt, utility belt, or something like that.  I would advise not to use a backpack since they’re cumbersome.  For a quick start, you just want something that will hold: your keys, a wallet or a minimal card holder (ID, credit card, maybe $20), phone, and whatever else you’re bringing with you.  It's always good to have a few dollars on you in case you need a cup of coffee or a bottle of water.  Whatever type of pocket system you decide on, be sure that it is secure and doesn’t move around if you run, jump, or move around.


Left to Right: Fanny pack, drop leg bag, minimal card holder


Optional Extras

  • Mask or Sunglasses.  You may not be at the mask level yet, but you can get a pair of sunglasses with mirror lenses or colored lenses that match your color scheme.  You’ll feel a little incognito.  If you need a mask, start with a basic leather mask (see Resources tab for options).

  • Gloves.  This may seem like an odd thing to list, but sometimes wearing a pair of gloves gives us a sense of being able to do more with our hands.  We get better grip, hand protection, and weather protection.  Do not go with slippery costume gloves.  Look for a pair of leather gloves, workout gloves, SAP gloves, or something else like that.

  • Sneakers or Boots.  You’ll have to decide what you venture out wearing.  Sneakers are going to be more comfortable and lightweight, but lack that superhero flair.  Boots will have to work for your area.  Doc Marten boots do not fare well on snow and ice, but they do well in rain and sun.  It’s just something about the material of the soles, not the quality of boots.

  • Bodycam.  It’s a good idea to wear a bodycam.  If something happens and you witness it, you’ll have it recorded.  With law enforcement and in court, video footage is key.  You can find some inexpensive bodycams on Amazon.


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Now that you’re dressed and ready to go, you need a plan.


Plan of Action

Use your favorite mapping program (Google Maps, Strava, Map My Run, etc) and figure out the route you want to take.  It will probably be 2-3 miles in total.  You may even plan to stop at a local restaurant or cafe or pub for an after-patrol bite or beer.  When you consider your route, make sure there are some places open when you are out on patrol.  If you ever get into a situation, you can duck into that open business.  When patrolling in neighborhoods, always be friendly.  Be ready to offer help, but don’t be overly helpful - which can make people uneasy with you.


Pick A Day & Time

Pick day and time that you have available for once a week patrol.  If you always go out on Friday night with your friends, choose a different night.  Maybe Thursday or Wednesday or Saturday.  OR, maybe Friday evenings totally work for you.  Figure it out and go on your patrol route.


The First Few Patrols

The first few patrols are going to be you traveling on your route ONLY observing, unless you see something going down and must step in.  This gets you going out at a regular time on a regular route looking for what is normal for the area you are patrolling.  You can change up your route later.  When you are getting started, managing that once a week patrol can be difficult, not the actual traveling of the route, but mentally and emotionally.


Mental and emotional barriers are typically the culprits that stop people from taking that leap into the RLSH gig.  If it helps, you can make it appear as if you are on an evening run/walk, which is more socially acceptable.  You may feel a little anxiety or fear of the unknown or concern about societal norms.  It’s perfectly normal.  Feel free to mention it over on the Herocore forum and in patrol logs.  If you are worried about the weather, you can still patrol with the proper outerwear, but definitely have weather-limits.


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DO NOTs

Things you should absolutely NOT do when out on patrol:

  • Wear headphones.  Don’t distract yourself with music, podcasts, etc.  You’re on patrol and you need to listen to your surroundings.

  • Look like a bad guy.  If you appear like a bad guy, that is how people will treat you.  Avoid all black, ski masks, and looking like some sort of hoodlum.

  • Act impulsively.  Always consider your actions before doing anything, especially during your first month of patrolling.  The only expectation to this would be if you are personally threatened, if someone is in need of defending, or if someone requires first aid.

  • Treat the police like scum.  Always be considerate and follow their directions, if approached by the police.  If they pull you aside and question you, for no real reason, then assess what they’re asking you.  You can ask for clarification.  If you are not under arrest, then you are free to leave.  They may be looking for someone who was causing an issue and you just happened to get caught in the search.  Being too defensive or hostile is going to make you look suspicious and put you in a negative light.

  • Wear a comic book character costume. This is highly frowned upon by the RLSH community.


Let me know if you think I missed something or if you have questions.

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