How To Put Together A Realistic Urban Survival Kit

How To Put Together A Realistic Urban Survival Kit. Photo – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyXbLuXS7zU

Having a survival kit will make your life a lot easier during a critical situation. In this video, Weekend Wanderer shows us what is inside his urban survival kit.

Many people feel that putting together a survival kit is a waste of their time because nothing bad has ever happened to them… however this is the worst thinking when it comes to survival. No one can ever be overly prepared for an emergency. The contents of survival kits will vary depending on the area of the country, the location, and the purpose. For example, a kit for someone living on a rural area will differ from a kit for someone in an urban area. However, there are some basic items that are universal like water bottles and purifier, non-perishable foods, pocket knife or tool, first aid items, whistle, etc.

The idea here is to tailor-fit your survival kit to your immediate needs. When planning what to include in your kit, consider the following urban survival scenarios:

1. There is probably less need for emergency shelter as there should be many buildings around and debris available to make a shelter if needed.

2. Broken glass, toxic smoke and dust are likely hazards. A respirator should be considered an urban survival essential – ideally the type that processes chemicals as well as particulates. Basic dust masks may be helpful but not in the same league as the classic 3M Reusable Respirator. Check out also the cartridges that go with it. This 3M P100 Respirator Cartridge is “NIOSH approved against certain organic vapors, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, and non-oil and oil particulates”. Potential life saver!

3. Increased likelihood of opportunities to scavenge water and food from abandoned buildings. I don’t mean to encourage looting but it is inevitable that this is what people would do if their survival depended on it.

4. Roads may be blocked. A car may be stuck or gridlocked. A bicycle or e-bike would give you far greater options in terms of being able to cross the city. It’s also quiet and a bicycle does not need fuel. A good mountain bike is gold if SHTF.

5. It’s highly likely that you will have to deal with humans. Some may be useful allies but desperate people can be dangerous so give this due consideration and protect yourself.

In my opinion, knowledge and skills should be obtained before going out and spending a ton of money on survival gear. No kit can ever replace good old-fashioned knowledge and training but having your kit is also an important part of the preparedness equation.

Ok, here’s the video: