The city is a dangerous place. There are many different types of dangers that you’ll have to face in the urban jungle, but there are also ways to avoid them and stay safe when traveling through town.
It may seem like it’s impossible to survive in the city, but if you follow these tips on how to keep yourself safe, then you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Survival skills are important for anyone who spends time in the wilderness or other outdoor environments. |
| Wilderness survival skills include finding food and water, building a shelter, and knowing how to navigate. |
| It’s also important to have knowledge of first aid and other emergency techniques in case of an accident or injury. |
| Survival preparedness planning is key to staying safe in any emergency situation, whether that be in the wilderness or an urban environment. |
| Having the right gear can make all the difference in a survival situation, so it’s important to invest in quality equipment. |
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is one of the most important things you can do to survive in a city. You’re going to spend a lot of time in heavy traffic, so it’s best not to be late for work or an appointment.
When you know what you’re doing, there are plenty of ways that being stuck in traffic will end up being more fun than having “extra” time on your hands.
If you aren’t able to avoid getting lost in the city, it’s always good to have some food and water with you at all times.
It’s also helpful if someone knows where they’re going; otherwise they might end up walking around aimlessly forever!
Surviving in the city doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our surviving in the city beginner’s guide can give you all the resources you need to start preparedness planning and keep you and your loved ones safe.
Get a Plan B
It’s important to have a Plan B in place, just in case things don’t work out the way you’d hoped. Having a back up plan will help ensure that you and your family are safe, even if unexpected circumstances arise.
If something goes wrong, what do you do? Is there someone nearby who can help? Are there any resources available nearby that might be able to help? Do they have any rules or guidelines they need you to follow before they’ll help out? If so, knowing this information beforehand could save your life one day!
Once again: know what you’re going to do if things go wrong.
Backup Planning: Don’t get caught unprepared
| Types of Backup Plans | Description |
|---|---|
| Insurance Policies | Consider getting an insurance policy to protect yourself and your assets in case of unexpected events or emergencies. Popular companies include State Farm, Nationwide, and Allstate. |
| Emergency Kits | Keep a well-stocked emergency kit at home and in your car in case of power outages, natural disasters, or other emergency situations. Brands like ReadyWise and Augason Farms offer high-quality, pre-packaged kits. |
| Secondary Income | Having a secondary source of income can provide a safety net in case of unexpected job loss or financial hardship. Consider freelance work or starting a side business. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can connect you with potential clients. |
| Alternative Transportation | Investing in an alternative mode of transportation, like a bicycle or electric scooter, can provide a backup option in case of a car breakdown or other transportation issue. Brands like Rad Power Bikes and Segway offer high-quality options. |
| Remote Work | With the rise of remote work, having the ability to work from home or online can provide a backup option in case of unexpected office closures or commuting issues. Platforms like Remote.co and FlexJobs can connect you with remote job opportunities. |
Learn How to Negotiate
When you’re in the city, you’ll have to do a lot of negotiating. This is especially true when it comes to buying things from street vendors and finding deals on things like apartments.
When you go buying anything from a street vendor, don’t be afraid to negotiate with them. If they won’t budge on their price, walk away and see if they’ll come down on theirs.
You should also ask for freebies when possible for example: “Can I get another pair of sneakers thrown in?” or “I’d like two pairs of shoes instead of one.”
If that doesn’t work, ask for extra services: “Can I get these sneakers delivered?” or “How much would it cost if I had these clothes tailored right now?”
When it comes to urban survival, it’s not just about the initial emergency situation, but the aftermath as well. Our guide on the most dangerous urban survival scenarios can show you how to handle different types of emergencies and stay safe in the aftermath.
Keep Your Money Close to You
You should always carry a money belt. If you’re not sure what this is, it’s basically a strap that goes around your waist and has pockets for your wallet, passport or other valuables.
This way if someone tries to steal something from you they won’t get all of it because they’ll have to cut through the money belt first.
If you don’t have one of these, keep your wallet in your front pocket. Keeping it in the back pocket makes it easier for pickpockets and thieves to take advantage of you!
If need be, keep cash on hand but keep most of it in another location such as a bank account for example!
