In cities where buildings can collapse, drainage systems can go out of hand, and desperate populations are vying for limited resources, the only way to get through it all seems to be in getting out. It may sound easier said than done, because getting out of an urban jungle requires ultimate survival skills and a will that will never give up.
Staying put in your house, if by some miracle it still stands after a horrific hurricane or a terrible earthquake, is simply out of the question.
Yes, you may be prepared for that extent of disaster. There may be enough food in your pantry to last you and your family for a month. But you should never forget that, in urban disasters, the number one danger is not running out of food and starving, but the fact that misery and shock can force humans to take desperate measures – and this will definitely involve looting and killing.
To get out, you will need to learn essential urban skills that will help you every step of the way.
5 Urban Survival Skills to Learn
The primary skill you need to develop in order to survive an apocalyptic aftermath is the art of adapting. Disasters will throw you so far off your comfort zone that the initial shock of waking up to a whole new world will take time to wear off. But you cannot give in to self-pity or misery.
The skill of adaptability can be learned even in peaceful times. It only takes deliberate action from you. Try to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, like moving to a different city and trying the career you’ve always wanted. Take time to eschew your comfort, the way the stoics of the old do.
Finding the balance between pain and pleasure can take you a long way. You can indulge in pleasurable things like good food and wine, but you cannot let those control your life.
You can let pain course through your system, but you cannot let it dictate your actions. By finding the middle ground between the two, you can easily adapt to any changes around you.
2. Physical Skills
Walking long distances, running, jumping, and being physically fit are needed. After all, if you have to escape an urban area, you really need the physical power to go on and on for miles just in case fuel has run out and cars are rendered useless. Staying fit is not just part of a healthy lifestyle; it can also be a preparation for what’s to come.
Try long-distance walking and running to build your endurance over time and help you withstand strenuous physical exertions. Aside from that, weightlifting is also a must if you want to be able to last long on the road with eighty pounds on your back. Doing this regularly will not only improve your blood circulation but will also make sure that your body can cope when the time comes for you to walk and run great distances.
These will help you keep your strength up at all times
There are easy ways to keep up with your strength without machinery: run, do squats, planks, etc. But there are also ways to build up muscles that necessitate some help. Use the accessories below to stay in top shape (they take up very little space and work well)
Unlike in the wild, where you need to learn how to hunt for food and other resources, urban areas will be a different challenge altogether. There will be factories and homes that may retain anything useful, from scrap materials you can use to fashion a tool or canned goods that you can add to your depleting supply.
Since most people will normally focus on looting, you should be smart enough to get out of their way and use your brains to scavenge for things that you will really need. That means skipping the appliances and going for the materials you can make use of later, like newspapers and spare parts.
If food supplies come close to dwindling, that’s when you resort to hunting for food in the form of ducks and fish in the pond or even pigeons.
4. Creativity and resourcefulness
Resourcefulness is an ability that many people should acquire. This will be valuable in situations where you run out of supplies or simply need to make do with what you have. Being resourceful can lead you to materials that you can re-purpose to achieve your goals. They don’t have to be found in the obvious places.
5. Preparing a handy survival backpack
Preparation is a life skill you cannot do without. It won’t hurt to be prepared. After all, catastrophes are never predictable. Your top priority is preparing a survival kit that will comprise of tools, medicines, and other necessities that can aid you later on.
This includes a handy knife that can help you cut objects, open cans, clear a path, defend yourself from bad elements, and split woods for fuel. A multitool is ideal, especially when it contains pliers and a wrench. A well-stocked medicine kit will ensure your well-being if you have injuries or sudden illness.
For individuals who consider every possibility during a disaster, they’ll think of ways to make their way to safety. If it means navigating through alleys and walkways, then a compass and a copy of your city maps will do the trick.
If you want to break through a house that can keep you safe for the night, then stocking lockpicking tools will help a lot. Of course, you can always improvise with whatever it is in hand, but if you want a convenient way of doing this particular trick, you can invest in functional lockpick guns for a simpler method of opening locks.
Practice how they work, and master the tension tool, where you use minimal amount of pressure.
Your survival backpack must be sturdy enough to hold all the things you put in it but also not too heavy to carry around the whole time.
Now you’re ready to meet and survive disaster
The above skills are essential: it’s imperative you diligently cultivate them on a regular basis.
It is not enough that you learn; you should also make sure to practice constantly and prepare not just physically but also mentally and psychologically. These 5 urban survival skills could save your life!
Your will and courage can go a long way if you’re facing danger and you need a way out.