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Post by offtrail on May 16, 2012 20:39:08 GMT -7
I have no experience of the big city and if caught in one with a shtf situation I would be toast. So I am looking forward to some input as to how to get around and out of the city. The most important thing i believe would be to not look like an outsider. City folk can spot a country boy with no problem. How do you blend in and how do you stay out of trouble.
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Post by BORNTHATWAY on May 16, 2012 23:50:36 GMT -7
My irst answer is do not go the big city however none of us know what might take us anywhere depending on circumstances.
I guess like you I am a country person and probably would be spotted easily.
Hopefully you are in the big city and have friend there who can help you not be so vulnerable but we just do not know.
First thing I wpild try to fit in with proper clothing for the area and by all means always have a detailed map of the city in case you need to get out of city or to find shelter.
Maybe we have a city person on here or someone who used to live in one that will chime in with some good advice.
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Post by cowgirlup on May 17, 2012 4:50:01 GMT -7
Aside from dressing so you don't stand out the most important thing is the way you carry yourself. Don't be looking around like a tourist. You can use the windows of stores kind of as a mirror to see what's going on around you.
If you know you will be going to any city look over a map and have a few routes planned to get out. Once you know which way to go it might work to follow some railroad tracks out of town and avoid the roads. ( If you're on foot)
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Post by thywar on May 17, 2012 6:03:29 GMT -7
Having lived in several big cities, awareness and prior planning will always be your best friend. So if you were in a big city BEFORE you go, look it up, see the demographics, there should be some information about crime areas, you really want to know the 'bad' parts of town before you go. If you have friends there ask them what they consider to be the bad part. Railroads seldom go through good parts of town but that is the quick way out. Agreed, dress like you belong and carry yourself with confidence. CGU had a great suggestion about using store windows or car window reflections.. people look but they don't see. On your way out of town grab an extra bottle of water, candy bar etc. even driving keep your windows up and take the quickest path out. (of course if you're driving and you're a member here then you have a GHB and enough extra ammo to fight your way home, along with water and fire and food and shelter and the kitchen sink)
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Post by offtrail on May 17, 2012 7:32:17 GMT -7
In normal times you would have good and bad parts of town. But if the shtf i believe the whole city would be the bad part of town. Looters and gang members would be all over town plundering whatever and whoever they could. I also believe if you are carrying a pack it will make you a target. I believe my best chance of surviving the big city during a shtf situation......Stay out of the big city. Doing more thinking on this i believe water ways could be a quick way out of town. just beware of what water you decide to float in.
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Post by lonewufcry on May 17, 2012 7:36:17 GMT -7
Honestly now a days I see such a wide variety of people in the city both the big ones and smaller ones, that it doesn't surprise me to see anyone that looks "out of place". I know its different in other locations but here I sort of fit in with my boots and jeans, tees and ball cap. I do try to ensure that I have a idea of what the layout looks like.
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Post by Bjarki on May 18, 2012 7:36:15 GMT -7
Having traveled quite a bit, and been to quite a few large cities, I can say I have never considered meself looking like a tourist or out of towner (beside the backpack I have been carying around) not saying others haven't spotted me a mile away for being just that, it has just never been something I have considered.
When going to a new city I always find a map and try to memorize a good chunk of it, or at least the area I'm most likely to be hanging out in.
If you look confident in yourself then you will in most cases not attract trouble, the more insecure/paranoid/unconfident you look the more you will look like an easy prey for whatever thugs and scoundrels in the area. At least that's my take on it, and it hasn't failed me yet.
Knowing what trains, busses, ferries etc leave town in your general area is a good thing to know, if boarding a train, then a long distance train should be the one being boarded, less stops on the road means less chance of idiots coming on at other stations.
But then again in a sthf scenario, the only useful info I think I have given is the one about keeping a map or memorzing it.
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Post by Cwi555 on May 18, 2012 20:37:35 GMT -7
I've been in a number of countries, and states. I've been considering my observations of large cities, and their interactions.
Reading the other post, I notice a distinct blank spot. There are always watchers in every major city. They are usually very grey and don't stand out much. Their purposes vary depending upon what it is they are watching for. The nature of the watcher is telling upon the nature of the area of town your in.
