Urban Prepper Planning
What sort of planning issues and threat subjects that urban preppers or ordinary preppers need to
consider if stuck within a large town or city after TSHTF.
Avoiding Detection by gangs or criminals and avoiding being rounded up by authorities (NEVER
BECOME A REFUGEE)
Identifying and Recovering water sources and materials to purify water*
Identifying and recovering food sources ( primarily this will be tinned, freeze dried, dehydrated etc)
Locating and foraging for wild growing NON POLLUTED foods
Developing transit routes to and from place of safety (BOL)
Collecting specialist access keys like storm drain keys, subway maintenance access doors etc
Finding safe places to shelter and cook that won’t give away your position
Mapping CCTV and other surveillance equipment (and plotting ways to avoid it)
Finding B O routes not likely to be used by refugees and displaced persons
Noting where unsafe and unstable building are and unstable or collapse prone paved areas are
Identify choke points where desperate refugees may congregate
Identify likely locations for official check points and unofficial ambushs
Identify URBAN specific threats such as local gang territory or places with live rail lines, places likely
to face flooding
Identify safe locations for shelter if civil unrest triggers large scale riots or out of control arson
triggered fire storms
Identifying useable Elevated and Subterranean travel routes (Ariel walkways and underground
passages)
Identifying suitable places to set up OP and LPs
Identifying suitable urban locations to hide caches of supplies securely and safely
Identifying areas for future planting of food stuffs
Setting up suitable URBAN comms short range SECURE systems (and concealing antennae)
*WATER specific concerns
Methods of testing water sources in urban locations to see if they have been treated with
rust inhibitors, anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, excess dissolved lead or copper
levels, antifreeze agents (alcohol and / or glycol based), excess sodium hypo levels,
build ups of explosive hydrogen sulphide gases in water systems, faecal matter levels,
typhus or other nasty’s etc""" Boiling does not remove chemical additives or metallic
additives.
(Courtesy of DEVONIAN on SUK.net)
Understanding how the water network operates
Locating Underground service reservoirs
Obtaining a fire hydrant/stand pipe
Sourcing a gate Key (for closing/opening valves on the water network)
COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNS
I think we will need the input from our Radio Ham and CB geeks on determining which
systems work best in urban areas, PMR446 or AM CB or FM CB or Ham I’m not qualified
to advise on this subject.
(Courtesy of LIGHTSPEED on SUK.net)
UHF (Ultra high frequency) with its very short wave length works quite well in cities. It
still gets blocked by big, tall buildings but has the ability to bounce around them.
Position can be very critical. Just moving a few feet often will make a difference between
perfect reception and no reception at all. The other advantage of UHF is that there are
many hand held walkie-talkie type units available. Because the wavelength is so short,
antennas for this band are also tiny. UHF radios can be very discreet.
Most readily available UHF radios are PMR446 units or Ham radio 430 Mhz bands.
Guerrilla (or Parrot repeaters on CB) repeaters constructed to operate autonomously
from tower block roofs are also a good way to get signals across the cityscape. Again,
UHF frequencies work well in this application. Built using one of the generic low powered
Chinese radio clones, secured in a water tight box, with a small PV charging unit, this
sort of installation can stay operational for a long time without need to touch it.
At times the URBAN prepper will find the other survivors will select some locations fairly
common to all (Doors of the Town Hall etc) and post notices and hand written messages
on notice boards seeking info, trade, barter, news or assistance, Urban preppers already
in touch with other urban preppers but not having workable radio comms are likely to
have more secure message exchange locations of called “dead letter drops”. These are
previously agreed locations where they can leave messages for each other.
URBAN Personal equipment
I think the kit and clothing requirements will pretty much match those or even surpass
those of rural preppers especially the extra need for extra protection from pollutants in
an urban environment after TSHTF, any foraging or movement that could kick up or
disturb toxic particles from burnt or decaying buildings will require eye and mouth/nose
protection (goggles and face mask) gloves and closed hems, draw cord, cuffs etc is also
likely to be an important consideration. Work gloves are likely to be essential in urban
areas with its inevitable large amounts of broken glass and sharp fractured bricks and
stonework. One piece of feedback I received from an urban prepper suggests that
preppers buy as much clothing as possible for foraging and recce roles made from RIPSTOP
fabric as its very very likely the damaged buildings and debris is likely to cause
very heavy wear on clothing. He also added that the soles of boots MUST be inspected
after each foray out to ensure nail, tacks, glass, wire, stones etc are not greatly
shortening the life of the boots, (he also suggested that after TSHTF when streets are
badly littered with debris that air filled footwear like Dr Martens or Nike Air Max and NOT
used)
Extra clothing is likely to mean greater thirst caused by getting to warm whilst working
so extra drinking /washing water is likely to be required
Extra tools for prying open doors, hatches, windows, lift shafts, water tank covers,
manholes etc is likely to become standard kit for long term urban preppers. Feedback
from established urban preppers I have received suggests that a “Spring Loaded Centre
Punch” will be a useful addition to kit for safely shattering toughened glass windows and
doors in abandoned structures when out foraging.
