As an urban prepper, you need to be ready at all times, especially if you live in a crowded city. When a gas line breaks and your home starts filling up with flammable gas, you’ll need a gas and water shutoff tool to turn the gas valve. If someone gets trapped under debris in a locked room after an earthquake, you’ll need a demolition tool to help them escape. (h/t to UrbanSurvivalSite.com)

The nine survival tools in the list below can help you get through SHTF scenarios that may occur in an urban environment.

Auto bailout tool

An auto bailout tool is an important thing to have in your Every Day Carry kit (EDC kit). This tool can be used to cut your seat belt and break the glass in a window or windshield if you need to escape the wreckage of your vehicle when SHTF. It also has an emergency whistle that can be used to signal for help.

Demolition tool 

If you’re rebuilding in a post-SHTF world, you may need to start with demolition. You can easily tear through glass, wood, concrete, and steel if you have a high-quality demolition tool. This multipurpose tool combines things like an ax, a crowbar, and a sledgehammer into a single tool.

Entrenching tool

An entrenching tool is a special kind of shovel that’s designed to be compact and versatile. Some tools will have a screwdriver and a saw blade, or a shovel head that can also be flipped to turn the tool into a gardening hoe. Other kinds of entrenching tools will have different features, such as:

• Ax
• Bottle opener
• Firestarter
• Glass breaker
• Hammer
• Paracord
• Rescue knife
• Whistle
• Wire cutter

Gas and water shutoff tool

If a major disaster wrecks your plumbing, your home may get flooded or filled with dangerous gases. You’ll need a gas and water shutoff tool to deal with these kinds of emergencies. Learn how to use this tool properly so you know what to do when SHTF.

Lockpick kit 

If you need to rescue someone who’s trapped in a locked room, you’ll need a lockpick kit. In some cases, your survival may depend on the accessibility of supplies in locked buildings, but this doesn’t mean that looting or breaking into occupied buildings is advised, especially for moral reasons and your own safety. (Related: What’s in YOUR bug out bag? 10 must-have multipurpose survival tools.)

Multi-bit screwdriver 

A multi-bit screwdriver is a crucial item for preppers who wish to save space in their toolbox. Instead of needing multiple screwdrivers, you can access them using one tool with different types of screw heads.

Power bank and jump starter

Ideally, you should have a backup energy source so you can power your home in the event of a power outage. But for your devices, you will need a portable option like a power bank. To make things easier for yourself, especially if you have a bug-out vehicle, get a power bank that can also be used as a jump starter. This way, you can jump-start your own vehicle whenever you need to.

Rescue card/multi-tool card

A rescue card is a survival tool that is made out of sturdy material like stainless steel. Since a multi-tool card is about the same size as a credit card, it can be stored inside a wallet or purse. Common features of a rescue card include a blade, a can opener, a screwdriver, several feet of paracord, and a wrench. Should you lose most of your survival gear, having a multi-tool card means you at least have access to basic tools.

Tread bracelet (Leatherman)

A tread bracelet is an accessory that combines several screwdriver heads into a functional bracelet.

Get these survival tools so you can keep your family safe if and when SHTF in an urban environment.

Sources include:

UrbanSurvivalSite.com

TopSurvivalWeapons.com