Unsung Heroes: The Nail Clipper

FIVE ABOVE SIX BELOW URBAN PREPAREDNESS BLOG

There's nothing quite like an afternoon hike - sunshine, fresh air, and the promise of warm shower. While proper footwear can make or break a stroll, wear and tear can become a real bear as the hours stretch to days. For those thinking about bugging out or fighting on, perhaps it's time to consider this small detail for your urban preparedness footcare plan.

I'm sure we've all come to dread the feeling of a hot spot, but thankfully the constant push of education has taught us to keep our feet cool, dry, and free of friction. But what most haven't experienced is the long slog. Days from home, and miles on the feet. A week on the trail can bring some unexpected changes - nail growth being one of them.

A cheap pair of clippers, and folding affair from Victorinox.

Unchecked, a long toe nail can quickly draw blood, and make a mile on your feet feel like ten. It's also important to consider the second-order consequences of an open wound on the foot - infection. In an environment that is hot, humid, and likely a little dirty, infection becomes an eventuality that we may not be prepared to address on the move and away from home.

While creature comforts are a given at home, there's no telling what you'll face down the line. As an unsung hero of preparedness, the oft-forgotten nail clipper should be a nonstarter for those looking to face hard times or tough trails ahead.

What items are you packing as part of your urban Survival footcare plan?

Sticking to the Menu When Building An Urban Preparedness 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.

The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered

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.