Top 15 Urban Survival Skills when SHTF.

TOP 15 useful urban survival skills before and during SHTF.

Cities are not self-sufficient. Water, food, electricity, fuel and gas - all this must be brought to the city from the nearest or distant surroundings. These commodities will be the most important factor influencing city survival. Their sudden and permanent shortage will cause an almost immediate social collapse. There will be a short period of uncertainty (estimated at about 2-3 days until the depletion of fuel for generators for the police, emergency services, hospitals and firefighters), which will quickly turn into a period of chaos, anarchy, looting first by shops and companies, with gradual theft. private individuals associated with gross violence and murder. The longer the lack of water, electricity, food and fuel lasts, the worse the social disorder. The decline of society, the absence of control, order and law, chaos, street battles and the devastation of everything around will happen surprisingly quickly.

If the whole country is affected in this way, there is a mortal danger for almost everyone in it.

Today we will talk about a few skills that can save your life in the city when there is a time of anarchy and chaos, which is also referred to by preppers as SHTF (Shit Heats the Fun).

1. AVOIDANCE AND EVASION

Your most important skill in SHTF time will be to avoid any problem and conflict quickly. No, we're not talking about any cowardice here. Honor and glory are not at stake here, but bare life is at stake here.

You win 100 percent of the fights you don’t get into.

Your strategy must be to avoid any risk in the city at all costs, while minimizing unavoidable damage. You need to develop a specific approach to city life to help you cope with each situation. To do this, you need to develop certain specific skills and knowledge.

2. AWARENES

Situational awareness. Being constantly alert.

You have to keep your prudence, predictability and mindfulness always on. You should be attentive and receptive. You have to make fast and correct evaluation of details.

Your subconscious must always work and automatically evaluate the situation of your surroundings. In addition to paying attention to people around you, you should also observe unusual sounds, shouts, smells (fire, smoke, chemicals, etc.), unknown, new and suspicious objects, unusual behavior of individuals, large groups of people, etc.

Learn to watch people's hands, eyes and facial expressions discreetly. Hands are especially important. What someone does with their hands is very helpful.

Firstly, by looking at a person's hands, we verify that the person is not holding a weapon and is not preparing to attack.

Secondly, hands often show hidden bad intentions. For example, someone who hides something that does not want others to reveal, such as a weapon, knife, or stolen object, often touches or pats on the area of ​​the body where the object is hidden, as if to make sure that the object is not lost, or that he is still well hidden from view.

Instead, learn to control your own body and behave as inconspicuously as possible. Uncertain or even frightened behavior, or on the contrary too confident, can arouse unwanted interest from others.

Remember the survival rule ABO = Always Be Oriented. You can practice this rule even before the onset of SHTF, e.g. when visiting the restaurant, of course, if the situation allows, sit with your back to the wall so that you can see the entrance.

Apply another survival rule “3”.

You can survive "3" minutes without oxygen, "3" days without water and "3" weeks without food.

Modified rule “3” for urban survival as follows:

• Always keep in mind “3” ways to quickly leave an enclosed space, a building (eg know where the main entrance, side entrance, back door, window is)

• Always find, select and have access to “3” things that you could use as a potential weapon in your defense.

• “3“ strikes for every 1 block. So if you block a kick or punch, three punches follow.

It's a good idea to always carry at least a metal tactical pen with you, wherever you are. And of course, wherever you go, you have your fists and legs with you. Be attentive and resourceful.

Notice the various obstacles, barriers.

Obstacles can hinder you, but they can also be used to use them to your advantage and prevent them from reaching you. Locate any obstacles and consider in advance how to avoid them to get out of imminent danger, or plan how to use them to hold back a potential threat from the other side.

Do not walk like with eye flaps.

Beware, daily routine weakens your attention and disrupts alertness.

Avoid complacency. Complacency is a major obstacle to situational awareness.

Apathy, satisfaction and denial are the three main barriers to good situational awareness. Avoid them at all costs.

3. DRESS SAME AS MOB 

Americans use the term Gray Man for this. Be discreet. Behave and act so that you fit into the crowd around you as much as possible. It is important to remember that you should also dress so that you blend in with the crowd and the people around you.

