You must be an expert on wilderness survival.
If you lack the required skills for survival in an urban setting, that is unfortunate.
The reality is that catastrophe can happen at any place and any time. To ensure your survival, you must prepare for the worst possible outcome of a well-ordered cityscape transforming into a horrifying ordeal.
It’s likely that you have to travel to cities for work, even if you reside outside of them. Given that 55.7% of the global population resides in urban areas, this is where the fight for survival will reach its pinnacle.
The reality is that not all individuals are privileged enough to go on a remote excursion to endure a crisis. Consequently, we must remain in the metropolitan environment and confront the situation.
Regrettably, a small number of people possess the proper knowledge and abilities to enhance their likelihood of survival in any situation. It is crucial, therefore, that survivalists equip themselves with the necessary urban survival expertise and equipment to overcome the odds. With this SHTF urban survival guide, you will receive all the important advice and techniques to aid your survival.
Now, let us focus on the task at hand.
What is Urban Survival?
Imagine this…
The electricity has been shut down, the faucet is no longer producing water, stores and supermarkets have been looted by a crowd, and the noise of disorder and confusion is audible from afar.
Enter the realm of surviving in a metropolitan setting.
In essence, the concept of urban survivalism entails enduring a catastrophe that could extend for several weeks, months, or even more.
Let me share a fact with you.
On average, there are 27,012 individuals residing in every square mile in New York City.
The densely populated urban environment of urban survival can be terrifying due to the potential for quickly running out of resources, posing a significant challenge for resource acquisition.
Additionally, it is not reasonable to anticipate the proper functioning of crucial technological systems in the event of a natural disaster or an EMP attack.
In an urban environment, interacting and effectively managing people cannot be avoided, yet it is necessary to know when to avoid them.
Remember that everyone is struggling to survive and law enforcement may not be dependable. You may encounter individuals who are lacking their own resources.
The reality is that disasters can reveal the kindness in the majority of individuals, yet there will be a minority who will resort to drastic measures to stay alive in a situation where society has collapsed. As a result, you may encounter violence while trying to survive in an urban environment.
Another significant challenge is adjusting to different social settings and altered relationships between individuals.
If you find yourself in a situation that involves navigating through urban settings filled with bridges, streets, cars, and metal structures, traditional survival techniques such as hunting, building fires, and constructing shelters will not be effective. Additionally, bushcraft skills will not be applicable.
Overall, the guide to surviving in this city is crucial due to the high level of complexity found in urban areas.
Important Urban Survival Techniques
The complex nature of surviving in urban areas requires attention to several factors. The initial measure for any prepper entails establishing clear goals and devising a solid strategy. Equally important is the effort to educate all members of your family on essential urban survival skills and implementing appropriate measures for their safety.
An in-depth examination of key elements of surviving in an urban setting.
Proper Preparation
Having the appropriate level of preparedness is crucial when confronting an urban apocalypse. In situations where essential resources such as food, water, electricity, and security are unavailable, it is imperative to possess the appropriate urban survival techniques and equipment to overcome the circumstances.
Emergency preparedness plays a vital role in ensuring survival since it’s difficult to envision a situation where you won’t have access to essential items.
It is crucial to remember that in the context of survival, there is no room for preparing at the last minute. Therefore, it is essential to have an adequate supply of necessary items such as food, fuel, water, and critical medications. Additionally, having a backup power source such as a generator can be beneficial. Furthermore, it is necessary to possess the proper security equipment to keep your loved ones safe.
Training
Training is essential for acquiring specific skills necessary for urban survival. However, one must consistently practice these skills to become proficient in them.
These are some crucial ones.
- Firearms Training
- Situational awareness
- Personal Protection techniques like martial arts
- First aid training
Moreover, it is necessary to acquire a license for firearm possession. Another crucial aspect is to maintain and improve your physical fitness. By being in good shape and healthy, you will be better equipped to face any obstacles that come your way.
Acquiring each of these skills is crucial and can improve your chances of survival. It’s essential to regularly practice new skills to enhance your proficiency level. Additionally, conducting drills will ensure that everyone in the family is knowledgeable about the fundamentals.
Basic first aid training should be available to everyone. It is likely that hospitals will be overwhelmed in the event of a disaster, therefore it is your responsibility to use a first aid kit to your best ability to save the lives of your loved ones.
The Right Protection
The occurrence of any calamitous incident has the potential to cause disorder, sociopolitical turmoil, and a total disintegration of the societal framework. To be honest, the prospect of surviving in urban areas can go sour anytime due to widespread plundering, uproar, and brutality. Tasks such as thefts, intrusion of homes or theft of vehicles are among routine hazards you may face.
It is essential to prepare adequate protective equipment to safeguard your family and home, which should be with you every day. While we do not intend to discriminate, women face unique challenges and are often targeted, therefore, self-defense weapons are crucial for their safety.
Do not underestimate the fact that if you are not alert and ill-prepared for your surroundings, you will be vulnerable to the threats posed by malicious individuals.
Initially, it’s necessary that you utilize your capabilities to comprehend your surroundings. Following that, you must proficiently handle the equipment and weaponry for personal defense in your evacuation kit when the time arises. A transition to a different place may arise unexpectedly; thus, you must be able to safeguard yourself in unfamiliar surroundings.
What Makes Urban Prepping Harder?
Survival preparations are easier in rural settings, where one can utilize a spacious backyard for gardening and ample storage facilities. Additionally, there might be plenty of nearby forests to retreat to. However, urban dwellers face a contrasting situation dealing with concrete pavements, minimal access to natural surroundings, and cramped living spaces.
