While urban preparedness requires a certain state of readiness, many of us find it hard to switch off. Media consumption, planning, and training all contribute to the success of the day - but like a TV that's always on, burnout becomes a very real possibility. When planning for the long haul, don't forget the preventative maintenance. A little really does go a long way.
Read MoreIn the opening moments of disaster, calculation often goes out the window. This may drive us to recognize the necessities of our plans but lose sight of critical details, such as what we have, what we need, and most importantly, where to go next. While planning is a critical component of urban preparedness - allowing us to rehearse and default - there's no better plan than the one we've mapped out. When in doubt, 'X' marks the spot.
Read MoreWhile long-term food supplies seem to capture our hearts, many don't sufficiently plan for what is required inside of a year. It's easy to get carried away with our short-term selection, but the problem with non-perishable food like canned goods, is that we tend to contribute just a little too much to landfill. So how do we buck this trend when prepping for events like job loss or natural disaster? We plan our urban preparedness pantry around our daily menu.
Read MoreWe've all encountered a locked barrier at some point in our lives. Locked keys in the car? Call roadside assistance. Late night as a teen? There's a basement window for that. At the end of the day, these are all easy fixes with ample opportunity. But in an urban survival scenario where self-rescue is required - and a locked door may hold you or your loved ones firmly in harm's way - a heavy-handed solution may be the only way to safety. If a lockpick or hard kick won't clear a path, perhaps it's time to knock a little louder. Enter the shotgun.
Read MoreFor most of us, urban preparedness is a theoretical solution to a possible outcome. It requires us to work the problem with a hope and a prayer, but with the understanding that we may be called upon in some manner of scale. Priorities differ for us all, but no matter your 'apocalypse' it's important to leave a little flex. Disasters are rarely as expected, and they don't much care for rigid plans.
Read MoreThere's no denying the importance of first aid in urban survival. Whether a small cut or something worth a call, having the tools to contend with a medical emergency cannot not be understated. But when we push into the dark corners of prolonged disaster, the realities of first aid can become a hard pill to swallow. Tourniquets and bandages be damned, the truth is rather grim.
Read MoreWhen met with a high-stress situation, we tend to get a little reptilian in thinking. Stress inoculation and training can take the edge off the action, but trying to recall a world of information is a whole other animal. Detailed plans, instructions, and lists can account for thousands of datapoints - information that is easily be forgotten and lost in the grey. When the details of urban survival are absolute, an educated guess can become a gamble. For pilots and other high performers, there's an easy way to hedge those bets. Make sure it's written down.
Read MoreDuring a period of civil unrest, you're either a number or a target. No matter how well equipped you or your small group may be for conflict, full battle rattle is going to draw a world of unwanted attention from the hoods and have-nots. That overt plate carrier and camo you're wearing? The city will eventually swallow you whole, thinking you're another cop, criminal, or loot drop. But at what point does our affinity for load bearing equipment or camo become a liability in urban preparedness? With big city problems, I figure it's sooner rather than later.
Read MoreA Knife is Never Shown - Only Felt.
Read MoreNo matter the medium, the pundits will all tell you the same thing about urban survival - you get out or get dead. While I think there's some truth in the statement, the rebar retreat has never been given a fair shake against its rural kin. The city is quick to erupt, so safety is a handsome target. But when we start to peel back the layers of security, it's easy to see that the common condo deserves far more credit than it gets.
Read MoreThere's nothing quite like an afternoon hike - sunshine, fresh air, and the promise of warm shower. While proper footwear can make or break a stroll, wear and tear can become a real bear as the hours stretch to days. For those thinking about bugging out or fighting on, perhaps it's time to consider this small detail of your footcare plan.
Read MoreWhile first aid holds an important place in urban survival, many of us continue to focus on the long game. We look solely to the horizon, building out full-scale solutions to face troubled times ahead. But with a world of misadventure just beyond our doors, it's important not to lose sight of the daily unknowns. Whether we like it or not, disaster usually crops up when we're least prepared.
Read MoreWhen the aim of the game is visual observation, a little added detail can go a long way. But unless you're a hunter - two legs or four - standalone optics may not yet have a home. As much as we'd all like to claim perfect vision, the truth is that we could all use a touch of help. So, perhaps it's time to give yourself the added edge and start seeing things a little more clearly.
Read MorePrepping is a bit like drinking from a firehose. There's an endless stream of info, more solutions than problems, and the gear alone could hold a person's attention for years. For many new preppers, this usually results in a disjointed plan, and a constant cycle of equipment that never quite finds a home. Whether it's the start of your journey or a period of reassessment, it's important to take a realistic look at your goals before setting off. Where's the best place to start? Close to home.
Read MoreForegoing fast designs in favor of bomb-proof construction, Cold Steel's long-time commitment to reliability has created a collection of blades to go the distance. While their product lineup is now dominated by oddballs, their legacy designs remain in place for those looking to carry a user instead of a statement. After a couple of years in the pocket, I can attest that the American Lawman from Cold Steel is no exception to the idea.
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