The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered

FIVE ABOVE SIX BELOW URBAN PREPAREDNESS BLOG

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered." - Japanese proverb

During a period of civil unrest, you're either a number or a target. No matter how well equipped you or your small group may be for conflict, full battle rattle is going to draw a world of unwanted attention from the hoods and have-nots. That overt plate carrier and camo you're wearing? The city will eventually swallow you whole thinking you're another cop, criminal, or loot drop. But at what point does our affinity for load bearing equipment or camo become a liability in urban prepping? With big city problems, I figure it's sooner rather than later.

Keeping it Real

When we look at the hypotheticals of urban STHF scenario, almost every situation comes with a list of hot kit. While streetwear has dulled the eyes to a touch of molle, that multicam plate carrier and bump helmet won't go unnoticed. I'm certainly not immune to the allure of Crye's finest - and lord help me when I push out into the sticks - but the realities of urban preparedness require a far more subtle approach to keep from emboldening others.

Stow it, cover it, conceal it.

Urban survival relies heavily on the on the concept of hiding in plain sight, and our approach to a SHTF loadout should be no different. Is it sexy and high-speed? No, probably not, but it's not going to draw any unwanted attention. A muted shell or hoodie can go a long way to conceal a plate carrier, while a backpack or fanny pack can be used to offset your usual LBE. Trim back those battle belts, use your jacket pockets. Get creative. An empty two-four and guitar case will get a war chest across town without a second look, just like a plain smock or M65 will have you blending in on both sides of the tracks.

Think gorp-core, not war-torn.

People have a nasty habit of acting up when the chips are down, and that sentiment only grows when the mob is alive and well. If history and experience have shown us anything about civil unrest, it's just how important it is to keep that target off your back until you're ready to go loud. You're a number first and a lesson second, so don't forget to dress the part before you step outside during SHTF.

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How does your Urban Prepping OR CIVIL UNREST loadout differ From The Kit You Carry In the sticks?

Sticking to the Menu When Building An Urban PrepPing Pantry

While long-term food supplies seem to capture our hearts, many don't sufficiently plan for what is required inside of a year. It's easy to get carried away with our short-term selection, but the problem with non-perishable food like canned goods, is that we tend to contribute just a little too much to landfill. So how do we buck this trend when prepping for events like job loss or natural disaster? We plan our urban preparedness pantry around our daily menu.

On Shotguns: Shotgun Breaching For The Urban Prepper

We've all encountered a locked barrier at some point in our lives. Locked keys in the car? Call roadside assistance. Late night as a teen? There's a basement window for that. At the end of the day, these are all easy fixes with ample opportunity. But in an urban survival scenario where self-rescue is required - and a locked door may hold you or your loved ones firmly in harm's way - a heavy-handed solution may be the only way to safety. If a lockpick or hard kick won't clear a path, perhaps it's time to knock a little louder. Enter the shotgun.

During a period of civil unrest, you're either a number or a target. No matter how well equipped you or your small group may be for conflict, full battle rattle is going to draw a world of unwanted attention from the hoods and have-nots. That overt plate carrier and camo you're wearing? The city will eventually swallow you whole, thinking you're another cop, criminal, or loot drop. But at what point does our affinity for load bearing equipment or camo become a liability in urban preparedness? With big city problems, I figure it's sooner rather than later.