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Urban Survival Tips

5 Tips To Help You Prepare for An Emergency if you Live in the City

The term urban survival is getting a lot of press these days. But what does it mean?

Approximately half of people in North America live and work in or near a major city. We call them urbanites. I'm an urbanite myself.

And most urbanites have no interest in moving out of the city, into a farm house, getting off the grid and growing our own food, just to escape a possible disaster, hyperinflation, terrorist attack or pandemic.

There are other ways to be prepared in case of emergencies without giving up your life. That's really the idea behind urban survival - how to survive and thrive if you live and/or work in the city should an emergency happen.

While the topic of urban survival is way too broad for just one article, here are a few tips to consider to help you prepare for an emergency:

#1 Consider Building a Reserve of Survival Foods

Finding food in the city in case of a major emergency will be near to impossible. And trust me, after a few days you won't even want to try - people get ugly when they're hungry and there's not enough food.

Instead of heading out and battling the hungry masses, if you have your own cache of survival food stored away, you'll be both safe and happy with a full tummy.

There are different types of survival foods but many people choose to buy freeze dried foods as they have a long shelf life (up to 25 years) and don't take up much room (so your neighbours don't have to know you have food stored away).

I personally like the long term freeze dried meal packages from Nitropak since they're affordable, don't take up a lot of room, include the best tasting freeze dried food - Mountain House - and last over 25 years.

#2 Store Jugs of Water

We can go without food for several days, even weeks, if necessary. But a few days without water and forget it.

Make sure you store several large jugs of water - rotating them out every few months. You can also use the water in your hot water heater for things like washing clothes or basic cleaning.

#3 Learn Some Basic Self Defense

If you're careful, have food and water stored along with some other basic essentials, you probably won't need to head out into the mad crowds in an emergency situation. But if you do, it helps to know some basic self defense.

Consider taking a practical self defense martial art like Krav Maga or Wing Chun. And keep practicing to keep yourself fresh.

#4 Outline an Urban Survival Plan With Your Family

Sit down with your family and go over what each person will do in case of emergency. For example, have a place you all agree to meet up should you get separated.

Have a specific phone number (maybe Dad's cell phone for instance) that everyone will call to check in. When everyone is aware of the plan, you're less likely to get separated and lose track of anyone in the family.

#5 Get a Bug Out Bag or a Survival Kit To Have On Hand

These are kits of prepacked items that are easily mobile in a moment's notice. All you do is grab and go.

They usually contain food, water and other basic items that you'll need if you have to leave your home. There are even specialized kits like hurricane survival kits or earthquake survival kits that you can get depending on where you live and which disasters your city is vulnerable to.

You can find kits for your home, office, car or even school.

So those are a few urban survival tips you can do to prepare yourself in case of emergency. It's not hard. You don't have to move to the country and become a mountain man to protect yourself.

Take a few basic preparation steps and you'll be able to weather out most emergencies in basic comfort.

A final tip is to be aware of what is happening in and around your neighbourhood. Most people don't have a clue. But if you pay attention you'll usually spot trouble coming. Keep up to date with news websites and social networking if you can to stay ahead of what's happening.