The One Year Urban Survival Plan - Month 2

“Prepare the umbrella before it rains.” – Malay Proverb

This month, you'll start building your bug out bag. You'll also learn about water storage, home security, weapons, safety, and self-defense.

BUG OUT BAG

To build a bug out bag, you need to get a good hiking bag for each member of your family.

Once you have a bag, the first thing you need to do is build a “hydration kit.” People can survive a 2-3 weeks without food, but they can only survive 2-3 days without water, so your first priority is to make sure you can keep yourself hydrated if the taps aren't working or you're on the move.

Water Purification Kit Checklist

Here's what to get this month:

Camelbak – You can put this inside your backpack and bring it with you. It weighs about 6 pounds when full, but you'll likely drink it all in the first day. After that, you'll have to find sources of water along the way and purify it with a water filter or water purification tablets (see below). Note: Be sure to clean it out on a regular basis to prevent mold.
Canteen – This can be used to boil water, and it even comes with a little cup that you can use to make tea or soup. Be sure to get one made from stainless steel.
Collapsible water bottle – When unfolded, this will hold up to 22 ounces of water.
Collapsible water bowl – If you're bringing a pet, be sure to bring a water bowl.
Electrolyte tablets – If you're hiking all day, you're going to get dehydrated. These will help you retain fluids.
LifeStraw Go – This water bottle has a built-in water filter. Just fill it with water and use the straw.
Mio energy – Technically, this won't keep you hydrated because it's full of caffeine, but if you're a caffeine addict like me, this is a convenient way to avoid caffeine withdrawal. Just don't overdo it as caffeine is a diuretic.
Survival straw – Instead of getting a Lifestraw Go, you could get one of these and use it with your collapsible water bottle.
Water purification tablets – It's a good idea to have more than one way to purify water.
Ziploc bags – This isn't for hydration, but for organization. As you build your 72-hour kit, you can keep everything organized by using a variety of Ziploc bags.

By the way, if you have pets and you plan on bugging out to a hotel, make sure to call ahead and find out which hotels accept pets. Having this information ahead of time is very important. Otherwise, you might not be able to find a place to stay.

FOOD AND WATER

Emergency Water Storage

This month, we're going to go over the basics of emergency water storage. Most new preppers think it's enough to buy several cases of bottled water, stack them in a closet or corner somewhere, and forget about them.

The problem is, while a case of water may look like a lot, it really isn't. A large case of water has about 24 16-oz bottles of water, but that's only 3 gallons, which would last one person about 3 days. That's it.

Key Fact to Remember: 1 person requires at least 1 gallon of drinking water per day.

If you're going to store enough water for your entire family, I wouldn't stockpile bottled water. The cost will add up fast, it's difficult to rotate, and it will create a lot of trash.

I'm gonna be honest with you: Stockpiling 3 months of water for your entire family is going to be difficult, if not impossible (depending on how much space you have). If your family has 4 people, then we're talking 360 gallons of water, which is nearly 7 55-gallon barrels.

And that is the bare minimum. You're also going to need water for cooking and cleaning. And if the AC isn't running due to a power outage, you're probably going to drink more water than usual.

I'm not saying you should give up on water storage. You should absolutely store whatever you can, but I'm not going to tell you to stockpile 9 days of water every month like I am with the food. If you have limited space, then at least store 3 days of water each month. By the last month, you'll have 30 days of water, which is still great.

If the disaster lasts longer than 30 days, you'll need to have a plan for where you could collect water and how you would purify it. Is there a local stream or lake you could go to? How would you carry the water back? (I'll go over this in detail in month 8.)

In most disasters, the taps will still be running as long as there's still pressure from the nearest water tower, so you might be okay as long as you have a water filter (like the survival straw or the Lifestraw Go in your bug out bag's hydration kit).

However, you may want to consider a larger water filter such as a Big Berkey Water Filter System (I use mine all the time because it makes the tap water taste better).

Water Storage Containers

As for storing your water, here are some methods you should consider along with the pros and cons of each:

Plastic Water Bottles

I already mentioned these. The good thing about them is they're convenient. Just grab a bottle and drink it. However, this method can be a bit pricey, and the bottles create a lot of trash. Plus, they usually aren't designed for long-term storage, so they could begin to break down and leak.