I think that long term preppers determined to utilise every possible resource left in the
city is likely to need climbing gear, ropes and harnesses to access some locations where
staircases are no longer accessible and to assist in escaping if the prepper falls through a
decayed surface into a void.
A couple of Urban preppers have also pointed out the increased risk in cities after a
disaster from packs of abandoned dogs and suggest other Urban preppers consider
measures to keep them at bay (preferably QUIET measures for OPSEC)
Aerosols of bright coloured paint will assist in marking routes in dark subterranean
locations as a means of retracting the route out or marking areas that have been
checked out.
I also guess (and it is a guess) that urban preppers are likely to end up relying on
bicycles for most transport needs as its likely to be the only truly viable swift and cargo
capable vehicle for travelling through clogged abandoned streets, Urban preppers in situ
now should consider obtaining AT bikes with puncture proof tyres NOW whilst they can
still obtain them through normal means.
I think the mantra of the Urban prepper is going to be “Don’t just look left and right,
look up and down as well” At night the Mk 1 Eyeball is definitely going to be at a
disadvantage and hearing is likely to be the most useful way of detecting approaching
trouble so ensure the area your BOL is located in does not have any extraneous noises
at night from things like wind chimes, rattling gates, busted windows rattling, curtains or
abandoned washing flapping about. A few handfuls of broken glass and gravel on the
approachs to your BOL should give notice of people approaching on foot.
Urban preppers (providing the authorities IR CCTV is not working) should be able to rule
the night in the cities providing they remain unseen and unheard, simple recceing is not
going to be so easy in a large city, chances are preppers wanting to find out what is
going on in a new area are likely to have to move quietly into the area at night and set
up an OP/LP and spend the daylight hours watching, listening and noting what is going
on for at least 24 hours before moving into the area to access resources.
What sort of planning issues and threat subjects that urban preppers or ordinary preppers need to
consider if stuck within a large town or city after TSHTF.
Avoiding Detection by gangs or criminals and avoiding being rounded up by authorities (NEVER
BECOME A REFUGEE)
Identifying and Recovering water sources and materials to purify water*
Identifying and recovering food sources ( primarily this will be tinned, freeze dried, dehydrated etc)
Locating and foraging for wild growing NON POLLUTED foods
Developing transit routes to and from place of safety (BOL)
Collecting specialist access keys like storm drain keys, subway maintenance access doors etc
Finding safe places to shelter and cook that won’t give away your position
Mapping CCTV and other surveillance equipment (and plotting ways to avoid it)
Finding B O routes not likely to be used by refugees and displaced persons
Noting where unsafe and unstable building are and unstable or collapse prone paved areas are
Identify choke points where desperate refugees may congregate
Identify likely locations for official check points and unofficial ambushs
Identify URBAN specific threats such as local gang territory or places with live rail lines, places likely
to face flooding
Identify safe locations for shelter if civil unrest triggers large scale riots or out of control arson
triggered fire storms
Identifying useable Elevated and Subterranean travel routes (Ariel walkways and underground
passages)
Identifying suitable places to set up OP and LPs
Identifying suitable urban locations to hide caches of supplies securely and safely
Identifying areas for future planting of food stuffs
Setting up suitable URBAN comms short range SECURE systems (and concealing antennae)
*WATER specific concerns
Methods of testing water sources in urban locations to see if they have been treated with
rust inhibitors, anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, excess dissolved lead or copper
levels, antifreeze agents (alcohol and / or glycol based), excess sodium hypo levels,
build ups of explosive hydrogen sulphide gases in water systems, faecal matter levels,
typhus or other nasty’s etc""" Boiling does not remove chemical additives or metallic
additives.
(Courtesy of DEVONIAN on SUK.net)
Understanding how the water network operates
Locating Underground service reservoirs
Obtaining a fire hydrant/stand pipe
Sourcing a gate Key (for closing/opening valves on the water network)
COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNS
I think we will need the input from our Radio Ham and CB geeks on determining which
systems work best in urban areas, PMR446 or AM CB or FM CB or Ham I’m not qualified
to advise on this subject.
