Urban Survival: Navigating Threats in the City

The allure of city life is undeniable—cultural richness, career opportunities, and vibrant communities make urban living a dream for many. However, cities also harbor unique preparedness challenges and potential threats that can put your survival skills to the test. From natural disasters to civil unrest, urban environments demand a distinct approach to preparedness.

Assessing Urban Threats

As we’ve talked about in the past, no matter what your situation may be, in order to be prepared for the very real dangers this world can throw at you, you need to understand what threats are out there and do a thoughtful and thorough assessment of how you stack up against those threats and what you need to do to prepare further. For more information on threat assessments and understanding how your level of preparedness stacks up against reality, check out our article on performing a survival threat assessment.

Understanding the Unique Challenges of Living in a City during a Survival Situation or Disaster

During the good times, cities can be great hubs of activity, but there is a considerable downside should things go wrong. Two of the biggest threats you will face are population density and limited access to essential resources. These factors create a set of unique challenges for people trying to survive a disaster or long-term survival situation in an urban setting.

Population Density: Urban areas are teeming with people, which can lead to increased competition for resources in times of crisis. Even now, most urban cities are overrun with crime, chaos, and daily assaults and murders. When everyone rushes for the same supplies, having a well-thought-out plan becomes crucial. What do you think will happen when these chaotic cities become even more chaotic?

The following article goes into much deeper detail on the subject; we recommend taking a few minutes to check them out.

• BUG OUT: Staying Away From High-Density Population Centers
• During a crisis situation, people will probably be the most significant risk to your overall safety and security.

Limited Access to Resources: Unlike rural areas, cities often lack direct access to natural resources like water and food. Urban survival means finding innovative ways to secure these necessities.

• Urban Survival Sanitation – Items you should stockpile: When planning to survive in an Urban Survival situation, one of the most often overlooked is the danger associated with a lack of adequate sanitation. I know it’s not a pleasant thing to think about, but this one issue can potentially kill more people than any other survival topic we can cover.
• Urban Resources: Finding Food & Water During a Long-term Disaster: When disaster strikes and the urban jungle grinds to a halt, knowing how to find food, water, and other essential supplies will be slightly different in a big city.
• Survival Food: 60+ Long-Term Emergency Foods and Supplies You can Buy at the Grocery Store NOW!

Identifying Common Urban Threats

Crime is obviously a big one, but urban areas are susceptible to a range of threats that urban preppers must be prepared for:

Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and extreme weather events can wreak havoc in urban environments. The dense infrastructure of cities makes them vulnerable to the effects of these disasters, and poor planning and response from government officials often worsen these situations.

Civil Unrest and Protests: Political or social unrest can lead to protests, demonstrations, and potential violence. In such situations, knowing how to stay safe and navigate your way to security is essential.

Power Outages: Grid failures can disrupt essential services, including electricity. From everyday natural disasters to terror attacks by hackers or even the degradation of our aging infrastructure, having backup plans is crucial when the lights go out in a city,

Public Transportation Disruptions: In many large urban areas, much of the population doesn’t drive and depends on public transportation. During a disaster, cities relying heavily on public transportation systems will be in trouble. When these systems break down due to emergencies, mobility becomes a significant challenge for urban residents, and bugging out during an evacuation becomes impossible, leaving you vulnerable to government orders and evacuation camps.

Crime and Violence: Urban areas WILL experience increased crime during emergencies. Time and time again, we see criminal scumbags using natural disasters as an excuse to loot, rob and assault innocent people. Being prepared for personal security is essential in such scenarios.

• Defending yourself from attackers: Our self-defense guide on how to defend yourself from criminals and psychopaths looking to do you harm.
• How to Survive a Mass Shooting: What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation
• Home Safety: Security Tips for Staying Protected In Your Home

Creating an Urban Survival Plan

Surviving in an urban environment during a crisis requires careful planning and preparation. Here’s how to create an effective urban survival plan:

Emergency Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful emergency plan, especially if you live in a big city and your family is often separated. During a disaster, it is essential to ensure you have the means to stay connected:

• Established a Reliable Communication Network: Have a detailed plan to reach family members and loved ones during a crisis. Consider alternative communication methods, like ham radio, in case traditional channels fail.
• Designated an Out-of-Town Contact: Select a contact outside the city who can serve as a central point for information exchange. This person can help relay messages if local communication is disrupted.
• Communications Monitoring: The Importance of Radio Monitoring and Intelligence Gathering During Crisis Situations CANNOT be understated! Check our HamRadio Preppers article on Radio monitoring and Intelligence gathering during a crisis.

Bugout Locations

Identifying safe locations for evacuation is a crucial aspect of urban survival. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a big city when shit starts turning south!

Identify Safe Evacuation Points: You need to plan before things go wrong and where you can go if you need to leave your home quickly. Consider friends or family’s houses outside the city, hotels, or emergency shelters as potential options. If you have the means, you should also invest in a bugout trailer or a bugout property.

Make Sure Your Vehicle is Ready To Go: You have a bugout bag, your home is ready for disasters, and you have planned for the worst-case scenario, but what about your vehicle? When seconds count, your bug-out vehicle needs to be ready and able to go at a moment’s notice. Here is what you should be doing to prep it for bugging out.

Essential Supplies To Stockpile

Stocking up on essential supplies is critical to surviving urban emergencies. When disaster strikes, most stores only have a couple of days worth of supplies on hand, and if the disaster stops incoming shipments and supply chains, chaos will quickly break loose.

Build a City-Focused Bugout Bag: Prepare a backpack with essential items, including non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, tools, and important documents. Customize it to suit urban survival needs.

Stockpile Non-Perishable Food and Water: Create a stockpile of canned goods, dried foods, and bottled water that can sustain you and your family for an extended period. Check expiration dates regularly and replace items as needed.

First Aid and Medical Supplies: Assemble a comprehensive first aid kit with medications, bandages, medical equipment, and any necessary prescription medicines. Ensure you’re prepared to handle minor injuries and medical issues.

Self-Defense and Security Concerns

There is no way to sugarcoat the reality of the situation; most big cities are already a mess, and during a long-term crisis or disaster, they will be hell on earth. When civil unrest occurs, safety should be your top priority.

Personal Safety Strategies: Practice situational awareness, which means being mindful of your surroundings and potential threats. Avoid risky areas, especially during chaotic times. Use caution when interacting with strangers, and trust your instincts.

Home Security Measures: Reinforce your home’s security with robust locks, alarms, and security systems. Ensure that all entry points are secure, including doors and windows. Consider installing motion-activated lights and surveillance cameras.

• Reinforcing Doors and Windows: Strengthen entry points by installing sturdy locks, reinforced doors, and shatterproof window film.
• Maintaining a Low Profile: During civil unrest, it may be best to keep a low profile. Avoid drawing attention to your residence.

Staying Informed: Stay informed about ongoing events by monitoring news sources and social media. I would also look into ham radio and short-wave radio to monitor police, military, and locals who may be talking about the situation.

• Knowing Your Neighbors: Get to know the people in your neighborhood. Building relationships with your neighbors can foster trust and cooperation during difficult times.
• Community Watch Programs & Prepper Groups: Join or start a neighborhood watch program or Prepper Group to enhance security and communication among residents.
• Situational Intel: Knowledge is Power during a Crisis: One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family during any crisis or disaster is to stay aware of what’s happening around you. That means knowing where to find real-time, unfiltered information.