Used Bottles

Never use old milk jugs for storing water. Even if you clean them out with bleach first, there could still be some milk residue lodged in the plastic which could lead to bacterial growth. Also, the plastic in milk jugs tends to break down quickly, which means you'll have water leaking onto the floor.

Old 2-liter bottles, on the other hand, are a great method for storing water. The plastic is designed to be more durable, and as long as you clean them thoroughly, you shouldn't have to worry about bacterial growth.

Old glass bottles are also a good option. Just don't use anything that used to contain a non-food item.

Stackable Water Containers

These are a great option. You can safely stack them up, and they're very convenient because they usually have a spigot on the front. Here are some good ones.

Water bricks are another great option. These are stackable containers that are shaped more like bricks, so you can store lots of them in tight spaces, such as underneath your bed.

Water Barrels

Water barrels are great as long as you don't mind the price and have a place to put them. However, they cannot be stored indoors. You'll need to place them on solid concrete, such as in your garage or on the front or back porch.

Collapsible Containers

If you live in an apartment or somewhere without a lot of extra space, I'd suggest getting some collapsible water containers. They take up very little space until you actually need them. Then, if a disaster strikes or you know one is about to strike, you can take them out and fill them with up to 5 gallons of water each.

Bathtubs

You may have heard that if a disaster strikes, you should fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water. This is a good idea, but it's possible that your tub isn't fully clean or the drain stopper might not have a perfect seal.

That's why you should also consider getting a WaterBOB. These are collapsible containers that fit inside your bathtub. If a disaster strikes, put it in the tub and fill it with up to 100 gallons of water. You'll know the water is clean and you won't have to worry about it going down the drain.

Using Bleach to Keep Water Clean

Many new preppers neglect this, which is silly because it's easy and doesn't take long. When you stockpile water, there's the chance that bacteria will grow and contaminate it, especially if your water container is hit with direct sunlight.

To prevent bacterial growth, add 5-8 drops of regular unscented bleach per gallon of water. Mix it up and wait 30 minutes. If you can smell the chlorine, you're good. But if you don't smell anything, add a couple more drops of bleach per gallon and wait another 30 minutes.

Key Tip: Add 5-8 drops of regular unscented bleach per gallon of water.

Don't Forget to Rotate Your Water!

Even if you use bleach to keep your water pure, you should still rotate it every 6 months. Just drink the water you've stored and replace it as you drink it.

More Info On Water Storage:

Food and Water Checklist for Month 2

Decide what type of containers you want to use for storing water.
Store at least 2 days of water.
Try some new off-grid recipes.
Choose one recipe and get enough ingredients to make it 8 times.
Stockpile 8 days worth of breakfasts.
Stockpile 8 days worth of lunches.

SKILLS AND SUPPLIES

Home Security

When preparing for a major disaster or long-term crisis, one of the first things you should consider is home security.

Many preppers neglect home security, assuming their alarm system is all they need, but that’s a mistake. If a crisis throws your town or country into chaos, the police will be too busy to protect everyone. It won’t be long before criminals take advantage of the situation.

This month, we're going to cover the basics of home security. If you want, you can dig a lot deeper, but if you at least do what's covered below, your home will already be more secure than 95% of homes, making it much less likely that a burglar will break in.

Home Security Tips

Make Your Home Unappealing to Burglars

Ideally, you want a burglar to look at home your and think, “Breaking in there would be a pain in the ass.” There are a few simple things you can do to achieve this.

For example, you could plant thorny bushes under all of the windows. Roses, blackberry bushes, and porcupine tomato plants can do a lot of damage to someone attempting to get past them.

You should also add some solar-powered, motion-sensor floodlights around your home. Burglars could choose to ignore the lights, but in general, the more light you shine, the less likely they are to break in as they prefer the cover of dark.

Also consider putting up some security cameras. Some people like to put up fake security cameras, but I'm on the fence about this idea. I fear most burglars would be able to recognize fake cameras. I suppose if you can't afford the real thing, fake cameras are better than nothing.

Reinforce Entry Points

Most of us imagine burglars sneaking in through a back window, but oftentimes, they simply kick in the front door. And why not? It's fairly easy to do if you're strong. The front door lock is held in place with a small strike plate and a few screws.

Fortunately, it's easy to reinforce a front or back door. You can replace the screws with longer ones that reach all the way into the studs, and you can get a longer strike plate which will distribute the force of a kick, making it harder to break down the door. There are door reinforcement kits that come with all of these things.

