Survival For Those Who Live In Apartments... And Choose To Wait It Out!!

O.k I was born and raised in the South Bronx, NYC, I never knew about survival, unless it was on the streets, like protecting myself, and basic street smarts.

I have since then moved to a very very rural area, and have been looking into survival, as a single woman and a mother. There are TONS of things that I can do from here that people that I know in NY cant do. I understand that its pretty easy when you live in the great outdoors to give advice, but what happens when you remain in an apartment, or live in a city, building, apartment complex and cant get out?

What if you cant leave, does that mean that you are TRAPPED?? HELL NO!!

I would like to start a thread just for those that live in apartments, I will add things that you can do in your apartment, from safety, to cooking, heating, and clean water.

Besides you can start with a bug-out-bag, just in case you get an opportunity to leave. This should not be used while you remain indoors. your BOB should be for outdoors. If you can set up an area, such as a closet, or underneath your sinks, or even stored under your bed/beds, so that NO ONE knows what you have, and you always know that your safe.

Everything I will add can be bought and kept and used in your apartment.

Lets start with the importance of duct tape. I am fully aware that many have this already, but lets be honest its expensive, and you may get the cheaper one. If you do, use that for non-emergencies and get the good one for "emergency purposes only". I would recommend enough to seal doors and windows, I will tell you why in a bit. (Also the more expensive ones, can be removed and reused, and will remain sticky, the cheaper ones wont).

Try to find the most comfortable room in you house, the one that you will be ok with staying for long periods, and preferably away from where you will be going to the bathroom (I dont have to tell you why).

Lets talk security, I am aware that most that live in apartments already have decent locks, if you dont.. get some. For those with fire escapes they have a gates for those in most cities they already have them, make sure that you have a good lock (more then one), one with a combination, and one with a key.

Here are some gates if you dont have one startpage.com...

Here are a few idea on how and where to hide things around your home. Including light switches that are empty, can be opened by you, and you can hide extra keys, and cash/jewelry in them livesafely.org...

There also mini door and window chimes, very inexpensive and you can put them everywhere www.amazon.com... it makes the same chime sound when you go into a store.

As far as food IMHO canned food that doesn't taste bad cold is a good thing, and doesn't smell. Now here is also where the duct tape comes in. If you can find an area to cook food and keep the smell to a minimum thats even better. Now you may ask, how can I cook if the electric is out?

Well there are 2 ways, and both can be done in an apartment.

One is solar cooking. WHAT!! YOU SAY!!

There are different size stoves that can be made from large to small enough that it can be made with a shoe box. Now the shoe box I suggest for those with kids that require to eat different foods, as they are the hardest to please. Here is the link to the many different styles, sizes, of solar stoves, and many recipes. solarcooking.wikia.com...:Solar_cooker_plans

How could I use them, you ask. Well if you live on a high floor, and can take them to the roof, you can cook all day with them. Or set them out on a window sill. gradinavisata.files.wordpress.com... this shows a small garden, but you can place a shoe box solar stove the same way, just find the window with the best light. BTW, solar cooking produces no smoke.

Now if you live on a lower floor (mind you this can be used by everyone) and need either heat/light/food this is perfect and can be made and keep. Here is a video with coffee can stoves, these can be lit with wood splints they cost about $5.00 for over 500. Also these are almost completely smoke, free, and just the initial smoke from the small sticks will produce smoke. There are many different videos for these, depending on the size you want.

Wood splints Here they can be ordered 500 pack for $5.55
sargentwelch.com...
You can also purchase them at any hardware store.

Coffee can rocket stove #2

I chose this video, because you can get the premise of it, and design it anyway you want.
With easy access to fire and heat, and light, you can boil water, keep food, keep washed up, etc,.

This can be used indoors or outdoors.

Now bathroom. I dont really see the water being shut off in a big city, but it is possible. For bathroom needs, and ideas to keep it from getting out of control, I will add a link. Also just to be safe, if you think at any point and time your water may be shut off fill your tubs, sinks, and any containers ASAP, including washing machines.
Waste Disposal
www.thenewsurvivalist.com...

Also for extra low light we have glow sticks that can run for up to 24 hours. I am going to say this, but I dont think it should be used unless 100% needed. I hate to see people use them for 1 hour, and they are wasted. If you need temporary light, try to prepare for more then one thing to be done at this time, so that nothing is wasted.

I think that these stoves, especially if you have more them one can take care of many many problems associated with a SHTF scenario.

I will add more in a bit, but I know that one of the hardest and scariest things for many people in the city, is the fear that they cannot prepare, or do some of these things for themselves.

Of course there are pros and cons for a larger number of people, but unless someone you truly trust, try to keep you survival info quiet, especially if your in a largely populated area.

I hope some of this help, and as I said I will add more in a while.

Peace, NRE,

First and foremost- high five from one kick *** single Mom to another. So nice to see others actually thinking about this and planning.