Do not wear t-shirts with political expressions, logos of sports, fashion and corporate companies. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry and expensive branded watches and other fashion accessories of world brands. Avoid  to use of strong perfumes.

Avoid direct eye contact if possible. But again in moderation. By constantly looking away, you can suspect others of hiding something or being afraid of something. Always monitor your surroundings, but be careful not to sniff out the attention of others. Go poker face at all times. 

WARNING! Non-verbal communication speaks louder than words.

Communicate minimally and when you have to, so calmly and loud enough to understand you, confidently, decisively, but do not raise your voice and do not shout, do  not sing, do not attract the attention of others.

If everyone around you looks miserable, or dirty and untidy, and you are the only one with a well-groomed hairstyle, clean-shaven, clean with an ironed shirt, then be sure to immediately attract attention, as you will be immediately visible to everyone, different.

Also, you don't have to let anyone know with your clothes that you belong to preppers, former soldiers, etc. The Glock cap, UF-Pro jacket, 5.11 pants, Bates boots and the Mil-tec backpack all in either digital camouflage or military green will clearly tell everyone what is going on.

Choose neutral civilian clothes, depending on the weather and season - jeans and a T-shirt or a softshell from Lidl. No reflective colors visible at a distance.

4. PHYSICAL CONDITION AND SELF-DEFENSE

Keep in good physical condition. Exercise, strengthen and run regularly. Add to that a good knowledge of martial arts. It's up to you what suits you best - boxing, judo, karate, krav maga, or jiu jitsu.

You don't have to be a black belt holder. All you have to do is visit self-defense courses at the beginning and there, under the supervision of experienced trainers, learn a few defensive grips, punches and kicks that are suitable for various situations and then hone to perfection with regular training at home.

Always carry at least a tactical pen or tactical flashlight with you and learn to use them for defensive purposes. If permitted by the laws of your country, you may carry a defensive spray, telescopic baton, stun gun, knife, or even a firearm. Perhaps I don't even have to remind you that for the successful use of any defensive device, it is necessary to thoroughly test the device in advance, train it perfectly and practice it regularly in order to restore lost habits.

5. ORIENTATION SKILLS

Learn to recognize and remember important landmarks in the city - bridges, towers, churches, tall buildings, surrounding hills, permanent billboards, large neon signs and, if possible, in every neighborhood not only during the day, but also in poor visibility or even at night.

Avoid dangerous neighborhoods and experience escape routes.

If you get lost and find yourself in a dangerous neighborhood, keep calm in the first place, do not reveal your uncertainty to your surroundings and do not attract the attention of others with your behavior. Do not suddenly change the direction of walking, do not ask for the journey of the first person you meet. Try to find your way around the famous city landmarks as soon as possible and continue to the nearest escape route.

Some prepper recommend putting a map and compass in the EDC. Other preppers consider it unnecessary. After all, we have smart phones. I personally prefer the first option. Smartphones will only work if there is electricity and internet. Yes, there are applications that also work offline, but how many days after a power failure will you still be able to charge your phone?

If we talk about the topic of survival in the city and consider that we will be affected by various scenarios, e.g. a strong earthquake, where it can be assumed that most buildings will remain in ruins, swirling dust will rapidly reduce visibility so that orientation is very difficult in such a situation and in the absence of mobile operator services will remain as the only option map and compass. Even if the mobile network miraculously works, you can be sure that it will be so congested that you have minimal chance of using it.

6. HOME DEFENSE

The survival of SHTF in the city is practically impossible for an individual, even if armed. But a small well-organized, equipped, armed and trained group / family has a much better chance than an individual. It is similar with houses in the city and in suburban areas. One house will not defend itself from looting hordes. The owners must join a defensive coalition and defend their street, block together. Otherwise, they will not survive and gradually defeat them as individuals looting hordes. See the real experience of the conflict in Bosnia 1991-1995.

