Urban Preppers: How To Survive In The Concrete Jungle

Urban prepping, also known as urban preparedness, refers to the practice of preparing for potential emergencies, disasters, or societal disruptions that may occur in urban or suburban environments. Urban prepping involves taking proactive steps to ensure that you and your family have the necessary resources, skills, and knowledge to stay safe, secure, and self-sufficient during times of crisis.

Urban prepping involves preparing for potential scenarios such as natural disasters, power outages, civil unrest, or economic instability. Common urban prepping strategies include building an emergency kit, stockpiling food and water, securing your home, learning self-defense skills, and developing an emergency communication plan with your family and friends.

Urban Preppers Challenges

Urban prepping can present some unique challenges when compared to prepping in rural or wilderness environments. Here are some of the challenges that preppers may encounter when it comes to urban prepping:

• Limited storage space: Urban living spaces may have limited storage space, which can make it challenging to stockpile supplies such as food, water, and emergency equipment.
• Limited access to natural resources: Unlike rural or wilderness environments, urban environments may not have access to natural resources such as clean water, wild edibles, or game animals.
• Increased reliance on technology: Urban preppers may need to rely more heavily on technology for communication, navigation, and accessing information, making it important to have backup power sources and knowledge of manual communication and navigation methods.
• Greater vulnerability to social disruptions: Urban environments may be more vulnerable to social disruptions such as riots, looting, and civil unrest, making it important to have self-defence skills and secure your home.
• Increased risk of exposure to illness: Urban environments may present a higher risk of exposure to illnesses due to the density of the population and increased reliance on public transportation.
• Increased regulatory restrictions: Urban areas may have more restrictive laws and regulations around prepping, making it important to research and understand local laws before engaging in prepping activities.

Despite these challenges, urban prepping is still possible and important for ensuring the safety and security of yourself and your loved ones during emergencies or disasters. By adapting prepping strategies to fit the unique challenges of urban environments, like creating a city bug out or even just a survival bag, preppers in the UK can better prepare themselves for unexpected challenges and increase their chances of survival in emergency situations.

Basic Urban Prepping Plan

Creating an urban prepping plan for survival involves several key steps that range from assessment and planning to acquiring supplies and training. The following is a basic outline to guide you:

• Assess Risks and Needs: Identify potential risks in your urban environment. This could include natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and storms, as well as man-made threats like civil unrest, terrorist attacks, or utility failures.
• Build an Emergency Contact List: A list of family, friends, and emergency services with phone numbers and addresses. Establish a plan for how to communicate and where to meet in case of an emergency.
• Emergency Fund: Keep some cash in small denominations, as ATMs and card payments may not be available.
• Food and Water: Minimum of 72 hours worth of non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day). Consider long-term food storage solutions if space permits.
• Shelter and Warmth: Keep emergency blankets, sleeping bags, and perhaps a compact tent. Know the location of potential shelters in your area like community centres, schools, or churches.
• First Aid and Medical: Basic first aid kit and a supply of necessary prescription medications.
• Tools and Supplies: Multi-tool, flashlights, portable stove, duct tape, and other handy tools.
• Personal Protection: Items like pepper spray, air horns, or self-defence training can be useful.
• Communication: Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for news. Portable phone charger for maintaining contact.
• Documentation: Copies of important documents like IDs, insurance policies, and medical records, either physical copies or securely stored in digital form.
• Mobility: A “bug-out bag” ready with essentials in case you need to evacuate. Maps and plans for alternative routes out of the city.
• Skills and Training: Basic survival skills such as how to purify water, basic first aid, how to start a fire, etc.
• Monitor and Update: Regularly update your supplies and review your plan. Check the expiration dates on food, water, and medical supplies.
• Community Networking: Get to know your neighbours and community. Consider joining or forming a community emergency response team (CERT).
• Pets and Dependents: Include plans and supplies for any pets or people who depend on you.

Each of these steps can be adapted to fit your specific needs and circumstances. Regularly review and practice your plan so that you are ready to act when an emergency occurs.

Urban Preppers Food Storage

When urban prepping, it is important to stockpile food that is non-perishable, easy to store, and provides the necessary nutrients to sustain you during an emergency. This is extremely important when it is not just you, but you have to think for your loved ones especially when prepping with children. Here are some examples of food items that are good to store when urban prepping:

• Canned foods: Canned foods such as fruits, vegetables, soups, and meats are great options for urban prepping. They have a long shelf life and are easy to store.
• Dried foods: Dried foods such as pasta, rice, beans, and jerky are also good options for prepping. They have a long shelf life and are easy to store in airtight containers.
• Freeze-dried foods: Freeze-dried foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats are lightweight, have a long shelf life, and are easy to store.
• Nut butter: Nut butter such as peanut butter or almond butter is high in protein, has a long shelf life, and is easy to store.
• Energy bars: Energy bars are a convenient and nutritious option for prepping. They are lightweight, have a long shelf life, and provide a quick source of energy.
• Powdered milk: Powdered milk is a good source of calcium and protein, and has a long shelf life. It can be used for cooking, baking, or as a milk substitute.
• Multivitamins: Multivitamins can help ensure that you are getting the necessary vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy during an emergency.

It is important to rotate your food supplies regularly to ensure that they remain fresh and to avoid waste. Additionally, make sure to store your food in a cool, dry place and keep it away from pests and other contaminants.

Urban Preppers FAQs