The only thing you are missing is firearms. You need them, seriously. I started off with a Ruger sp 101 .357 magnum and I changed the grip for my small hands (only 5'2" and 110) Recoil isn't to bad, it's small enough to carry concealed. Usually beginners are comfortable with a .38 Special. Unless you liked to knocked to you ***
More important that you can hit a target.
I live in NH and we have no gun laws in comparison to the rest of the US but you should look into it. Very important.

Gread topic, I have never lived in the city so it seems like amazing suggestions to me.
Great post S&F for you.

EDIT- you can always join me if the shtf and you want to bug out. I'm only 6 driving hours from you

Great info and S&F!

But:

I dont really see the water being shut off in a big city, but it is possible.

The water WILL be shut off or the pumps and machinery will simply stop running (The water plant employees aren't going to stick around) so it is always best to prepare before. Fill that tub with water and anything else that can hold water. Jugs, bowls etc. Water will be the most important shortage you have.

Thanks!

Candles,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,You can never forget the candles.....I am thinking about buying some wicks so I can re-use the wax after the wick has burned down.......I have several jars of burnt down wicks but alot of wax left....You can melt it on your handy stove.............But I have three duel fuel lanterns and a two burner colemean stove that I got for a steal........You can always syphon gas out of the vehicle for hours worth of light or a stove.

Just an idea......

You could write an entire page on sewer gas and sink vents.


I keep both backpack and camping stoves, and a few months of coleman fuel.

I cook with one of these. If you think your going to get by on canned food.....your life will suck.

This give me the ability to process small game and cook on the go like a crock pot. Stays warm 6 hrs and cooks at 160 degrees for 4. put everything in and water and then boil once. It crockpots the food most of the day. Add a bit more water and boil again at 4 hrs to get an 8hr slow cook.

This is what the real folks in the know, use to cook and hide the food odors. I have a 1.5 liter, and it bungies onto my pack if needed. Bought it from these people. Can recommend the link as a reputable seller.

getpreparedstuff.ecrater.com...

People who think they are going to be feeding families in an urban environment should spend the $300 for a large one or risk being over run in the first 3 weeks.

I also keep a couple months of daytrex and other lifeboat type rations, as well as MREs so I can pick and choose when I take the cooking risk. Or if I bug I can fire it off and have food cooking on the move.

You will likely need to secure your windows in a major event.

In an apartment you can measure the walls around the windows 2" larger then the window Have plywood panels cut and if needed number them. Get a couple pounds of long self tapping screws. These will drill through the drywall's steel corner cap and sink into the 2x6 window framing. Use wide washers with small holes so the panels wont kick out easy by having the screw heads pull through the plywood. Add a couple more puonds of drywall screws if you want to add spikes to the exterior of the plywood panels. Fill the windows sills with broken glass and then gun the panels up with a rechargable screw gun or drill. If you have blinds between the windows and plywood close them. Make the drywall screws a surprise.


Stack the playwood behind the sofa out of sight till needed. or under a bed.


This turns your regular glass windows into an audible alarm, should someone try to break in, and gives them another headache to try to get through when they face the drywall screws on their side. Valuable extra minutes to prepare a defense or repel the attack.

When things calm down a little spackle and paint hides things well.

I'm confused... Is this for the zombie apocalypse or what? I'm not too sure that staying locked inside the same place for long periods of time is the best bet in such an event. I don't think there will be any "waiting it out".

You did do a very good job with your post though.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


I'm sorry but let us be realistic. Those apartment dwellers, those that stay either individually locked into their units or those that band together as floor unit or as an entire building unit are doing nothing but delaying the inevitable.

The inevitable will be the roaming bands of brutes that survive on killing and taking. In short, pure aggression. That is the key aspect to understand, aggression versus passive cowering. Guess who wins?.

Can you devise a plan that can resist a concrete parking curb thumping through your door, fire bombs and bullets through your window while you have no electrical power or water? Nothing you can do at such times will allow you to live through that time, no stores of food, canned water or supply of bullets will outlast the hordes that will be destined to come crashing through your door.

The city will belong to them. To them, you will be merely a waiting victim, hopefully one with supplies that they can use. No one will be there to save you, and you won't be able to save yourself

. Will you be better off in the country? Perhaps, if it is beyond the range of a march of hungry brutes. But at least you may have a chance of surviving on your wits rather than waiting, virtually helpless in fear.

I urge people to rent the movie The Road" and study it. That scenerio depicted is about as real and dismal as it can get.

reply to post by Aliensun


Thats an extreme acct. Generally we see this position taken by folks who have either never been around real rioting, warfare or have no clue that there are a series if die offs in an extreme situation.

1st die off is in 7 days. 2nd die off is at 30 days.

Question. What are they caused by? If anyone can answer that then there is discussion otherwise armchair thining and theater movies dont match up to the real world.

The Road is doubtful.

Lights out and 1 second after would be far closer to correct for anything short of full on nuclear conflict.

ADVICE: DO NOT STAY IN THE CITY!!!!

As a single mother of three, I was forced to learn plumbing, auto mechanics, electrical, carpentry, etc., etc, etc...... Camping, fishing, survival 101 because there wasn't a male father figure to teach those things to the kids (or me).
I admire you women out there who sacrifice everything to raise your children and teach them the basics of survival. There is a way to keep them untarnished by society as well as sly as a serpent. I did it. It was hard, however I would never change a thing.
Here are a few ways to get yourself, and your children prepared, and at a low cost.

