Is Urban Survival really possible?
Filed under
Urban Posted by:
Rob Richardson
During a real SHTF scenario is living in an urban environment really a safe thing to do?
Now I’m not talking about a natural disaster that lasts for a short period of time, in this case I’m talking about a worse case total collapse scenario.
The way I see it Urban Survival presents a number of challenges to those who live in a big city.
1. Sanitation I wrote an article last week on how garbage could become a huge problem in a total collapse scenario. But it’s not just garbage that poses a threat.
It’s not a pleasant thought but if the water ever stopped running and the sewage systems stopped working can you imagine how fast things would spiral out of control? From people “going in the streets” to buildings that will quickly become unsanitary hell holes, living in a big city will become a huge threat to your health and safety.
I think sanitation will be one of the most dangerous issues for those living in an urban environment. It has the potential to spread disease, pollute the waterways and kill a large number of people.
2. Gangs / Raiders Let’s face it, even during the good times there’s a segment of our population that’s just downright crazy. From people who go nuts and riot after their team loses, to violent criminals and gangs who are already terrorizing big cities, a total collapse could make urban living almost impossible.
I suspect that well armed gangs would quickly take control of most of the major cities. Traveling anywhere in a big city would become a nightmare scenario.
3. Being well armed will not save your ass – There are a number of people who think they’ll be able to fight off anyone who comes their way. There is a major flaw in that type of thinking….
This isn’t a movie….
no matter how bad ass or well armed you are it only takes one bullet to end it all.
In an urban situation almost everyone you come across will be a potential threat. If you look at a city like L.A. that has over ten million people, you quickly realize that even being well armed might not save you. To begin with half the damn city is well armed and the criminals probably have weapons that are far beyond anything you have. In my opinion staying and fighting is not an option especially if you want to survive.
4. Not sustainable – I’m not trying to go all hippie or Al Gore on you, but living in a urban environment during a collapse is not sustainable.
Our modern infrastructure has helped big cities thrive far beyond our founders wildest dreams. That same infrastructure will spell disaster for those living in big cities during a total collapse
Most people don’t realize how little modern stores actually carry. Our delivery systems have become so efficient that most stores no longer carry any kind of surplus inventory. If the system ever collapses most big cities will have less than a 3 day supply of food and water. After that all hell will break lose.
So is Urban Survival Possible?
It really depends on your location and what type of city you live in.
If you live in a big city like New York, L.A. or Chicago where crime is already a problem then I would guess that urban survival will be damn near impossible. If you live in a smaller city or suburb then you might be ok for awhile. If you are planning on staying put then you really need to start studying your city and what urban resources will be available to you after a collapse.
Subscribe to our News Feed
Another factor is mobility. Most people in major cities rely on public transit or taxis. What happens when they stop running and you can’t get around? Can’t get to the store, the doctor or even the makeshift shelter? Forget leaving by the main roads, they will be gridlocked or blocked by the authorities. Also, living in a high-rise means stairs instead of elevators. How many people could climb ten flights of stairs several times a day? Heart attacks waiting to happen. Humans are not meant to live in large, tightly packed cities. They are breeding grounds of diseases and violence.
I would imagine 99% or more of urban dwellers wouldn’t survive a true SHTF scenario for whatever reason. Having said that I would also assume that it is possible for a select few who have the wits and determination to survive in a large city. So, to answer the question: Is it possible? Sure. Is it probable? Heck no!
Watch what the govt does and do the opposite. Have an early exit strategy in place or welcome to your new iraq.
I dont think its possible what so ever. people are no where near tight nit as they used to be. in fact, people are afraid of general society. tech has brought us away from our tightly nit communities. just like any other species,if your not well socialized, your afraid or aggressive. in this society more than any other time in history, we are far from intimately socialized with our communities. Do you know your neighbors?
Interesting post.
Just read a post on ZS about a guy who described living in Sarajevo for 3 years without running water, electricity or other utilities.
They all did it.
They made wood burning stoves, fetched water and ate whatever they could. Talked about making dead fall traps in and around his house to catch and eat rodents.
Some supply was still available for him in limited quantities.
