With all the love for Spyderco's Paramilitary series, it's no surprise that people started calling for something smaller, more pocketable. To remedy this, Spyderco released the Para 3 over a decade later, scaling down the proven features of the Paramilitary to create a compact copy of it's proven design. But for diehard fans of their FRN line looking to shed some weight, Spyderco had one more trick up their sleeves - the US-made Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight.
Read MoreWhile modern construction comes with a host of pros, structural integrity doesn't usually top the list. One glaring issue with new builds is that many of these units are built on an open-floor concept, reducing the number of concrete walls, while maintaining code through the use of a gypsum firewall. While this no doubt translates to a few pesos off the purchase price, there is a hidden cost that people are beginning to encounter on a more frequent basis. In the face of common criminals or civil unrest, knowing where your security is thinnest could make or break your apartment prepping plan.
Read MoreNo matter your level of preparedness, there are always going to be gaps in the plan. For some, this is a matter of cost or caution. For others, it's space. While these shortcomings can leave you feeling uneasy, keeping a close inventory of the cracks can provide a unique edge during a natural disaster or civil unrest. While others are still trying to make sense of what's coming, skip the math and get ahead of things with a punch list.
Read MoreFlashlights are a true wonder. No matter your station in life, there's a time and place for everyone to say their thanks. They brighten dark corners, make sense of wires and pipes, and for the modern warfighter, they are completely indispensable. While many of us carry our flashlights daily, they are often tucked away in wait of a hearty job. But with the advent of ultrabright LED technology, perhaps it's time to consider the flashlight as a firstline companion to self-defense in an urban environment.
Read MoreCrowds 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 one go - never forget that you're the one with the plan.
Read MoreIn the case of urban preparedness, there are few tenants spoken of more often than food and water. Afterall, the 'Rules of Three' dominate much of this space. We know we need food, but we've got it. Shelter, no problem. Water, however, is just one of those areas that gets looked at topically, especially in an urban environment. But in the event of emergency - where there's a disruption to the water supply - how much is really enough? I mean, truly. Thankfully we're not the only ones asking that question.
Read MoreWhile preparedness is often highlighted by western governments through the use of preparedness holidays, I can't help but let out a light-hearted chuckle when I see the annual ad drive. It's the usual banter about food, water, and flashlights. But as quickly as it begins, the off-channel messaging ends and we're right back to square one. But what would happen if the educational system started early, if materials were made available by their governments, and people were aligned on everyday preparedness? Well, it would look a lot like South Korea.
Read MoreWhile urban preparedness requires a certain state of readiness, many of us find it hard to switch off. Media consumption, planning, and training all contribute to the success of the day - but like a TV that's always on, burnout becomes a very real possibility. When planning for the long haul, don't forget the preventative maintenance. A little really does go a long way.
Read MoreIn the opening moments of disaster, calculation often goes out the window. This may drive us to recognize the necessities of our plans but lose sight of critical details, such as what we have, what we need, and most importantly, where to go next. While planning is a critical component of urban preparedness - allowing us to rehearse and default - there's no better plan than the one we've mapped out. When in doubt, 'X' marks the spot.
Read MoreWhile 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.
Read MoreWe'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.
Read MoreFor most of us, urban preparedness is a theoretical solution to a possible outcome. It requires us to work the problem with a hope and a prayer, but with the understanding that we may be called upon in some manner of scale. Priorities differ for us all, but no matter your 'apocalypse' it's important to leave a little flex. Disasters are rarely as expected, and they don't much care for rigid plans.
Read MoreThere's no denying the importance of first aid in urban survival. Whether a small cut or something worth a call, having the tools to contend with a medical emergency cannot not be understated. But when we push into the dark corners of prolonged disaster, the realities of first aid can become a hard pill to swallow. Tourniquets and bandages be damned, the truth is rather grim.
Read MoreWhen met with a high-stress situation, we tend to get a little reptilian in thinking. Stress inoculation and training can take the edge off the action, but trying to recall a world of information is a whole other animal. Detailed plans, instructions, and lists can account for thousands of datapoints - information that is easily be forgotten and lost in the grey. When the details of urban survival are absolute, an educated guess can become a gamble. For pilots and other high performers, there's an easy way to hedge those bets. Make sure it's written down.
Read MoreDuring 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.
Read MoreA Knife is Never Shown - Only Felt.
Read MoreNo matter the medium, the pundits will all tell you the same thing about urban survival - you get out or get dead. While I think there's some truth in the statement, the rebar retreat has never been given a fair shake against its rural kin. The city is quick to erupt, so safety is a handsome target. But when we start to peel back the layers of security, it's easy to see that the common condo deserves far more credit than it gets.
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