Keep Your FinANCES Secure: Essential Tips
| Tips for Keeping Your Money Safe | Description |
|---|---|
| Protect Your Credit | Use a credit monitoring service like Credit Karma or Equifax to keep an eye on your credit score and monitor for any fraudulent activity. |
| Invest Wisely | Research investment options and consider working with a financial advisor to develop a long-term investment strategy. Companies like Vanguard and Charles Schwab offer investment accounts and resources. |
| Choose Secure Banking | Look for banks and credit unions that offer strong security measures and fraud protection. Consider online banking options such as Ally or Chime, which often have higher interest rates and low fees. |
| Utilize Budgeting Tools | Use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to track your spending and create a budget. These can also help identify areas where you can cut spending and save money. |
| Don’t Overshare | Be cautious with personal and financial information, especially on social media and other public platforms. Avoid oversharing and keep your sensitive information confidential. |
Learn How to Say No
Be clear and assertive: If you have to say no, do it in a polite but firm way. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself by saying something like “I appreciate your offer but I’m really not interested right now. Thanks though!”
Ask for help when needed: Sometimes saying no isn’t enough; sometimes we need some extra support or help from others to get through tough times. It’s okay if this happens sometimes—don’t hesitate to ask someone else for assistance if they’re available!
Be ready to change your mind: Maybe at first you said no because the timing wasn’t right, but maybe now it is! Or maybe the reason why you said no initially has changed and now feels more reasonable than before? Whatever happens, just remember that our minds can change over time so try not getting too stuck on any one decision once made!
In an emergency situation, having the right hacks can make all the difference. Check out our top 10 urban survival hacks guide for quick and practical tips on surviving in an urban environment with limited resources.
Have a Good Sense of Direction
The first thing you need to do is get a good sense of direction. It’s easy to use landmarks and street names, but there are other ways, too.
You can use the sun and moon for orientation, as well as stars and maps. Or you can use a compass if you have one handy!
Orient yourself by looking around at your surroundings. Are there any landmarks nearby that could help guide you back home?
Is there anyone else around who might be able to point out where they’re going? If so, talk with them—they may have even better directions than what we’ve shared here!
Navigating Like a Pro: Tools and Tips
| Navigation Tools and Tips | Description |
|---|---|
| Maps | Carry paper maps or use digital mapping tools like Google Maps or Maps.me to navigate on-the-go. Make sure to download maps for offline use in areas without cell service. |
| Compass | A compass is a basic navigation tool that is essential for wilderness survival. Brands like Suunto and Brunton offer high-quality compasses for outdoor navigation. |
| GPS Devices | Advanced GPS devices like Garmin and TomTom offer additional features such as route planning and tracking. These are particularly useful for hikers and hunters. |
| Navigation Apps | Navigation apps like Waze or Here WeGo can provide real-time traffic updates and even suggest the fastest routes. |
| Be Observant | Always be aware of your surroundings and look for landmarks or other cues that can help you navigate. Trust your intuition and if you feel lost, stop and take a moment to gather your bearings. |
Take the Back Roads Whenever Possible
You’re a city-dweller, and you know how tough it can be to get around. You don’t want to be stuck in rush hour traffic or walking in unsafe areas. So what can you do to avoid these potential hazards? Find ways around them!
If there is no sidewalk, take the back roads instead of the main roads. If there aren’t any streetlights along your route, look for alternative routes with more lights (or at least try not to go out at night). If there are no crosswalks, try taking a longer but safer route instead of crossing wherever possible.
By taking the backroads whenever possible and avoiding high traffic areas during peak times like rush hour or on busy streets with poor pedestrian safety provisions (i.e., no crosswalks), you will have less exposure to danger when commuting from point A to point B!
No one can predict when a disaster will strike, but being prepared with an emergency kit can help you stay safe in any situation. Our ultimate urban survival checklist can help you gather all the necessary items you need for your emergency kit.
Always Have an Escape Route Ready
The most important thing you can do in an emergency is to know the escape route. Learn what routes may be available to you and where they lead.
Can you run, walk and bike there? Can you drive there? If a fire breaks out at your apartment building, could you make it down the stairs inside of three minutes?