There are several other ways to make your door harder to open such as sliding locks, deadbolts, or a good door wedge or security bar. If burglars can't get one of the doors open, there's a good chance they'll move on to an easier target.

By the way, don't forget about your garage door! Most garage doors—especially automatic garage doors—are shockingly easy to open from the outside. It's possible to get one open in less than a minute using nothing more than a wire hanger. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent this:

The easiest thing is to simply use the deadbolt (if it has one). Just remember that you won't be able to open it from the outside.
You can also cut the handle off of the emergency release cord. This way, you can still pull on the cord if you need to, but someone from outside won't be able to grab it using a wire hanger.
Finally, you can add a board above the garage door, blocking access to the emergency release handle. However, you'll want to make sure the board doesn't stop the garage door from opening.

Secure Windows and Sliding Glass Doors

Make sure all of your windows have sturdy locks. If you can afford it, install hurricane windows as they are very difficult to break. If you can't do that, then at least get some window security film. It makes it a little harder for burglars to get inside, and the longer it takes them to get in, the more likely they are to bail.

Another thing you can do is get battery-powered window alarms. If the window is opened, the alarm emits a loud sound you can hear from far away. Most burglars will simply leave if that happens, but even if they don't, you'll at least get a warning that someone is breaking in. If you're worried about the batteries dying, you can get some rechargeable AAA batteries and a solar battery charger.

And don't forget about your sliding glass door. That should also have security film and an alarm. Additionally, you could get a security bar that makes it impossible to open, even if they get past the lock.

Get a Reliable Security System

Most home security systems are a rip-off. Companies like ADT overcharge and try to get you to purchase extras you don't really need. Fortunately, there are cheaper options such as Simplisafe. No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way. I just think it's a good option if you don't want to spend over $100 a month on a security system.

Simplisafe, and most other security systems, either run on batteries or have a battery backup in case of power outages. However, if there's an extended power outage that lasts days or weeks, the batteries in your security system will die. That's why you should have a plan to recharge batteries or generate power when the grid goes down, but we'll talk about that more in Month 7.

Another option is to create some DIY trip wire alarms. While these won't do much to deter burglars, they'll at least alert you, giving you time to either leave the house or prepare to defend yourself.

Consider Getting a Dog

If there's a dangerous-sounding dog inside your home, many burglars won't bother trying to break in. Even if they aren't afraid of being bitten, they may be worried that the dog will attract attention. Some great dog breeds for home security include Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Doberman pinschers.

Just remember that if you get a dog, you'll need to stock up on food and water for it. Also, if you live somewhere that gets very warm in the summer, be sure to get a short-haired dog. Otherwise, they'll be miserable if the power is out and there's no AC for a long time.

Put Up Signs

If you get a dog, you could put up some Beware of Dog signs. Or even if you don't get a dog, put one up anyway. It will make some burglars think twice.

You could also put up signs saying your home is protected by a home security system (even if it isn't), or you could put up a Neighborhood Watch sign. Again, it's all about convincing would-be burglars that your home isn't worth the trouble.

Protect Your Most Valuable Items

Keep your most valuable items somewhere that's either hard to find or difficult to open, such as a security safe—especially one that's bolted to the floor. Obviously, you can't fit all of your emergency supplies inside a safe, but you could at least keep some cash, weapons, precious metals, important documents, critical medications, etc. in there.

This might sound silly, but you should consider getting a decoy safe. Just buy a small safe and put a little bit of cash and fake jewelry inside. If burglars find it, they'll assume they've found your only safe and stop looking.

You could also create some secret hiding places around your home that no one will find. A really easy hiding spot is behind an air intake vent, although many burglars might think to check there. Another idea is to create a fake electrical outlet and hide some things inside the wall behind it.

Or you could put things in a place no one would think to look, such as the bottom of a hamper full of clothes, inside a cereal box, or buried inside a container full of laundry detergent. If you're creative, there are all sorts of places where you could hide some cash, weapons, and other important items. Just don't forget where you hid them!

Home Security Drill

Despite all of your precautions, it's still possible that a burglar could get into your home, and everyone in your family needs to know what to do in that scenario. To make sure everyone is prepared, you should run a home security drill.

