While urban preparedness requires a certain state of readiness, many of us find it hard to switch off. Media consumption, planning, and training all contribute to the success of the day - but like a TV that's always on, burnout becomes a very real possibility. When planning for the long haul, don't forget the preventative maintenance. A little really does go a long way.  NOTHING COMES FOR FREE  Urban reparedness looks a little different for everyone, but no matter the 'apocalypse', there will always be a cost. Time, energy, money, focus - there's no way to avoid it. But there comes ..read more

In the opening moments of disaster, calculation often goes out the window. This may drive us to recognize the necessities of our plans but lose sight of critical details, such as what we have, what we need, and most importantly, where to go next. While planning is a critical component of urban preparedness - allowing us to rehearse and default - there's no better plan than the one we've mapped out. When in doubt, 'X' marks the spot. Out and About Natural disaster or otherwise, there are a number of reasons why bugging out may be required. While GPS has simplified navigation at large, a tactil ..read more

While long-term food supplies seem to capture our hearts, many don't sufficiently plan for what is required inside of a year. It's easy to get carried away with our short-term selection, but the problem with non-perishable food like canned goods, is that we tend to contribute just a little too much to landfill. So how do we buck this trend when prepping for events like job loss or natural disaster? We plan our urban preparedness pantry around our daily menu.  Keeping it Real What's good on paper from a preparedness standpoint, may not always be what's good for us. Low-acidity c ..read more

We've all encountered a locked barrier at some point in our lives. Locked keys in the car? Call roadside assistance. Late night as a teen? There's a basement window for that. At the end of the day, these are all easy fixes with ample opportunity. But in a disaster scenario where self-rescue is required - and a locked door may hold you or your loved ones firmly in harm's way - a heavy-handed solution may be the only way to safety. If a lockpick or hard kick won't clear a path, perhaps it's time to knock a little louder. Enter the SHTF shotgun. Where it Fits During and urban disaster a little p ..read more

For most of us, preparedness is a theoretical solution to a possible outcome. It requires us to work the problem with a hope and a prayer, but with the understanding that we may be called upon in some manner of scale. Priorities differ for us all, but no matter your 'apocalypse' it's important to leave a little flex. Disasters are rarely as expected, and they don't much care for rigid plans. Rain on my Parade There was an odd hiss coming from beyond my idle headphones. Something that I couldn't quite place. Slowly pulling the headphones from my head, the sound appeared to fill the room. With ..read more

There's no denying the importance of first aid in urban preparedness. Whether a small cut or something worth a call, having the tools to contend with a medical emergency cannot not be understated. But when we push into the dark corners of prolonged disaster, the realities of first aid can become a hard pill to swallow. Tourniquets and bandages be damned, the truth is rather grim. A Whole New World While an individual first aid kit (IFAK) can make or break survival in the best of times, many of us prepare for what's beyond. In a true SHTF scenario, emergency services would become nothing more ..read more

When met with a high-stress situation, we tend to get a little reptilian in thinking. Stress inoculation and training can take the edge off the action, but trying to recall a world of information is a whole other animal. Detailed plans, instructions, and lists can account for thousands of datapoints - information that is easily be forgotten and lost in the grey. When the details of urban survival are absolute, an educated guess can become a gamble. For pilots and other high performers, there's an easy way to hedge those bets. Make sure it's written down. Keep it Small Now I know this seems aw ..read more

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered." - Japanese proverb During a period of civil unrest, you're either a number or a target. No matter how well equipped you or your small group may be for conflict, full battle rattle is going to draw a world of unwanted attention from the hoods and have-nots. That overt plate carrier and camo you're wearing? The city will eventually swallow you whole, thinking you're another cop, criminal, or cash machine. But at what point does our affinity for load bearing equipment or camo become a liability in urban preparedness? With big city problems, I figure ..read more

A Knife is Never Shown - Only Felt ..read more

The winner is usually determined by the person who "brings the mostest the fastest ..read more