(Courtesy of LIGHTSPEED on SUK.net)
UHF (Ultra high frequency) with its very short wave length works quite well in cities. It
still gets blocked by big, tall buildings but has the ability to bounce around them.
Position can be very critical. Just moving a few feet often will make a difference between
perfect reception and no reception at all. The other advantage of UHF is that there are
many hand held walkie-talkie type units available. Because the wavelength is so short,
antennas for this band are also tiny. UHF radios can be very discreet.
Most readily available UHF radios are PMR446 units or Ham radio 430 Mhz bands.
Guerrilla (or Parrot repeaters on CB) repeaters constructed to operate autonomously
from tower block roofs are also a good way to get signals across the cityscape. Again,
UHF frequencies work well in this application. Built using one of the generic low powered
Chinese radio clones, secured in a water tight box, with a small PV charging unit, this
sort of installation can stay operational for a long time without need to touch it.
At times the URBAN prepper will find the other survivors will select some locations fairly
common to all (Doors of the Town Hall etc) and post notices and hand written messages
on notice boards seeking info, trade, barter, news or assistance, Urban preppers already
in touch with other urban preppers but not having workable radio comms are likely to
have more secure message exchange locations of called “dead letter drops”. These are
previously agreed locations where they can leave messages for each other.
URBAN Personal equipment
I think the kit and clothing requirements will pretty much match those or even surpass
those of rural preppers especially the extra need for extra protection from pollutants in
an urban environment after TSHTF, any foraging or movement that could kick up or
disturb toxic particles from burnt or decaying buildings will require eye and mouth/nose
protection (goggles and face mask) gloves and closed hems, draw cord, cuffs etc is also
likely to be an important consideration. Work gloves are likely to be essential in urban
areas with its inevitable large amounts of broken glass and sharp fractured bricks and
stonework. One piece of feedback I received from an urban prepper suggests that
preppers buy as much clothing as possible for foraging and recce roles made from RIPSTOP
fabric as its very very likely the damaged buildings and debris is likely to cause
very heavy wear on clothing. He also added that the soles of boots MUST be inspected
after each foray out to ensure nail, tacks, glass, wire, stones etc are not greatly
shortening the life of the boots, (he also suggested that after TSHTF when streets are
badly littered with debris that air filled footwear like Dr Martens or Nike Air Max and NOT
used)
Extra clothing is likely to mean greater thirst caused by getting to warm whilst working
so extra drinking /washing water is likely to be required
Extra tools for prying open doors, hatches, windows, lift shafts, water tank covers,
manholes etc is likely to become standard kit for long term urban preppers. Feedback
from established urban preppers I have received suggests that a “Spring Loaded Centre
Punch” will be a useful addition to kit for safely shattering toughened glass windows and
doors in abandoned structures when out foraging.
I think that long term preppers determined to utilise every possible resource left in the
city is likely to need climbing gear, ropes and harnesses to access some locations where
staircases are no longer accessible and to assist in escaping if the prepper falls through a
decayed surface into a void.
A couple of Urban preppers have also pointed out the increased risk in cities after a
disaster from packs of abandoned dogs and suggest other Urban preppers consider
measures to keep them at bay (preferably QUIET measures for OPSEC)
Aerosols of bright coloured paint will assist in marking routes in dark subterranean
locations as a means of retracting the route out or marking areas that have been
checked out.
I also guess (and it is a guess) that urban preppers are likely to end up relying on
bicycles for most transport needs as its likely to be the only truly viable swift and cargo
capable vehicle for travelling through clogged abandoned streets, Urban preppers in situ
now should consider obtaining AT bikes with puncture proof tyres NOW whilst they can
still obtain them through normal means.
I think the mantra of the Urban prepper is going to be “Don’t just look left and right,
look up and down as well” At night the Mk 1 Eyeball is definitely going to be at a
disadvantage and hearing is likely to be the most useful way of detecting approaching
trouble so ensure the area your BOL is located in does not have any extraneous noises
at night from things like wind chimes, rattling gates, busted windows rattling, curtains or
abandoned washing flapping about. A few handfuls of broken glass and gravel on the
approachs to your BOL should give notice of people approaching on foot.
Urban preppers (providing the authorities IR CCTV is not working) should be able to rule
the night in the cities providing they remain unseen and unheard, simple recceing is not
going to be so easy in a large city, chances are preppers wanting to find out what is
going on in a new area are likely to have to move quietly into the area at night and set
up an OP/LP and spend the daylight hours watching, listening and noting what is going
on for at least 24 hours before moving into the area to access resources.