Here's what to do:

Plan the Scenario – Choose a specific scenario, like a break-in while you're asleep or an attempted entry while you're home. Decide on the roles each family member will play (who calls the police, who gets the firearm, who hides, etc.).
Announce the Drill – Let everyone know when the drill will start. For realism, you can surprise them with an unannounced drill (as long as you explained the procedure in advance).
Simulate the Threat – Pretend there's an intruder. For example, someone could knock on the door or try to “break in” through a window.
Respond Accordingly – Lock doors and windows, turn on exterior lights if it's nighttime, pretend to call 911, practice alerting household members with a pre-arranged signal, go to the safe room or evacuate the home, etc.
Regroup and Assess – After the drill, gather everyone to discuss how it went. Identify any weaknesses like delays, forgotten steps, or communication issues.
Review and Improve – Make any necessary adjustments to your security plan. Make sure everyone understands the changes.
Repeat Regularly – Conduct these drills at least twice per year to make sure everyone will be ready.

More Info on Home Security

Weapons

If you don't already have one, you should seriously consider getting a firearm. If a criminal is attacking you, a bullet is easily the most effective way to stop them, no matter how much bigger or stronger they are. Firearms are also useful for hunting, which may or may not be an option, depending on where you live.

Firearms

There are three main types of firearms to consider: handguns, shotguns, and rifles.

Handguns

Handguns are small and designed to work with one hand, although you should use two hands. They include revolvers and pistols, the latter of which is better for self-defense because it can hold more bullets and it's easier to reload.

They're great for self-defense because you can conceal them until you need them, and you can quickly draw and use them in close-quarters situations. However, they generally have less stopping power than a shotgun or rifle, which means it could take several shots to stop an attacker.

They're also less accurate at longer distances, making them difficult for hunting. A handgun can take down small to medium-sized game, but you might not be able to get close enough to hit anything.

Rifles

Rifles are long guns designed to be held with both hands and braced against the shoulder. They range from small-caliber hunting rifles to high-powered military-style rifles.

They have the best accuracy at long distances, and they have great stopping power, making them great for defending property from a distance. However, they're less maneuverable in close-quarters, and in residential areas, the bullet could pass through walls and hit an unintended target.

Rifles are ideal for hunting and can take down any animal, from deer to bears, depending on the caliber. If you plan to use it for hunting, you'll want to get a good scope as well.

Shotguns

Shotguns are designed to fire several types of ammunition, from solid slugs to small pellets (called “shot”). They're very versatile and often used for hunting birds or small game. However, they're less effective at longer distances, unless you're using slugs.

Shotguns are good for home defense because it's easy to hit your target, and you should be able to stop them with a single shot. The main downside is that they're less reliable from a distance, and the recoil can be too much for small or inexperienced shooters.

What To Get?

The type of firearm you get depends on what you want to use it for. I'm not going to recommend any specific models because it just depends on you, your budget, and what you're comfortable with.

If you're new to firearms but want to learn more, check out this beginner's guide to guns. Whatever type of firearm you choose, be sure to stock up on plenty of ammo. There could come a time when ammunition is difficult to find or extremely expensive.

Ammunition Storage

Most ammunition will last 10 years or longer. However, eventually it will degrade due to things like humidity, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to corrosive elements. If you want to make sure your ammunition lasts, follow these guidelines:

Use Ammo Cans – Ammo cans are designed to hold ammunition long-term. They have rubber gaskets that keep them airtight and watertight.
Use Desiccants – These are also known as silica gel packs. They're the little packets that you see in a box of new shoes. Just throw a few into the ammo can with your ammo, and they'll absorb humidity in the air.
Keep The Temperature Stable – Don't store your ammo in sheds, attics, garages, or anywhere the temperature goes up and down throughout the year. The more stable the temperature, the longer your ammo will list. Keep it somewhere cool, like the back of a closet.

Gun Safety and Training

If you decide to purchase a firearm, you need to memorize and follow the NRA gun safety rules:

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot
ALWAYS Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use

Almost every shooting accident happens because someone wasn't following one of these rules. No matter how certain you are that a gun isn't loaded, keep it pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger. Don't load it until you're ready to shoot.

Those are the three most important rules, but there are some additional rules you should learn:

Know your target and what is beyond it.
Know how to use the gun safely.
Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Never use alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, or prescription drugs before or while shooting.
Store guns so they are not accessible to children.