In drug ridden areas, there is always someone standing in the shadows watching who is coming and going. In particular, they are watching for the police, and secondarily, for customers. They are usually thieves of opportunity as well. They share a nefarious purpose in common. Combined with the increase in cash shops, gang sign/tags, they are proof positive you are in the wrong place.
Tourist locations are a different grade, but full of pickpockets/thieves of opportunity. These people are watching for you to be off your guard.
In upscale areas, there are usually LE/personal guards/etc watching along with cameras. What they are watching/guarding is something to stay away from. If it's worth the expense of watching it, it's probably something to avoid.
In all, there are a host of watchers, in every major city on the planet. Their purposes vary, but they are there none the less.
How those people react to various changes, and what the camera's are focused on should be noted with care.
It is not easy to spot the people, they are long practiced in not being noted. You have to look without looking to note them. In the reflection of a car window, a building window, your peripheral vision, etc. They are grey, but they are not totally invisible.
Body language, hand signs, etc, all are potential tales on these people. Even how they walk can tell you a lot. Are they flowing or moving just fast enough that everyone slowly folds around them?
Malls are a good place to practice your observation skills. Pick any day when they are busy, find a seat in the food court, slowly drink your favorite beverage, clear your mind and pay attention to your peripheral vision. Don't let your hearing focus on any one thing, and just observe. Eventually, you'll pick up on someone focused on you.
Why does this matter? It matters because most of the time people walk blissfully by the wolves without realizing they are doing so. Folks who claim to practice situational awareness rarely actually are to the degree of noting these folks.
Now that may sound paranoid, but I ask that you try it before jumping to conclusions.
A few more thoughts for consideration.
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Post by offtrail on May 18, 2012 20:52:31 GMT -7
Paranoid I think not and for a country bumpkin like myself it makes perfect sense to me. This would be a good way to get the feel of the ebb and flow of the people around you. With a little practice it should become second nature to read people and new places. It's the same in nature some people just walk right through never seeing a thing. But sit down and be quit open the eyes and ears then you slowly start to see things around you. Great post cwi555
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Post by thywar on May 18, 2012 21:06:06 GMT -7
That's a great post CWI.. something not many of us would think of or consider but certainly right on the money about this.
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Post by scoper27 on May 18, 2012 23:04:43 GMT -7
It was probably a bad idea for me to go to NYC and wear a camo jacket around the whole time??
As far as finding my way around I didn't really have a problem (I consider NYC pretty easily to navigate since all the streets are in a nice lateral/horizontal grid for the most part)
But the getting out, fast, part? You might have some trouble in NYC. I might consider buying a kayak or canoe...
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Post by cajunlady87 on May 19, 2012 3:38:14 GMT -7
I believe if I were caught in a SHTF situation in a city, large or small, that being a prepper does give me an upperhand. Having these discussions and great feedback gives us much to think about. The first thing that needs to be done is to keep your head on straight but even more important is to plan ahead and of course become familiar with your surroundings as suggested. People from all walks of life are in the cities from the elite to the homeless. Most of the elite class have no idea what day it is much less how to react when things go awry. I'd take my chances with a homeless person, yes I know it's a risk, but they are soldiers in their own right. Escaping and evading will be crucial and that's part of their everyday life. Of course I"d try getting out on my own first but if I continue to hit roadblocks in an unknown city, then that would be my recourse. They're very much aware of all the little nooks and crannies to avoid detection and remain safe from outer elements. Not all of them are whacky, think of Pocomoonskyeyes' plight. Now there's a survivor!
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Post by geron on May 19, 2012 4:29:03 GMT -7
Sometime one HAS to go into the Mirkwood of the Big City. Gotta go to ATL and pickup my Son on Wed. Will have two GHB's with basic necessities for a 7-8 day Get Back Home. The advice in this thread is priceless and provides some comfort for the trip.
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Post by cajunlady87 on May 19, 2012 10:09:54 GMT -7
Geron, enjoy your trip and stay safe!
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Post by angelhelp on May 19, 2012 12:29:46 GMT -7
NYC is indeed somewhat navigable via a grid, but I'd want to have a subway map as well.
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