If interested, check it out. http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=81674
I think it largely depends on the human element. If you can’t work cooperatively with neighbors and friends, your chances for survival decrease. But if you can, obviously they increase.
I don’t agree that everybody you see will be an enemy. In many cases, people bond together stronger when disaster strikes. I was in downtown San Diego for a couple of large earthquakes last year. I was out on the street talking to neighbors I never had before.
A couple months later I heard an explosion after midnight one night. I ran down the street at top speed in my pjs and bare feet-cell phone in hand. As I was calling 9-1-1, and arriving on the flaming scene, there were several other people gathered around already directing emergency personnel in and making sure people were ok.
There’s always outliers and exceptions, but it’s definitely not impossible.
After all, humans started specializing and living in cities for some reason.
Great post.
Interesting post. My first inclination was to say “No, of course it’s not possible to survive in a urban environment.”
But UrbivilistDan makes a great point. The trick would be to some how outlast the gangs and ne’er-do-wells. Once most of the population has fled or otherwise been removed from the equation, it may be possible to survive in a larger city. Challenging due to lack of resources, but possible if you can first outlast the violence and chaos.
Mexico has it’s own SHTF situation going on now with the cartels and people are moving into cities because the rural areas are too hard to defend from large gangs. South Africa and Argentina also saw/sees gangs from the city traveling to the rural areas and back for raiding. It’s worth noting that city dwellers will, if possible, target suburbs and rural areas sooner than you might think.
A small town or village seems more ideal for a long term SHTF. It takes communities coming together to stop determined looters/rioters.
It’s allready started.Prep smartly my friends.
Yes it has already started so learn everything you can about how to survive and become skilled with weapons, as well as gathering survival supplies now, which not only includes food but of course weapons,gas mask etc… if you have not watched it you need to check out the videos on YouTube Sons of Liberty Guerrilla Warfare Training there are 7 parts to it and even if you do not believe in what the Sons of Liberty CD talks about the Guerrilla warfare training videos can pretty much prepare you for any kind of SHTF event
Rob… Excellent point. However, with well thought out defensive tactics, pre-placed anti-personnel devices, (of course I mean legal instruments), and the ability to take immediate action should the situation demand it, I believe it’s possible to survive in both settings.
I live in wichita ks and I think it’s totaly possible to live in a city during a emergency. The city is where the trade is gonna take place and where people with different skill sets are gonna be. In ks everyone is a prepper in some way and if you try looting here good luck in our largest city it seems everyone has a concealed carry licsence. house out in the middle of nowhere are easy to surrond and have no support. Think about this what if the minutemen at the lexington green bugged out instead of staying and fighting for there town.
Kyle,
You mean like how so many people were able to live in New Orleans after it was hit? And that’s the thing, once the food runs out everyone will be fighting each other for food or trying to escape those that are fighting/looting. Then gangs/raiders will get worse as certain groups (who have weapons) start banding together to take from others.
Sure, after the emergency people will return to towns/cities, but that requires the situation to have stabilized and things like food to be available.
you’re all nuts BUT I’m with ya defended to the end……know your surroundings know witch way to go the best rout in and out….and don’t turn your back on any one unless you’ve put a bullet in them first…
Don’t be afraid to talk to people in your community about topics like this. Heck, make up a story and say someone asked you if you are embarrassed to talk about it. I did and was surprised about how many people think about it. Some will flat out talk your ear off about it. So be active in your area, talk to friends, family, neighbors, whoever. I talk to my kids about such topics. Not to scare but they won’t be taught in school about it. My wife and I have a plan for emergency situations. We mapped out an area that we thought was the safest route for her to get home. Least powerlines, wide roads, no big trees, stuff to consider in a earthquake area. She even has a BOB and a firearm in her vehicle in case SHTF while she is not with me. Learn to be a survivor and teach your family. The more we are all self efficient the less I have to shoot for trying to rob me. PATRIOTS KNIGHT on facebook. Horses, quads, and a 4×4…
Praise Odin I live nowhere near a city, but my concern is that in a SHTF situation, some of these social wastes of DNA (gang members and such) will probably think of coming to the country for a raid. Think about it: rule the city by day, raid the surrounding rural towns by night. That’s what I’d do.
either way, SHTF, I go to the woods with my AK and lay low.
