By Tim Gamble
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Previous article: Survival in Dense Forests: Navigating Nature's Maze (article link)
Urban Survival Strategies: Navigating the Concrete Jungle
Urban environments present their own set of challenges and opportunities for survival. Unlike wilderness survival, urban survival revolves around navigating human-made (city) landscapes, managing resources in a densely populated area, and dealing with obstacles such as government bureaucracy, HOAs, landlords, and nosy neighbors living in very close proximity. Here's how to survive and thrive in an urban setting:
Preparation
- Emergency Supplies:
- Water: At least one gallon per person per day, for at least one week (more is better)
- Food: Easy-to-prepare meals for at least one week (more is better), that don't require refrigeration or even heating. Think pop-tarts, peanut butter, crackers, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned soups, and canned pastas. Sure, most of these taste better heated, but can be eaten straight out of the can if no electricity.
- First-Aid Kit: A real first aid and trauma kit, not just a few band aids and a dried-up tube of triple antibiotic ointment scattered about your home. Also, have prescription and OTC medications you might need. For GREAT quality, American-made first aid kits and supplies click this Refuge medical affiliate link for 10% OFF at checkout, or use my promo code: TIM.
- Tools: A good flashlight (Amazon link) or headlamp (Amazon link), plenty of batteries (Amazon link), a manual can opener (Amazon link), a basic set of tools (Amazon link) and duct tape or gorilla tape (Amazon link). Don't forget aboutsanitation and hygiene items.
- Communications: Portable emergency radio (Amazon link) and a family communications plan (article link).
- Winter Warmth: Have a way to stay warm if the power goes out in winter, such as a fireplace or woodstove (don't forget firewood), portable propane heater for indoor use (Amazon link), and plenty of warm clothes and blankets.
- Know Your Area:
- Local Resources: Have physical maps of your city and region. Learn the area where you work, shop, and live. Identify nearby water sources, grocery stores, supply shops, and healthcare facilities.
- Evacuation Routes: Know multiple ways to exit your area, including less obvious paths such as greenways or railroads.
Shelter
- Stay or Go: Decide if staying in your current location is safer than moving. High-rise buildings can be traps in certain disasters but safe havens in others. Hunkering down will likely be your best option in most situations, but not others. Have a bug-out plan, which is more than just a bug-out bag (article link).
- Securing Shelter:
- Home Fortification: Reinforce doors, windows, and have a safe room if possible.
- Alternative Shelters: Know where to go if your primary shelter is compromised. Avoid government run shelters if at all possible.
Water
- Finding Water:
- Public Sources: Fountains, toilet tanks (not the bowl), and water heaters can be sources if municipal water fails.
- Rainwater: Collect from rooftops or balconies.
- Purification: Boiling, water purification tablets, or makeshift filters using sand, charcoal, and cloth can clean water.
Food
- Scavenging:
- Legal and Ethical considerations: Stealing and looting is illegal, but what in an emergency situation when things are desperate and law and order has broken down and not likely to come back anytime soon? Think through if and when you would "scavenge" for survival.
- Safety Considerations: The owners may be there to defend their property, or other scavengers may be armed and not willing to share.
- Supermarkets and Big Box Stores: Initially the first place to go, but they might be looted quickly.
- Restaurants: Often have bulk supplies in storerooms.
- Gardens: Urban gardens or parks can provide food.
- Abandoned Homes and Apartments: Possibility of food and all kinds of other supplies. But are they truly abandoned? Will the owners return?
- Preservation: Learn basic food preservation techniques if electricity is out, like salting, drying, or smoking.
- Backyard Chickens: A few cities and urban areas now allow backyard chickens as a "hobby." There are limits on how many you can have, and you probably won't be allowed to sell eggs, but if your area allows it, take up this delicious hobby.
Security
- Self-Defense:
- The 2nd Amendment makes self-defense and the tools of self-defense legal. Despite that, many authorities try to limit or even eliminate your ability to defend yourself and your family. Know the rules for your area.
- Be armed and trained. Know the rules for your particular are.
- Take a good self-defense course. Places like the YMCA, gyms, community colleges, and community centers often host these. Or get your church to host one.
- Non-lethal options: Pepper spray (Amazon link), stun guns (Amazon link), or improvised weapons (walking sticks, baseball bats, a sock full of quarters, etc.).
- Community: Form or join local watch groups for mutual protection.
- Avoidance: Practice situational awareness (article link). Stay out of sight when possible; avoid confrontations. Know and avoid the bad neighborhoods and dangerous areas of your town or city.
Psychological Resilience
- Mental Health:
- Overcome addictions: You don't want to deal with withdrawal during a crisis. Deal with any addictions now.
- Routine: Maintain some semblance of normalcy with daily tasks.
- Community: A strong relationship with your spouse, family and friends is necessary. Human connection can be vital; share resources and information.
- Adaptability: Be ready to change your plans based on evolving situations.
Resource Management
- Conservation:
- Power: Use battery power sparingly; consider solar chargers.
- Water: Ration and reuse water where safe.
- Bartering: Learn what items are valuable (like cigarettes, alcohol, batteries) for trading goods or services.
Health and Sanitation
- Medical Preparedness:
- First Aid: Basic knowledge and supplies can cover many emergencies.(Refuge medical affiliate link for 10% OFF at checkout, or use my promo code: TIM.)
- Hygiene: Avoiding sick people, staying away from others when you are sick, and washing hands frequently are the most effective way to slow the spread of disease. Ear-loop facemasks do work against bacteria, but not viruses.
- Waste Management: Plan for waste disposal to prevent health hazards.
Exit Strategy
- Evacuation:
- Bug-Out Plan: More than just a bag and a location (article link).
- Bug-Out Bag: Always have one ready with essentials.
- Transportation: Make sure you vehicle is in good working order and fueled up at all times. Know alternative means if cars are unusable; bikes, walking routes, or even boats if near water.
Urban survival requires a balance between preparing for emergencies and adapting to rapidly changing circumstances. The key is to be resourceful, have a network of support, and maintain situational awareness. Always remember, in an urban setting, your fellow humans can be both your greatest resource and your biggest challenge.
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