Prepping in the city is in many ways the same as prepping in the country – you build a stockpile, secure your home and arm yourself for self-defense. But the city is a beast of its own. Crime-riddled and packed with people, this concrete jungle presents challenges that make prepping doubly difficult.
The greatest threat to urban preppers is the dense population. When SHTF and resources run dry, people tend to go survivalist mode and do anything in their power to make it out alive. That's a problem if you're surrounded by many people: As a prepper, you're a prime target. Here are five ways to prep discreetly in the city: (h/t to ModernSurvivalOnline.com)
Blend in
Blending in is a simple but effective trick to go unnoticed. Study the rhythm of the place and observe people's behavior. Pay special attention to how they dress and talk, and what time of day they usually go out. If everyone looks starved, try to look the same way by wearing dirty clothes. However, be careful not to appear too "soft" as you can easily get picked on. Apply the same wisdom to your home, bug-out place and vehicle.
Carry something for self-defense
A firearm is one of the most effective weapons for neutralizing an attacker. But weapons like a knife and pepper spray will also come in handy when you get attacked. Pepper spray is particularly useful if you're looking for a non-lethal yet effective means to defend yourself. It's long-ranged and easy to carry. Unlike a gun or a knife, it does not have a distinct shape that can easily set off people's alarm bells.
That being said, remember to conceal your weapons at all times. You want to blend in, not alert people to the fact that you're prepared for a disaster.
Hide your preps
There are many ways to hide your preps. Fashion a sofa out of storage buckets or use crawl spaces like the underneath of the bed. You can also hide your stockpile in plain sight or in places a thief wouldn't care to look.
Use storage units
Part of what makes city prepping challenging is the scarcity of storage. There's not enough soil to dig into and hide valuables, and if there is, it's often off-limits like the park. A good fix is to adapt to your environment. Cities are replete with storage facilities. Consider renting one if you have the means. This can accommodate survival gear like spare ammo, extra clothing and many other provisions.
Look for secret roads
It's easy to get trapped in the interstate and other major roads as these routes get packed with people fleeing the city. Avoid these chokepoints by taking the road less traveled. Check the city map for secret roads. Many of these passageways offer a bumpy ride, but they're less populated and therefore safer for travel. If you're traveling by foot, consider taking tunnels or sewers. (Related: Urban survival tips that can help you stay alive when you need to bug out.)
Your greatest enemy as an urban prepper is the pack of city slickers who will do anything for survival. Prep discreetly by practicing these tips.
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