This is scary stuff, and a topic that everyone needs to think about. Especially with the blunders our government is making and the increasingly violent populace, but I don’t know how to start preparing. I have a limited budget and I don’t know where to begin or which steps are more important. Excellent article.
Funny thing is people have survived SHTF scenario’s in urban enviroments, Argentina and Bosnia both immediately spring to mind, going back a little further the depression saw people leaving the country looking for work in the city. A lot depends on sit-x, desperate people and criminal elements aren’t just going to sit and starve when most cities are surrounded by farmland.
Of course locations and situations vary across the globe, here in the UK we have crop and livestock theft, poaching on the increase and commuter criminals both often city gangs heading into the country for easier pickings. Not every SHTF is a mad max fantasy, depending on sit-x a urban enviroment could be a better option.
i with the right information and knowledge it is almost unavoidable for a small group or family to survive. if i had to suggest a really good survival guide to almost any survival scenario you could think of [famine, nuclear war/fallout, earthquakes, ect.]i’d suggest “life after doomsday a survivalists guide to nuclear war and other major disasters” [by Buce D. Clayton, Ph. D]. this book will tell alot of info to a person who knows nothing to almost everything about emergency preparedness. the main subject of this book is nuclear war [because if you know how to survive nuclear war you know how to survive the rest] even though it will still tell you info on other stuff.
I get concerned when “survivalists” talk about the weapons they have and say they will use,I dont know if surviving in the their society is any better than dying,no one seems to know that a team effort is required to survive,even special forces will tell you that,thats how they succeed,cooperation over killing,I think some need to change their mind set
I am only upset when I hear that survivalists with guns will just take from those who cannot defend themselves. That makes you no better than the Government. You do not have any right to anyones stuff no matter what. How is law going to be restored when you create more mayhem? Remember, we all answer to God. Stealing is stealing.
These movies should help:
The road
The book of Eli
2012
Escape from NY
Etc.
This is a joke right?
YOU CAN SURVIVE IN AN URBAN SITUATIONS
but it won’t be easy
the Russians actaully resorted to canibalism when the germans lay siege to them stallengrad
I was raised up around fort drum ny where 10th mtn does winter training, lived in arizona and am familiar with the desert, travelled around central america and been in the jungle..lived in country, lived in the city, did a bit of prison back when i was young and wild…
My attitude is wherever i end up i will adapt and survive. I will lie steal cheat and kill if necessary, that isnt even a question in my mind. By alll means read the stories by Selco, the guy in bosnia..national geos “doomsday preppers” is a good program. I garrantee if you cannot defend it, it isnt yours..thats your country, street, your ass..literally. it definitely will not be at all like the movies. Is god going to save you? The law?.. all i can say is lotsa luck. I reckon such notions are comforting to some folks.
My 2 cents here… In any situation like this, you always talk about the gangs, and people trying to raid you. But, noone ever suggests this; form up your own group of people you know will cooporate, and can adapt. If they can have safety in numbers, why can’t you?
I’m not saying you need to be a violent gang of people stealing from others, but just try to defend something, and live off the land.
Heres a tip relating to that though: I am 17, and I know most of my generation is doomed when such an event occurs. They cannot adapt, and are mostly a bunch of princesses. Many will starve due to stubborness, many will die from sickness. Bathing in purell doesn’t protect you from sickness, it makes you more suseptable when you do get it.(You guessed it, my hopes are not high, but I’m going to keep on going)
It really depends on the SHTF situation. In nuclear war chances are that the larger cities are going to be targeted for the most damage done per bomb. So you’re potentially screwed before you can even start trying to survive. If it’s a massive collapse with people raiding and what not, then your best chances of survival revolve around your ability to hunker down for as long as possible. The less you have to go out the better your chances of survival while everyone else kill each other off. But naturally you’re still going to want to be able to protect yourself in your residence in case people try to raid it while looking for supplies for them to survive off of.