Every house with a garden should have some protection built against the enemy from the outside. That protection should consist of several sectors, layers, circuits, zones. It doesn't matter what we name it. But the principle is the same. Also, don't forget the evacuation plan in case of fire. It is necessary that all the inhabitants of the house know the emergency exits.

Otherwise, we will protect the house from unwanted visitors in peacetime and otherwise when there is a deterioration of the security situation, or even to anarchy or total collapse.

In peacetime, you may only use funds that comply with applicable laws. You can have motion sensors connected to lights or cameras installed around the house. A watchdog can run outside and an alarm with a camera system can be installed in the house. You can have security doors, or security locks, or window grilles, or at least security films.

But if a crisis situation occurs and there is anarchy and lowless chaos, half of your security measures will stop working, because the electricity supply will be interrupted and the mobile network and the Internet will not work either. You can help yourself with spare batteries or a generator, but this solution is only temporary and also depends on the situation with fuel to the generator.

In addition, the noise of the generator and the light at night will attract unwanted attention from the surroundings. According to the experience of the war in Yugoslavia 1991-1995, the first houses that attacked the starving gangs were the houses that had alarms and generators. Therefore, the use of the generator must be carefully considered and its use only so as not to reveal it. This means darkened windows and effective sound or odor insulation of the generator.

You can use two different ways to defend your house. It all depends on the specific situation. You will either admit that the house is inhabited and actively protected, or the second way is that we will do everything so that no one is interested in the house. We will make it unattractive.

The concept of a inhabited house

Active defense.

Arrangements around the house should be taken to serve as an early warning system. A solid high barbed wire fence should be the first obstacle for an intruder. Right behind the fence, it would be ideal to have a well-trained guard dog. If we do not have a dog, we must make the means of early warning ourselves. For this purpose, we will use various mechanical and sound traps, wire trips, glass fragments, cans on cords, pads with nails, etc. In addition, the surroundings of the house or protected area must be monitored 24/7 by the human eye in all circumstances. In addition, with this method of defense, it is necessary for the defender of the house to be armed not only with cold weapons (knife, machete, sword, spear, ax, tomahawk, baton, baseball bat), but also with firearms.

The house itself should be equipped with additional security features such as armored doors, fire doors, security locks, window grilles, sandbags, fire protection equipment, escape routes secured by smoke granades and prepare supplies of Molotov cocktails.

It is advisable to have hidden escape exits from the house. It is also good to build hidden places for food, water, precious metals, money and other valuables in time, as well as shelter for people. Never hide all things in just one big stash, if it is discovered you will lose everything.

Keep only a small amount of food and water in the house. Most of the supplies must be hidden in several secret hiding places in the house, or buried underground in plastic waterproof containers on the plot next to the house.

The concept of an abandoned house

The purpose is to give the impression that the house is uninhabited, abandoned, there is nothing in it, it has already been stolen so that there is no interest in such a house.

For this purpose, it is good to scatter garbage and broken furniture around the house. Place the carcasses of small animals and feces on the access walkways. We want to discourage unwanted visitors.

The official entrance must be barricaded from the outside with rubbish, rubble, pieces of large damaged furniture so that it is not possible to enter the house through the main door. However, it is necessary to create a new hidden entrance and other hidden emergency exits, either underground or above ground with camouflaged ladders.

Do not use light at night in such a house. Minimize movement and noise in the house as much as possible. Depending on the specific situation in the house do not smoke, do not cook, use only for sleeping and rest.

The use of the concept of an unoccupied house must be considered. Not always applicable. If all the houses in your area are untouched, like new, then your house will look like an eye catch.

7. STEALTH MOVEMENTS

Your ability to survive in the city should also include how to move around the city unnoticed.

You just don't want anyone to see you when you have to go from point A to point B. Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Get a city map and study it before you ever have to go through hard times in an urban environment. Always plan your trip so that you also have alternative options. The shortest route may not be safe either. Therefore, plan to make safety first.

• If possible, practice discreet movement. Practice crawling on different surfaces. Learn to climb the rope and pole. Train your balance and walk on tight loads at great heights. Practice safe jumps from great heights on various landing surfaces. Practice silent crawling on different surfaces. Run the Spartan Race in peacetime, there you will learn all of it.