1. Go camping. Rough it. Let them carry some of the equipment in their backpacks. Each knowing that they're an important part of surviving in the woods.
Things to bring:
tent with poles (pack the tent in one kid's backpack and split the poles up between the rest)
fishing line and hooks (let them find the bait)
let them make trail mix (mueseli is great and light weight)
teach them how to make potable water (iodine tabs or chlorine)
bring a roll or two of TP, (no ladies or gentlemans rooms in the woods)
Sterno and protected matches preferbly in a zip lock bag (or just the matches and use wood for a fire)
(how to cook on sticks)
First Aid kit (show them fiirst aid)
Sleep roll, mat or bag (make them carry it themselves)
large rubber bands (these are for handmade slingshots)

The Dollar Tree has all kinds of stuff:
2 rain ponchos
batteries
flashlight
wind up radio/flashlight
boxed matches
mueseli
fishing hooks
line
candles (which are great to start a fire on damp wood)

You will be surprised at how much fun you have. You will also be amazed at how much the kids are willing to rough it and how well they learn. They even come up with ideas of their own, let them!

We did this together and my kids who are all grown now, still talk about all the times we did it. Once we were poured on all night in the freezing rain but we survived. That's the time we had the most fun! They still talk about it.

reply to post by Aliensun


I agree... I I've in a low income apartment housing and though these tips are nice for the occasions when the weather knocks power out for a couple days..weeks is a differ story, I certainly don't trust the crack heads in the next apartment not to set this place ablaze... I would be more interested in a fourm That discusses how and when to move around in a time of distress (ie no fuel for cars ect.) as I have family that own their own homes not to far from here.Text Red

reply to post by moondancer811


we don't think about that in Russia

you do not need a gun, you need ammunition because a "gun" aka zip-gun can be made very easy, but ammo is a problem....also how about traps?!

The last few posters need to read and then re-read the title.

The assumption being you could wait out social unrest and other issues, and not be looking at a forced bug out. What can you do to be ready for issues that would be short duration, and recoverable.

i am legend is just what you will be - - - while the rural dwellers live long and prosper stayin off the main path

Originally posted by DaughterOfARevolver
reply to post by Aliensun

 

I agree... I I've in a low income apartment housing and though these tips are nice for the occasions when the weather knocks power out for a couple days..weeks is a differ story, I certainly don't trust the crack heads in the next apartment not to set this place ablaze... I would be more interested in a fourm That discusses how and when to move around in a time of distress (ie no fuel for cars ect.) as I have family that own their own homes not to far from here.Text Red

Its not likely you will be able to stay in an apt for very long. Disease and other issues will force your move sooner or later. If its a short duration event, and you see soldiers deployed to keep order in the first 10 days, chances are you can hole up and stay past the problems. People will leave in waves.

1. Before the event takes place many people watching the signs will be on the road and moving to other locations.
2. At the start of the event the masses will hit the roads. and about 60% will be robbed of their supplies and killed in the traffic jams. Count on low lifes and scumballs waiting along the road to take what people have.
3. At 6-7 days, the ones in the know have already let their canaries out into the mine shafts and seen what has happened in each direction from them. They will choose the paths of flight that have the lowest risk after watching their test subjects accept their fate. Knowing what has happened will give them a key advantage while managing their own risk to the lowest point. They also know they need to be long gone by day 10, because armed criminal gangs will have formed and begin to hunt. If no soldiers, then they are the new law.
4. Some will stay and live in the shadows if they have the skills to do so. Hidden rooms or other such places no one will find them in.Eventually they will also leave within several weeks but by then there will be a complete reset of social structure by the criminal element and they will have little chance of getting away.

So you have to decide. Will you be in group 1 or will you be tough enough to be in group 3. The other options are not options, but penalties.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


I was born and patially raised in Los Angeles cali. at age 10 my family moved to the san bernardino county, victorville, very small community at the time but has sense grown to be a mini Los Angeles. I left the big cities 24 years ago to never go back, ( sometimes to visit my mother and siblings once a year) I live 150 away from the nearest big city and there is a massive desert inbetween me and this big city, once you get to the small city I live further into the desert by 26 miles. on 150 acres live about 25 families. underground water, installed hand pump onto the well, anyhow I have my bug in bag sos to speak here. Im not leaving I have a lake and water wild animals and stored supplies. I would be so very very scarred if I am in a big city when the shtf. It will be pure chaos and horrible. nothing can stop a hungry unprepared unaware irrational person, nothing.

Here is a good little twilight zone clip.....shelter skelter.....

www.youtube.com...

Originally posted by vasnas
reply to post by moondancer811

 

we don't think about that in Russia

What don't you think about in Russia? Forgive my stupidity, I am feeling a little slow today.

reply to post by Shadowalker


idk I would probally leave in wave one I can't see people breaking outta of the norm until a couple days go by and the gravity of the situation really hits them... still I would travel the unbeaten path for saftey.