Getting Ahead of the Crowd As An Urban Prepper

FIVE ABOVE SIX BELOW URBAN PREPAREDNESS AND CIVIL UNREST

Crowds can be a complex issue for many of us, turning an otherwise enjoyable event into a bit of a quagmire. Sporting events, shopping centres, and other large gatherings are all part of life, but often come with host of concerns for the security minded. While many of us would like to avoid them all together, there are going to be times when we just need to roll up our sleeves. So, before you swear off a good time - and offend your friends and family in the process - never forget that you're the one with the plan.

FORGIVE YOUR MISGIVINGS

Have you ever tried telling a 5-year-old that they can't see Santa? Or that your father-in-law should give up on playoff tickets because of a crowd? I can't imagine that those would be easy conversations to have, and some would likely push to have you committed. To preserve some of that magic, many of us will need to take on the responsibility of security for our friends and family, meaning that we will need to make compromises from time to time. While there will always be a time and place to pull the plug, it's important to remember that we live in a time of relative safety. So long as common-sense is applied to the journey, we can mitigate many of the one in a million risks through preparedness. Common-sense rules apply: if it seems dodgy, it probably is.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

Whether it's a routine trip to the mall or crowded venue, I think that we can all agree that 'situational awareness' will help us to avoid many of the issues we're likely to face in an urban survival situation. Similar to the reactionary gap in combat, the sooner we're able to identify the problem, the sooner we can remove ourselves from harm or act. Additionally, early identification of these issues can provide critical seconds to decide on a course of action, or at the very least, get those feet moving in the right direction. Once we have our eyes up, knowing and articulating our exits will ensure that we're not trapped in the 'observe' and 'orient' phases of our exit (see: OODA loop for further reading). When touched off, it's not usually the catalyst that gets people - it's the stampede. This is a problem in and of itself, but is further complicated by directional danger, such as fire or an active shooter. In such case, checking those mental boxes early will allow us to turn the focus of our lizard brains to the unknowns of the problem.

STICK TO THE EDGES

While concerts can be a drag from the isle, there is something to be said about having rapid access to an exit. Crowds are like living organisms, and unless you're able to get ahead of them, you'll become part of them. When choosing a seat or navigating a crowd, the last place you want to be is in the heart of things. It may be faster. The view may be better. But if the idea is to find comfort in the crowd, it's better to be on the outside. For those who may receive some flak for this choice, 'claustrophobia' is a great way to dispel any issues that your friends or family may have. Small kids? That's an even easier sell.

PLAYING IT SAFE

When safety is top of mind, it's easy to let your gut lead the way. If the idea of walking through a crowd makes you uncomfortable, don't do it. If the thought of standing against a barrier makes you sweat, don't do it. Our minds are wired to avoid danger, and if urban preparedness is what drew you here, then you've likely been providing your brain with all the datapoints it will need. Next time you're out and about, check off those boxes as you go. The more you work out ahead of time, the quicker the answers will come when it matters. Once you grease that groove, you'll no longer have to think about it. Eyes up, know your exits, stick to the edges. Your new A-B-Cs.

WHILE THESE POINTS HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE EVERY DAY, HOW WOULD YOU INTEGRATE THESE TIPS INTO YOUR URBAN SURVIVAL PLAYBOOK? WHAT ABOUT DURING CIVIL UNREST?

Civil Unrest, MindsetJHJuly 4, 2024Apartment Prepping, Urban Preparedness, Urban Prepping, Urban survival, Urban Survival, City Prepping, Civil Unrest, Prepping Blog, Prepper Blog, Urban Preparedness Blog, Urban Prepping BlogComment

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