I'm not going to get into how to load and use a firearm. A lot depends on what type of firearm you have. Besides, simply reading about it wouldn't be very helpful. It's much better to learn from a teacher.

That's why I highly recommend finding a local class. There are online classes, but it's better to find an in-person teacher who can show you how to properly hold and use your firearm. This site will help you find a local shooting class.

Non-Lethal Weapons

If you aren't comfortable with firearms, you should still get some kind of weapon for self defense. There are plenty of options to choose from including batons, tactical pens, etc. However, I would go with one of these:

Kubotan – This is short, thick tool made from a strong material such as metal. You grip it and strike with either end. A kubotan can do much more damage than a fist, hurting the attacker and giving you a chance to escape.
Pepper Spray – This is probably the best option for most people. It's easy to use, and it will hurt your attacker's eyes and nose so much that you should have time to get away.
Stun Gun – If pepper spray doesn't stop your attacker, a stun gun will. It delivers an electric shock that can knock down pretty much anybody. I recommend a flashlight stun gun. Just remember to keep it charged. The main downside is that you have to be next to your attacker. If you prefer to hit them from a distance, you should get a…
Taser – This devices shoots probes that deliver electrical pulses, knocking an attacker to the ground. It's become become very popular with police because it's effective and non-lethal (in most cases). Keep in mind that you only get one shot before you have to reload it.

More Info on Weapons:

Safety and Self Defense

The are entire books and courses on how to stay safe and defend yourself during an urban crisis. A good example is Street Survival Skills by Fernando “Ferfal” Aguirre. But for now, we're just going to cover the basics. Understanding and practicing these tactics will vastly increase your chances of surviving a disaster in the city.

OPSEC (Operational Security)

OPSEC is a military term that stands for “operational security.” The idea is to prevent your enemies from knowing too much about you. If you're in a war with another country, you don't want them to know too much about your troops, weapons, technological capabilities, etc. Operational security is about keeping those things a secret.

Keep Your Mouth Shut

When it comes to prepping, operational security is about keeping your supplies and abilities a secret from others. The more people know that you have extra food, the more likely it is that some of them will show up at your door after the shit hits the fan.

I'm not saying you shouldn't give food to your friends and family. If they're starving, go ahead and feed them. But for now, don't tell them how much you have. Encourage them to prepare for a disaster, but tell them you only have a few extra days worth of food.

If you tell them you're working on building a 3-month supply of food, one of them might tell a friend or coworker, and next thing you know, there'll be dozens or even hundreds of people who know you have extra food. The last thing you want is a mob at your door when people are starving.

That's why I often say that the first rule of prepping is: You do not talk about prepping!

By the way, that includes social media. Don't make posts bragging about your food, supplies, weapons, garden, etc. Even casual mentions of your interest in preparedness could compromise your operational security.

Keep Your Supplies Hidden

This should be common sense, but I'll say it anyway: If you have company over, or if a repairman or another stranger is in the house, don't leave your survival gear and emergency supplies out where everyone can see them. Keep them in a closet or storage room.

Also, be careful about bringing supplies into your home. Don't let your neighbors see you carrying huge buckets labeled “Emergency Food” on the side. The same goes for any other emergency supplies. If there's any chance that your neighbors are watching, put it in an unlabeled box or bag. And if you're growing a large garden in your backyard, use tall fences or hedges to make it harder to see.

Don't Attract Attention

OPSEC is even more important after a disaster strikes. If you're living through a famine, you need to be careful what you cook and what ingredients you use. Don't cook outdoors, and when you cook, don't use a lot of seasonings. Your neighbors might realize you have more food than everyone else just from the smells coming from your home at dinnertime.

If you're living through a long-term blackout, don't use any more light than you have to. If you're in the one house on the street that always has lots of light in the windows, people are going to realize you have plenty of supplies. Stick with dim lamps, flashlights, headlamps, etc. And even then, use blackout curtains to ensure there's no light coming from your windows.

The same goes for sound. If you have radios and televisions, keep the volume low. In general, you want to look like you're as bad off as everyone else in the neighborhood. Otherwise, even people who used to be upstanding citizens could become burglars breaking into your home.

Gray Man Tactics

Gray man tactics and OPSEC are similar in that they're both about minimizing the amount of attention you draw to yourself. But with gray man tactics, it's about how you appear when you're out in public.

