Urban Survival Manual, any ideas?

[Icemancometh]

I, like many I suppose, have been watching The Colony on the Discovery Channel. It has made me wonder if there is a single reference source that would cover all or most areas of urban survival. I am referring to things like the colonists have encountered, like setting up alternate energy sources, communications, water and food procurement, medical issues, etc. I have many survival manuals, but don’t have anything that deals with a more urban type of scenario. I am looking for something that has details, details, and more details. I currently live on the outskirts of a large metropolis and feel I am more likely to find myself in an urban survival situation. I feel my wilderness skills are adequate and I always carry a wilderness kit when I hunt or hike. I am sure some of the wilderness skills can translate to an urban setting. I have seen books on Amazon by Ragnar Benson (sp) but haven’t had a chance to look through one. Any ideas on this type of material?

[pocomoonskyeyes]

I don't know of any manuals/books that are currently out there, but could be a marketable idea.

[Winnie]

Here you go, proper Job!

http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Survival...2694966&sr=8-3

[RichJ]

For me urban survival is all about how to survive long enough to get out of a city, not stay there any length of time. I wouldn't think it would take longer than a couple of days to get out of any major city; at least as far as the burbs where things may be a little calmer. If the SHTF I want to get as far away from a big city as I can get. That's where the crime and misery and lack of resources will be.

[Rick]

What do you base that assessment on? Even NO had limited issues and that was a worst case scenario if ever there was one. The Dome and some isolated pockets. But that's true for any city on any given day.

(And I'll bet if some folks in the dome had weapons that crap would have stopped, too.)

[NightShade]

check out Tom Brown's Field Guide to Urban Survival... good book! it's one of many in his field guide to survival series

[Icemancometh]

check out Tom Brown's Field Guide to Urban Survival... good book! it's one of many in his field guide to survival series

I just reserved that along with a Cody Lundin book and a book called "When Technology Fails". The latter seems like it might have the info I am looking for. It looks like it covers alot of info. I will give a review after I take a look at it if anyone is interested.

[SARKY]

I am in the process of writing a book on urban survival, i am taking it in a new direction starting with evaluating the building you are in for both enviromental factors and defendability. With some recipies for the other white meats. and ending with either getting out of dodge or establishing your own domain.

[Rick]

I don't know how you could make today's buildings defendable with sheetrock and brick veneer between you and them. Without substantial modifications.

[catfish10101]

What do you base that assessment on? Even NO had limited issues and that was a worst case scenario if ever there was one. The Dome and some isolated pockets. But that's true for any city on any given day.

(And I'll bet if some folks in the dome had weapons that crap would have stopped, too.)

Rick, trust me when I say that most of the country has no idea what went on in NO after Katrina, and I agree that getting out is the best policy. The dome was a complete disaster, the town was in a state of hell like never seen before. Murders went unreported. Looting was not enough so armed robbery, and worse took over (all went unreported). After all, those who remained in NO had no police to worry about for several days. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY "GET OUT!!!"

[RichJ]

What do you base that assessment on? Even NO had limited issues and that was a worst case scenario if ever there was one. The Dome and some isolated pockets. But that's true for any city on any given day.

(And I'll bet if some folks in the dome had weapons that crap would have stopped, too.)

You talkin to me?

I base that on the fact that when supply trucks stop rolling, people are going to need things that they can't get. Too many people with too limited supplies will mean chaos. NO had limited issues because 95% percent of the people were smart enough to get out first, so the city was mostly empty to start with. I wouldn't consider NO a worst case scenario anyway due to the fact that most people did get out. It was worst case for the city yes, but not for the people. A few thousand people were without food and water for a few days, big deal. The people who were left were too stupid to know you could start a fire and boil some of that water or collect it from a hot water heater. For me a true worst case scenario is when the New Madrid finaly gives it up and 3,000,000+ people are without power, water, and food for weeks/months on end. Imagine what St. Louis or Memphis will be like. I wouldn't want to be in either of those cities. Urban survival in that case would mean to get out of town quick.