In a lesser SHTF situation people have already stated how a city could be a better place to be. So the real trick is surviving the first bit with minimal leaving the residence (first 3-14 days).
My husband and I are starting to get our plan together right now…especially with the announcement that there is another BIG CRASH of the economy coming. We are stocking up, buying shotguns, getting our house security ready and yes planning on hunkering down as long as possible. We live in a suburban area and we know our neighbors and we are pretty sure we could depend on them and vise versa….I would like to know what some of you think about securing the house. What methods will be the most effective? electric fencing? razor wire? Lighting? Then what weapons would YOU choose? I say shotguns where accuracy is not that important. Do you think a CB radio and scanner would be handy just to keep a finger on the pulse?
I need lots of input! Thanks!
Guns 22cal,12ga,Ammo.. Traps leg, snares,rat Fishing,,,, Wild plants you can eat.. Seeds … Learn how to clean water ,start a fire, silver dimes, caned meat,
After discussing our current options, we have decided that for the short-term we will bug-in, in suburban St. Louis. We are making our plans to protect ourselves and our townhouse and stocking up on MREs and such. The ultimate plan is to head to family property in Arkansas, but depending on what the actual situation is, traveling that distance may be difficult or impossible.
I live in a moderately sized city called Flint, Michigan. While it’s not as large as Detroit or New York, we still have one of the highest crime rates per capita. I don’t have money to buy a bug out location, but I’ll be damned if I’m staying put in a city when the SHTF. My plan so far is to bug out with my family to northern Michigan where there are thousands of acres of state and national forest land open to the public. The key to my plan is to bug out before law enforcement and civil services breakdown and while the back roads are still accessible. Good luck everyone.
I cannot afford the time to dream about retreating to a piece of land away from everything, or building my own retreat where I can keep me and my “group” totally safe from whatever may come. I have a responsibility to deal with realities. (Of course there are so many fragments of reality to be considered right now, that gets really complicated.)
I will, if possible, hunker down within my current metropolitan area, though not in a hardcore urban zone. If you truly know your environment, you have one big advantage over “escaping” to a totally unfamiliar location. I do know my area’s detailed strengths and vulnerabilities. I also have some serious family responsibilities that had to go into my decision. One big issue that I did not see mentioned in the comments or the posting above is the possible response of the powers that be to an imminent crisis or to the societal reaction to such a crisis. If you have not given consideration to that factor, you may well find all of your preparations moot.
I will admit that I have been late in coming to this party, because I have a strong bias against whimsical speculation. I have put a lot of effort into a rigid adherence to facts and logic. The problem is I have now gathered enough facts to greatly reduce the range of possible outcomes ahead. What was left refutes many of my strongly held hopes and expectations. The greater dangers may not be merely lack of services and roving scavengers or disorganized gangs. The greater danger may become the price exacted for the services that are offered and the incentives presented to encourage you to accept those services. (Yes, I am intentionally choosing obtuse language, because I do comprehend the capabilities connected to the technology I am to share this with you.)
Prepare well and be safe.
Check out – the article on “Update: Marine Vet Still Held …” in the right hand column near the top of this page!
I live in a small town in mid-America. I actually discuss options with the guys in my church, and continually emphasize community responsibility. A tornado would force me to relocate to a friend’s farm, but it is possible to survive in town here. A river is only a mile away, so I can transport water if the electricity fails (need pumps to keep water towers full). I run a camp kitchen for teens in the summer, can feed 25 at a meal, for a full extended weekend without running out of fuel or food. Only real issue is my wife has real medical needs, so those must be dealt with if there is a long-term problem. We can survive in-place for a month.
After divorce and returning from mosul iraq.my sgt land leased me An old apt bldg.im broke and broken.yet with no running water, electrtic cable or heat ive survived.i work, keep clean,no b o and survive.noone helps me.I have to chuckl when i hear life is hard for NYers with no power and heat for two weeks.my kids gave me a c ruz tablet and. I get free wifi.its hard,i hate it but can be done.two winters and still surviving, cold in WV
Reminds me of The Stand by Stephen King. I really hope it wouldn’t get that bad.