If you're going through a major disaster or long-term crisis, you don't want to wear camouflage pants, a belt with tools and weapons, and a tactical bag that is obviously full of emergency supplies. If you do that, you're bound to get mugged. Instead, you want to look just like everyone else.

Here are some do's and don'ts.

DO:

Wear Neutral Colors – You don't have to literally wear gray clothing. Jeans and a plain T-shirt are perfect.
Keep Valuables Hidden – If you have anything expensive with you, try to keep it hidden. Cargo pants or shorts could help with this.
Walk Like Everyone Else – Walking slower or faster than the average person makes you stand out.

DON'T:

Wear a Hat – Most people don't wear hats, so neither should you. Anything that makes you more noticeable is a problem.
Make Eye Contact – This doesn't mean you should keep your head down. It just means you shouldn't look anyone in the eye unless you're talking to them. If you look a stranger in the eye, there's a chance they won't like the way you looked at them and will target you.
Talk Loudly – If you have to speak, use a normal volume. Don't sound happy or excited. Instead, be boring.

Basically, you want to be the average of every other person out in public. Dress and and act like they do. This way, you're less likely to be noticed and therefore less likely to be targeted. If you want to learn more tips, check out the list of articles at the end of this section, or read Gray Man: Camouflage for Crowds, Cities, and Civil Crisis.

Situational Awareness

During a long-term crisis such as a Great Depression, all types of crimes—especially theft—will rise. In order to lower your odds of being mugged, you should start practicing situational awareness.

What is situational awareness? It's being mindful of your environment and quickly recognizing and processing information about what's going on around you. In other words, being fully aware of your surroundings at all times.

Use Your Eyes

When you're walking down the street, avoid distractions. Don't look at your phone or listen to music. Keep your head up and look around. Notice any people who look suspicious or out of place. Is their body language relaxed? Or do they appear tense, like they're waiting for something to happen? Can you see both of their hands? If not, could they be concealing a weapon?

Take note of any spots like doorways, shadowy areas, or parked cars behind which a mugger could be hiding. Use windows and other reflective surfaces to notice if someone is following or sneaking up on you. Look for escape routes in case you need to run from a dangerous group or get away quickly after fighting off an attacker.

Use Your Ears

And don't just use your vision. Use all of your senses, especially your hearing. You should always be listening for anything out of the ordinary.

Are the people nearby having ordinary conversations, or are they suspiciously quiet? If you hear footsteps behind you, are they getting faster or heavier, as if someone is trying to catch up to you? From which direction do you hear the most noise or traffic? Because that might be the best direction to go as people are less likely to chase you into a place with lots of witnesses.

And don't wait until the next disaster to start using your eyes and ears—start practicing right now. Make situational awareness a habit.

Avoid Dangerous Areas

This should be common sense, but I'm gonna say it anyway: Avoid going to or through places that are potentially dangerous or known for having lots of crime.

If you notice that you're entering an area that is dimly-lit or sparsely-populated, try to find another way to reach your destination. Choose a route with more people and plenty of lighting. Muggers prefer to attack people when they're alone, and they're more likely to do it in shadowy places with lots of hiding spots.

Trust Your Gut

You also need to listen to your instincts. Oftentimes, your subconscious can pick up on cues that your conscious mind hasn't processed yet. So even if a place has lots of people and good lighting, if you still have a bad feeling, just turn around and leave.

We've barely scratched the surface of this topic, so if you want to learn more, check out The Book on Situational Awareness by Matt P. Kelly. Start practicing every time you're in public so you'll be ready when disaster strikes.

How to Survive a Mugging

If you've done everything right but you still get harassed or mugged, here's what to do:

Avoid Escalation

If someone is harassing you and you suspect they might try to mug you, try not to escalate the situation, no matter how angry or afraid you are. Escalate only when it's absolutely necessary.

Give Them What They Want

Your life is worth more than your wallet. As long as you give them what they ask for, most muggers will take it and run away. Consider carrying a dummy wallet and put a little bit of cash and fake credit cards inside. By the time they realize, you'll have gotten away.

What If Someone Tries to Hurt or Abduct You?

In countries that went through a major economic collapse (such as Venezuela or Argentina), abductions became much more common because criminals would demand ransom from families in exchange for the abductee. But oftentimes, the abductee wouldn't survive.