There are several contrasting factors between prepping in urban and rural areas.
- Less space for storage. It may be harder to store the items you need to survive.
- Fewer resources: Water, food, and survival gear can run out faster in urban communities.
- Less wildlife and water sources: It’s harder to hunt and live off the land.
- Less safety and security: With more people around, it’s harder to avoid things like home invasions, looting, and carjackings.
- Greater population density. More people equals more competition. Getting the things you need to survive is harder, leading to conflicts and more safety threats.
Although hunting and shelter building skills are valuable in wilderness survival, they may not be as practical in a city survival scenario. To enhance your urban survival abilities, here are some helpful hints.
Urban Prepping Techniques
1. Explore Your City
Knowing the intricacies of your locality is imperative for survival, especially in urban areas. Familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of your surroundings, including intersections and side streets, and master alternative routes that bypass main roads.
Your cell phone may not be reliable during certain disasters. It is not advisable to solely depend on apps and devices for guidance. Instead, acquire knowledge and pinpoint essential locations on a map.
2. Household Training
Since you are familiar with the location, it is essential to guarantee that you and your loved ones are equipped for any circumstances. Acquire the necessary abilities to endure in a city setting.
- First-Aid training
- Personal protection (i.e., martial arts, firearm training, self-defense)
- Physical fitness
- Situational awareness training
3. Create a “Get Out of Dodge” Plan
In times of emergency, it may not be feasible to vacate a metropolitan zone. However, it remains crucial to identify a bug-out site outside the city in the event of a possible departure. Strategize your paths, devise backup courses, and be ready to safeguard yourself during relocation in case of any potential danger.
4. Make a Stay-in-Place Plan
If circumstances demand, staying at home may become the only option, and in such cases, certain city comforts may become unavailable.
In the event of utility system failure and potential shortages of essential items at grocery stores, it is advisable to prepare for the situation ahead of time. Consider the following suggestions to help you weather the situation.
5. Create a Communication Plan
Inability to anticipate a crisis can occur. Therefore, make certain that your family has a communication strategy for circumstances where you become divided during a catastrophe. If establishing contact proves impossible, it may be necessary to choose a rendezvous point.
6. Find Space in Your Home for Survival Items
In urban areas, there is often limited extra space; therefore, utilizing every available inch is essential. To begin, consider these tips.
- Opt for multipurpose tools. Avoid buying many items when you could get one that does more jobs (i.e., 4-in-1 radios and bleach).
- Buy furniture with extra storage. Buy furniture that can also hold survival items. Think beds or tables with built-in storage.
- Make good use of storage spaces. Use every bit of your closets, containers, and more. Add shelving where needed.
There are certain items that may be useful for survival that you should make sure to have easily accessible.
- Solar cooker
- Heating sources that don’t make noise or bright light
- Generator
7. Build Your Food Supply
Build a food supply kit to ensure maximum preparedness, but if you reside in an urban area, you may have limited space to store large quantities. However, it is feasible to achieve more with fewer resources.
Selecting emergency food with wisdom can be done in the following manner.
- Find food that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. You still need space for daily life.
- Prioritize high-calorie options like dried meat and peanut butter.
- Opt for dry food that takes up less space and lasts a long time instead of bulky canned food.
8. Build Your Water Supply
It’s important to prepare for a potential loss of utilities, such as water, during a crisis. Water is necessary for multiple uses, including hygiene, flushing toilets, and drinking. To conserve space, consider keeping bottled water in a closet or pantry. If storage space is limited, opt for purifying water filters and water storage containers.
It’s a good idea to fill up bathtubs, sinks, and any other receptacles with water beforehand if you can in case of an emergency. This will allow you to quickly accumulate more water.
9. Pack Urban Clothing
During an urban survival scenario, it’s important to maintain a low profile and avoid attracting unwanted attention. Store clothes that are functional, weather-appropriate, and inconspicuous.
10. Build a Bug-Out Bag
It is important not to overlook your bug-out bag, which should be prepared for easy access. It is recommendable to keep emergency provisions readily available, such as:
- First-aid kit
- A defense weapon
- Basic tools
- Power banks
- Fire starter
- Extra clothing
- Snacks like food bars, nuts, and dried meat
11. Prepare for Home Safety
While it may not be pleasant to acknowledge, safety is a significant worry during urban emergencies. Thus, those who prepare in advance must be vigilant. Prolonged emergencies could result in thievery and aggression, whereas blackouts may elevate instances of criminal activity.
Ensure that you possess the necessary equipment to safeguard your residence in case of impending hazards.
- Defense items: guns, tasers, folding knives, or pepper spray.
- Communication tools: walkie-talkies and solar radios to stay informed.
- Extra Locks: for added protection against unwanted entries.
- Boarding supplies: wooden planks, duct tape, paracord, and more to secure entry points.
12. Bug Out Your Vehicle
Keeping your car equipped with essential items and ensuring it is well-maintained and readily available is crucial. You should have a few emergency provisions in your car, including:
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Warm clothing
- Spark plugs
- Extra tires
- Extra car battery
- Jumper cables
- Tool kit
- Traction aids like sand or kitty litter
- And more
Conclusion
When you are stuck in a disaster situation within a concrete jungle you can’t afford to lower your guard at any point. Honestly, this is a tough situation that has multiple hazards and unique challenges.
It is possible to greatly increase your chances through appropriate preparation.