• Always walk - even bicycles are too noisy. Be aware that sidewalks and roads will not be clean, but there will be various obstacles, debris, or debris from the surrounding collapsed or burned houses. Avoiding obstacles on bicycles can be complicated and noisy.

• Never go alone, but beware that a large group can be easily betrayed. Ideal is a group of at least two and a maximum of 4. But of course it also depends on the purpose of the trip.

• Adjust your gear before the trip so that it does not make any noises when walking, running or crawling. Do not step on glass fragments, iron sheets, do not umbrage any debris. Move very carefully through the building rubble. On the one hand, you can be seriously injured because they may not be stable, and on the other hand, you can make a lot of noise by sliding it. Avoid the puddles. Their wading causes noise and traces.

• Divide the path into several short sections. Before entering the selected section, always observe the surroundings for a while and listen carefully. Select suspicious sounds, animal sounds, music, screams, conversation, etc.

• Always be on the side where the shadows are. You can use alleys, sidewalks, roofs and even make shortcuts through small buildings. You can also use a sewer system. Just make sure you know that these corridors are safe and unoccupied, otherwise you could run into problems.

• Try to move at dusk and dawn - or at night, if you prefer - to minimize the likelihood of being seen or bumping into others.

• Remember - if you have to use a light at night, always use a red light. The standard white light is too visible and attracts the attention of others.

• The use of night vision devices will be particularly suitable equipment for such an activity.

8. IMPROVED DRIVING SKILLS

How to use a car.

a) In peacetime

Whatever car you use, never give any pink, purple, glittery or otherwise "girl's" or "baby" stickers. Such stickers mark you as an easier target, probably a female target for predators waiting somewhere in advance, who, according to the car, can choose a victim somewhere in underground garages or in a parking lot near nightclubs.

Always keep the fuel tank sufficiently full.

Do not expose expensive items to the seats or behind the rear window.

Always check the rear seat area before getting into the car.

After getting in the car, start and lock all the doors as soon as possible.

When driving at night through a dangerous neighborhood, do not stop at the red light, but rather slow down and leave the intersection with caution as soon as possible.

b) Restriction of population movement - civil unrest and deteriorating security situation.

If the mobile network is still working, check the passability of roads for congestion, closures due to demonstrations and the like.

Plan several path variants to your destination and verify their passability via mobile applications. Before the journey ahead, try to find out whether roadside checks, roadblocks, closures, etc. have been built on some sections of the road. The community itself can actively defend itself against the arrival of foreigners by setting up checkpoints in order to prevent raids and theft of so-called shops. cross-country fellow citizens from other cities or neighborhoods.

c) When SHTF occurs

Probably all outages from the city will either be crowded with minimal movement, which is still quite good, or a worse situation will occur if the outages are completely closed either due to some natural obstacle on the road (eg broken trees on the road, a collapsed house, water flooded part of the road , which is impassable, confined road, road damage) or an artificial obstacle on the road such as. heavy concrete barriers, parked, broken vehicles, or abandoned vehicles without fuel. The events of Katrina 2005 fulfilled this scenario to the letter.

In this case, you must have plan B, C, D .....

If you can still drive, never travel alone, but not in large groups. Ideal 2 to 3 vehicles together. More vehicles can be a problem by creating a longer convoy.

It is already essential for such a journey that the group is well armed. However, it can happen, especially at the beginning of the SHTF, that you come across a check point that is under the control of government forces - the army, police, national guards, local authorities militia, and these forces can confiscate your weapons by law.

If you move by car during SHTf and you come across a check point that is under the control of self-proclaimed groups or looting bands, then try to avoid such places on time. You must not allow yourself to lose your weapons. Do not let take them from you under any circumstances.

9. COMMUNICATION AND ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE

If you get into a conflict or a heated situation from which there is no escape, always communicate with strangers calmly, do not raise your voice and do not shout. Do not unnecessarily strain, try to act decisively, vigorously and confidently at all times. Your self-confidence and decisive behavior may discourage the other party from taking further unforeseen actions. Try to resolve any conflict situation with a calm voice, agreement, promise, do not unnecessarily escalate tension. Try to end the conflict verbally as soon as possible, but be careful not to retreat prematurely, the other side could explain this as fear and cowardice, which could provoke it to attack again.