If someone is attempting to abduct you, or if you believe they're going to hurt or kill you, there are a few things you should do:

Use Your Voice

Sometimes, your voice can be your most powerful weapon. Shouting “Back off!” or “Help!” can draw attention to your situation, and it could make the attacker think twice about whether you're worth the trouble.

Fight Back

If you're carrying a firearm or some other weapon such as pepper spray or a kubotan, now is the time to use it. Use your weapon on them, then run away as quickly as you can.

Be Brutal. Gouge their eyes, hit them in the throat, knee them in the groin—whatever it takes to incapacitate them so you have a chance to escape.

Learn to Break Free

If the attacker is holding you, there are some maneuvers you can use to break free.

If They Grabbed Your Wrist: The weakest spot in the attacker's grip is their thumb. Rotate your wrist toward their thumb, then yank your hand away from the gap between their thumb and fingers.
If They Have You In a Bear Hug: Drop your weight suddenly to make it harder for them to maintain their grip or lift you. Then, use your elbows to strike backward into their sides or stomach, or stomp on their feet until they let go.

Self-Defense Classes

Please note that the information above is just a brief glimpse into the world of self-defense techniques. To fully understand how to defend yourself in an urban survival scenario, you should take a class. There are classes online, but it's better if you learn in person so an instructor can show you if you're doing anything wrong.

I recommend finding a local Krav Maga class. Krav Maga was developed for the Israeli military and it focuses on real-world situations, teaching you how to prevent and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks. It's great for people of all ages.

Riots and Civil Unrest

Note: Before I start this section, I want to urge you to get a paper map of your town and keep it in your vehicle. During a major crisis, the Internet and GPS may not work, and you'll need to know how to find your way while avoiding riots and various choke points.

When a country is in a state of collapse, civil unrest becomes a part of everyday life. People will be angry with whoever is in power at the time, so they'll gather at city hall, in public parks, outside government buildings, and sometimes they'll even block traffic. If the police show up to arrest these people, it could turn violent. In some cases, there could be full-scale riots.

Avoid Them If You Can

You must do everything you can to avoid riots. Even if you don't get hurt, you could get arrested even if you had nothing to do with it. So here are some things to do ahead of time.

Plan Multiple Routes – Study your map and learn all the different ways you could get to and from your destination.

Check the News – Look at local Facebook groups or local news pages. If you don't have Internet, check the radio. Try to find out if there are any protests or riots going on. If so, make sure you don't go anywhere near them, even if that means taking the long way home. Or just stay where you are until it's over.

What If You're Caught In A Riot?

If a riot breaks out in your area, you need to get away as quickly as possible. Here are a few guidelines:

Stay Calm and Keep Moving – Panicking will only make things worse. Recognize that you're very like to be okay as long as you calmly move toward safety.

Avoid Confrontation – The last thing you want to do is get in a fight with protestors or law enforcement. Don't talk to anyone, remain neutral, and keep heading toward a safer area.

Try To Blend In – If there are bystanders or people moving away from the area, try to blend in with them until you have a chance to escape. You don't want to look like you're part of the riot or protest.

Avoid Bottlenecks – As you leave, try to avoid alleyways, subways, or tunnels where crowds could get jammed. Instead, choose an escape route that's more wide open, even if it means taking the long way out. Also, stick to the edge of the crowd so you're less likely to get trapped.

Get Indoors – If there's nowhere to go, at least try to get indoors, whether it's a store or the lobby of an apartment building. If it's somewhere you can lock or barricade the door, even better. Stay away from the windows and wait there until the riot is over.

Drive Slowly – If you're in a car, you might be tempted to floor it, but if you do that, you could accidentally crash or run over somebody. And if you run over someone, angry protestors could drag you out of your vehicle. Just move along with the crowd until you have a chance to exit the area.

More Info on Safety & Self-Defense:

Skills and Supplies Checklist for Month 2

Work on making your home unappealing to burglars.
Reinforce your front and backdoor.
Secure your windows and sliding glass doors.
Consider getting a good security system.
Consider getting a dog if you don't have one.
Protect and hide your most valuable items.
Consider getting a firearm and taking a shooting class.
Consider getting non-lethal weapons.
Practice OPSEC when prepping.
Practice gray man tactics in public.
Practice situational awareness in public.
Consider taking a self-defense class.
Get a paper map and keep it in your vehicle.
Set aside $40 cash.

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