Urban survival kit

Roodog

Roodog

Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
466
Im looking to put together a legit urban survival kit. Mostly for all hell breaks loose scenarios. A smallish kit that I can keep in my bag or briefcase.

Right now, Im carrying a flashlight, small prybar, a few small knives (fix blade and folder), some paracord, some gaff tape and at least 32 oz. of water in a nalgene boltte. I feel like Im missing something.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ive been considering a leatherman and will probably add one to my EDC soon.
 
I posted a similar question a while back:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466324

There were some good ideas tossed out there. The main thing I see missing from your kit is some way to start a fire. If public services go off line you may need to boil water or cook something or just keep warm depending on the season. I also always carry a DMT Mini-Sharp or Diafold to maintain my knives.
 
Sal, I guess I would think about the intended scope of the kit. Is it put together just to get you out of a building and to a safe point, or is the kit intended to get you out of the building and home on foot? That's what I think about when putting something like that together.

My adventure/emergency kit is basically a strpped-down version of my weekend camping pack. Fire, shelter, watercontainer/treatment, simple foods, cutting tools, a few utilty items, and first aid are all I have. Actually, that sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. And I know I have things in my kit that aren't necessities.
 
hikeeba said:
Sal, I guess I would think about the intended scope of the kit. Is it put together just to get you out of a building and to a safe point, or is the kit intended to get you out of the building and home on foot? That's what I think about when putting something like that together.
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Good point. When Roodog said "all hell breaks loose scenarios," I thought of flood or tornado, or major snow/ice storm. . . something that's going to seriously disrupt life for at least a couple of days and going home might not be an option.

Oh, and something I forgot to say before, as was mentioned in the other thread that I started, in an urban emergency you will most likely be able to scavenge all kinds of useful things.
 
Roodog, are you looking for something to carry, or something to stash at your desk?

I always suggest a lighter or matches, some insulated solid core wire (improvisation possibilities are broader than uninsulated), good local maps, a pre-paid phone card (they sometimes get through when "all circuits" are busy), pocket change and some small bills (ones and fives). When ya'll had your black out a few years back, I can't imagine that too many people were getting exact change back if all they had on them were tens and twenties and were buying water.

To stash at work, more water, something to eat, a good thermal shirt (that can take getting wet), work gloves, dust masks, safety glasses or RX glasses if needed, good spare socks and at least good hiking or work boots that you've broken in. If you have space, a small REAL pry bar (more than a PocketWrench, Wonderbar or PryBaby- a 10-12" bar), a multibit screwdriver, and a pair or two of pliers. If you wear a suit, a change of clothes. I've got a couple of really nice suits, but they wouldn't last long if I had to hoof it. Add a largish book bag that will hold everything plus anything you feel you MUST bring home from work.

And remember, TPS cover sheets make good tinder. :)
 
A pair of leather gloves
good dust mask
safety glasses
poncho
10-15ft. surgical tubing to draw water from a normally unaccessable area
Katadyn MP1 water purification tablets
coffee filters to prefilter particulate matter from water
bandana
firestarting kit
compass
 
What about footware? A good pair of hiking boots will make the walk much more comfortable.
 
Roodog said:
Im looking to put together a legit urban survival kit. Mostly for all hell breaks loose scenarios. A smallish kit that I can keep in my bag or briefcase.

Right now, Im carrying a flashlight, small prybar, a few small knives (fix blade and folder), some paracord, some gaff tape and at least 32 oz. of water in a nalgene boltte. I feel like Im missing something.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ive been considering a leatherman and will probably add one to my EDC soon.
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I make plans to get by for three days.

:thumbup: on a multi-tool
:thumbup: on a first aid kit
Three day's medications if you take them daily
Analgesics for fever and pain relief
I carry a little Sony AM/FM/TV/Weather jogger-style radio.
Food bars and candy of your choice. Keep some food at work too.
Spare batteries for the flashlight and radio.
Space blanket
Large garbage bag
Work gloves
Butane lighter/matches
Coins and dollar bills
 
A good stout Irish blackthorn walking stick ,makes a good defensive tool. Also i would add strong walking shoes or boots to the kit. the rest of the gear is gonna depend on the nature of the disaster, your not going to need the same things in a temporary blackout as you'll need in the event of another terrorist attack and have to hike or swim away from the city I would also find like minded friends. or people I trust and buddy up, more gear and strength in numbers, pick rally points to meet up at.
 
nemoaz said:
He's in Manhatten. Only the criminals are armed there. The victims must be unarmed.
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Not entirely true. I do legally have a Mossberg 500 in my apartment, so atleast on my turf I have a fighting chance. Id love to carry a .45 ACP Kimber 1911 with a 3 inch barrel, but that isnt happening here.

Thanks for all the great suggestions, fire and first aid was definetely something I overlooked. I have first aid at home and work but not a small carry kit.

I did mean some natural disaster/failure of public works scenario, not lawless anarchy. Having been through 911 and the blackout that happened back on 2001, one thing I've learned as that even the criminal element takes at least a day off in those types of situations.

I've considered the walking stick in the past, but I'm young and fit and it looks too weird. As for the running shoes, I wear these relatively pricey italian dress shoes that I could run a marathon in if needed, they are totally worth the 200-300 dollars for the comfort and the ablity to hoof it and bad situation is a nice plus.

I did forget to add that my EDC includes a few pairs of nitrile gloves and 2-3 surgical masks (I work in lab and use these daily so Ive gotten in the habit of having a few in my bag.)
 
Roodog said:
Not entirely true. I do legally have a Mossberg 500 in my apartment, so atleast on my turf I have a fighting chance.
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Hard to fit that in a go bag and take it to work every day. ;)

one thing I've learned as that even the criminal element takes at least a day off in those types of situations.
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Wouldn't count on it though. Lotsa times the criminal class view it as a business opportunity.
 
nemoaz said:
one thing I've learned as that even the criminal element takes at least a day off in those types of situations.
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Wouldn't count on it though. Lotsa times the criminal class view it as a business opportunity.
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I found in the aftermath of earthquake, it seems the business class use it as more of an opportunity. Even in a situation like Katrina/NOLA, the reports of violence were greatly overblown.

As a lifelong city dweller of a very large urban area, I find maps of the local area can be of great use, especially if you are not absolutely familiar with your surroundings.
 
multitool, food, first aid kit (built based on your abilities is the best), fire

for in the office/stashed things like hygiene equipment (hairbrush? toothbrush, toothpaste etc) water, food, clothes, gloves, full size tools, etc
 
shecky said:
I found in the aftermath of earthquake, it seems the business class use it as more of an opportunity..
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Fair enough, but your defense against price gouging is much more predictable (and less emergent) than defense against looters.
 
One question to ask: what did my town look like (and the place(s) I intend to go to if I leave my town) before there was a town there? Think basic geography, and topographic features, and climate, in each season, while you're doing your planning.

I am sitting in an air-conditioned office with running water in the kitchen 20 feet away. It's easy to forget that I'm in a desert, and the nearest reliable non-man-made permanent stream is probably, oh, 10-20 miles away. Hence, my at-work survival kit is heavy on already-filled Nalgene canteens full of water. Might not be a necessity for you, but it clearly is for me. I have similar, increasingly-comprehensive kits in my car, my wife's van, and the house.

As city dwellers, we're used to pretending that the city, and its amenities, will always be there and always function. I've found it a good exercise to think through the absence of such things--it's surprising what basic stuff one misses when one commutes to work over a highway and spends all day indoors.
 
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