Depending on the situation, sometimes there is no time to explain or negotiate and conflict should be avoided by fleeing quickly.

Communication with family members or within a closed group.

In the case of any SHTF scenario, communication over mobile networks may be limited, congested, or impossible. Always have a list of your group's landline phone numbers with you. Create a communication tree - a scheme according to which you will call other members of the family, group.  etc.

The purpose of such a scheme is to minimize the number of telephone calls when the communication network is congested. Everyone in the family / group will have who will call whom, like on a tree from the top down. Then the last of the group is called back by the team at the top of the tree.

10. WATER MANAGEMENT

Water collection (rain, lake, stream, river, canal, etc.), various methods of treatment of the collected water for further use and its storage. Those who are clear about the procedures around water mentioned above have half won.

11. CITY GARDENING

It is clear that we are not talking about an ornamental or relaxing garden in front of the house, but about highly efficient cultivation of vegetables and fruits on a small plot or terrace, balcony, which should ensure a supply of fresh vegetables and vitamins for at least some time.

12. SCAVENGING SKILLS

Garbage collection and collection of discarded items that may be useful to another person. This is not about experience, but rather about luckiness, who ever comes across where and what when searching. Timing also plays a big role here. You'll find more when you start searching among the first ones. If you are in any big city, you need to realize that even the largest city has its limits, because you will not be looking alone, but practically the whole city with you.

13. PSYCHICAL PREPARATION AND PLANNING

Make a preparation plan for A, B, C ... for various catastrophic scenarios that could affect your city. More about possible SHTF scenarios in this article.

Plan your preparedness goals. Planning everything at the last minute is a guarantee of failure. Therefore, your preparation plan should have a time schedule. The length of the timeline of your preparedness plan depends on your financial capabilities, your personal abilities, and how much time you devote to it.

Plan several escape routes.

Test your planned escape routes in practice, at different times of the year, weather and even at night, so that you know all the routes and check whether they are really usable, so that you know how long they will take under normal conditions.

Start preparing supplies of long-term storable food, drinking water, hygiene items and medicines, fuel and ammunition.

Get the necessary equipment and tools. Fortify your house. Have enough fuel and other operating fluids on hand for your vehicle.

Meeting all the goals of your training plan will give you confidence and peace of mind.

14. TRADING SKILLS, BARTER

Never do business transactions, barter directly in your house or in front of your house, but also in its immediate vicinity.

Never do business transactions in strangers or unknown houses.

Always try to trade in neutral territory or in public markets.

Never trade in large quantities, especially with strangers.

Never go trading alone. Always have at least one person with you and keep the other in a hidden deposit.

When exchanging, never say how much you have to exchange. It is not recommended to change weapons and ammunition so that they do not turn against you later, but sometimes the situation will require e.g. in case of lack of life-saving drugs, etc.

It is good to have enough different commodities in stock to exchange. You can find a list of such most wanted commodities in the article on barter commodities.

15. FIRST AID

Basic knowledge of every survivalist and prepper. There is nothing to discuss here. I will only mention that it is good to prepare sufficiently large stocks of medical supplies and medicines in advance.

CONCLUSION

Of course, other knowledge is especially suitable for urban survival, but I do not consider it key to survival, but it can help and facilitate survival in difficult conditions in the city.

I will mention at least the skills of a do-it-yourselfe. Also a skilled craftsman can offer his services for food, water, medicine, clothing, fuel, etc. A carpenter, electrician, waterman, plumber will certainly not get lost and will be needed. Other skills that not everyone masters, but can sometimes come in handy are: lock  picking, starting a car through hot wires without keys, production of reloaded ammunition, production of alcohol, hand combat signals, Morse signals. I certainly didn't mention them all. Do you also have your own ranking of useful skills needed to survive in the city when SHTF occurs?