If someone was chasing after me on foot, would I be able to outrun them? Where would I go if I needed to rest before continuing my journey (i.e., subway platform)? These are all things that should be considered when planning for an emergency; knowing these answers will help prevent panic in stressful situations.
Know Your Limits and Stick to Them
Know your limits, and stick to them. You might be in great shape physically and you may have been a runner before, but running around an unfamiliar city can take its toll on even the fittest of people.
If you need to rest or sleep, do it! It’s important to know your limits when it comes to physical exertion (and if you don’t know what those are yet, give yourself time).
Eat when hungry and drink when thirsty. When we’re hiking or camping out in nature we usually have food stores with us — but that isn’t always the case when we’re traveling through cities (or even just visiting one).
If you’re hungry, eat something but make sure it’s something healthy! Save room for dessert too because there’s nothing like ice cream after a long day spent walking around in 90-degree heat…right?
In a survival situation, having the right gear can make all the difference. Our guide on the top 10 urban survival gear items covers essential items that can help you survive in an urban environment and keep you protected in any emergency.
Be Honest About Your Location
Be honest about your location. It is important to be honest with people in the city and not to lie about where you are going, or who you are.
You should also not lie about your intentions; if someone asks what they can do for you, tell them exactly what it is that you need. If a person makes an assumption based on the fact that they know where it is that you live, don’t correct them unless they make it obvious that this was a mistake.
For example: if there is a big party happening in one neighborhood and everyone starts leaving for home early because of this assumption (that everyone lives in that neighborhood), then let them believe as such instead of explaining yourself every time someone asks why so many people are leaving at once!
Create a Profile of the City You’re in
Before you start your journey, it’s important to know where you’re going. You might be familiar with the city you live in, but have never been to this neighborhood or area before. This is where landmarks come in handy!
It doesn’t matter if it’s a skyscraper, park or café—the more things that are familiar to you, the better equipped you’ll be when it comes time for an escape.
Know the city/neighborhood/area/street etc: If there are multiple cities nearby and one of them has been hit by an EMP blast (or similar disaster), knowing which one was hit could make all the difference when trying to find resources like food or shelter.
Know what building/floor etc: Knowing which building or floor number can help keep track of where everyone else around me is going during evacuation procedures (for example).
Travel With a Trustworthy Partner(s) or Guide When Possible
Traveling with a partner or guide is one of the best ways to enjoy your time in the city. They can help you navigate the best places to stay, eat, and explore. In addition to that, they can teach you about what it’s like living in their city what they consider “stereotypical.”
For example, if someone from New York City travels with someone from San Francisco, they could learn about how differently people behave compared to how they’re supposed to act when visiting each other’s hometowns.
Conclusion
I hope the above tips have been helpful in your journey, and that you’ll keep them in mind when visiting your next city.
Remember that cities are not just places where people live they’re also where cultures, traditions and histories come together to create something unique and beautiful. Don’t be afraid of getting lost in this way; instead, embrace it!
The more time you spend exploring what makes each city different from all others, the more likely it is that this experience will be a positive one for everyone involved.
Further Reading
For more information on survival skills and techniques, check out the following resources:
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere: This book covers a variety of survival scenarios and provides practical tips and advice to help readers survive in any environment.
SAS Survival Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere: Written by a former SAS soldier, this guide covers essential survival skills and techniques for any situation.
Andy McNab Ultimate Survival Handbook: This book provides readers with expert advice on wilderness survival and covers everything from building a shelter to finding food and water.
FAQs
What is meant by survival?
Survival refers to the ability to stay alive and maintain one’s physical and mental well-being in difficult or dangerous situations.
What are some essential survival skills?
Some essential survival skills include finding shelter, starting a fire, finding and purifying water, and knowing how to obtain food in the wilderness.
What is the best way to prepare for an emergency situation?
The best way to prepare for an emergency situation is to create a plan, gather necessary supplies, and practice drills with your family or household.
What should I include in my emergency kit?
Some essential items to include in your emergency kit include food and water, a first aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries, a multi-tool, and a communication device.
How can I stay calm in a survival situation?
Staying calm in a survival situation is key for making the right decisions and taking the necessary actions to stay alive. Some techniques for staying calm include taking deep breaths, focusing on the present moment, and addressing any immediate needs or concerns.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.