[Winnie]

You talkin to me?

I base that on the fact that when supply trucks stop rolling, people are going to need things that they can't get. Too many people with too limited supplies will mean chaos. NO had limited issues because 95% percent of the people were smart enough to get out first, so the city was mostly empty to start with. I wouldn't consider NO a worst case scenario anyway due to the fact that most people did get out. It was worst case for the city yes, but not for the people. A few thousand people were without food and water for a few days, big deal. The people who were left were too stupid to know you could start a fire and boil some of that water or collect it from a hot water heater. For me a true worst case scenario is when the New Madrid finaly gives it up and 3,000,000+ people are without power, water, and food for weeks/months on end. Imagine what St. Louis or Memphis will be like. I wouldn't want to be in either of those cities. Urban survival in that case would mean to get out of town quick.

What if for some reson you can't? For me the thought of being prepared for just one type of situation leaves me cold.

[NightShade]

I am in the process of writing a book on urban survival, i am taking it in a new direction starting with evaluating the building you are in for both enviromental factors and defendability. With some recipies for the other white meats. and ending with either getting out of dodge or establishing your own domain.

Let me know when you finish... or if you'd like a proofreader for a rough draft... I'm definetly interested!!

[NightShade]

I don't know how you could make today's buildings defendable with sheetrock and brick veneer between you and them. Without substantial modifications.

I think the key is picking a better built building... while many buildings are built that way many others are built a lot tougher..

[Rick]

Thanks, Rich. I agree, New Madrid is an unprecedented disaster waiting to happen. Much like Yellowstone, I'm afraid. One of my GGGGG grand uncles was one of two Baptist preachers that went to New Madrid to help baptize folks immediately after the quake. The story is listed in the book, Harvest Time on the Prairie.

I guess my reference to worst case was for the people that were left. I sure have no argument with your description of what they could have done. And I don't mean to minimize the impact or the dangers. My only point is there are dangerous places in my city that I avoid today. I'd avoid them after a disaster as well. Animals generally operate in a territory and people/animals are no different. For the most part, they will stay where they know but expand their perimeter. IMHO.

[SARKY]

Nightshade, I'll keep you in mind
Rick, the concept is to evaluate your building and determine wether you should /could harden it or wether to pick a different building to occupy.

[oldsoldier]

I don't know how you could make today's buildings defendable with sheetrock and brick veneer between you and them. Without substantial modifications.

Rick a local company offers a "spray in" insulation that fills the entire wall cavity. and hardens to quote " an extremely tough inner liner" something like that in addition to masonry exterior may help to slow or stop some penetration from less than "point blank" rounds.

[BENESSE]

Having contemplated this topic from NYC is how I stumbled into this forum.
I've done a lot of research since then and with the help of some members here I've become better prepared than I was before. Certainly more knowledgeable
about my own predicament.

I can say one things for certain.
Staying put and surviving in a large city is possible only if you band with enough like minded people to be able to share your resources and watch each others' butts. That beats becoming a refugee and trying to survive on the road with zillion other people.
I know the city, I don't know the burbs and trails.
For now, I feel more comfortable with sticking to what I know.
That's not to say that I'm not prepared to bail out if I have to.
It just wouldn't be my first choice at this point.

[SARKY]

BENESSE, I have found that the most difficult part is the finding of like minded people before TSHTF, OH, they all become converts afterward! The second most difficult part is the storing of provisions (just never enough room)(I'm talking city dwelling here) One thing I do reccomend is having plenty of cash on hand in small denominations. When the runn on food starts, who ever has the cash in hand is going to get it. You don't want to waste time running to an ATM that might not even be working.

[oly]

Here's some reading for ya. This State believes in preparing and few actually practices it or just think it will never happen to them.

http://beready.utah.gov/family/index.html