How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in Massachusetts
Massachusetts might not be the first state you think of when the word riot comes to mind, but the reality is that chaos can erupt anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re in downtown Boston, Springfield, Worcester, or a small town off I-90, being caught unprepared in a civil disturbance could cost you everything. I’ve spent the better part of my life training in survival, self-defense, and situational awareness. I’m not writing this to scare you — I’m writing it to prepare you.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact methods I use to survive and stay safe when riots break out — especially in urban or semi-urban environments like many found across Massachusetts. We’ll dive into 8 practical self-defense skills, 3 DIY ways to create survival weapons, and top-level situational awareness tips you won’t find in your average survival manual.
Understanding the Threat: What Happens During a Riot?
A riot isn’t just a loud protest. When things get violent, you’ve got looters, arsonists, aggressive crowds, and people who don’t care about laws or your safety. Police may be overwhelmed or slow to respond. Roads get blocked. Cell towers may become overloaded. You’re on your own — at least for a while.
Your goal isn’t to win a fight. Your goal is to get home safe or secure a shelter where you can wait things out. That said, if you have to defend yourself or others, you better know how to do it right.
8 Self-Defense Skills Every Prepper Should Master During Civil Unrest
1. Situational Awareness (The Gray Man Principle)
This isn’t a fight skill — it’s a survival skill. Always scan your surroundings. Identify exits, crowd behavior, and choke points. Dress inconspicuously. Don’t wear tactical gear or expensive clothes. Blend in and don’t draw attention — become the gray man. People ignore what doesn’t stand out.
2. Verbal De-escalation
If someone’s targeting you in the chaos, use a calm, assertive tone. Many aggressors back off when they don’t get an emotional reaction. Learn how to control your body language. Keep your hands open, voice steady, and tone neutral.
3. Palm Heel Strike
If you’re forced to strike, use your palm, not your fist. It’s harder to injure yourself and delivers massive force. Aim for the chin, nose, or throat. This can buy you a few seconds to escape.
4. Elbow Strike
In close quarters (and riots are all about close contact), your elbows are devastating. Use them if someone grabs you or tries to push you to the ground. Horizontal or downward strikes can incapacitate a threat instantly.
5. Escape From Wrist Grabs
Whether it’s law enforcement pulling you into a crowd or a rioter trying to drag you, break their grip by rotating your wrist toward the weakest part of their grip (usually between thumb and fingers) and pulling away sharply.
6. Use of Barriers
A trash can lid, backpack, or even a car door can be a makeshift shield. Always look for something to place between you and a threat — don’t just rely on your fists.
7. Ground Defense Tactics
If you’re taken to the ground, cover your head, curl slightly to protect internal organs, and kick outward to create space. Get back on your feet quickly — the ground is a bad place to be during a riot.
8. Improvised Self-Defense Tools
Keys between fingers, a tactical flashlight, or even a rolled-up magazine can be defensive weapons. You don’t need to carry a weapon — you need to think like a weapon. Train with what’s around you.
3 DIY Survival Weapon Skills You Can Learn Today
Note: These weapons are strictly for emergency defense during extreme situations. Know your local laws.
1. PVC Pipe Baton
A 1-inch PVC pipe cut to 18–24 inches and filled with sand or nails makes a powerful non-lethal impact tool. Wrap it with duct tape for grip. It’s light, concealable, and effective.
How to make:
- Cut PVC to length
- Seal one end with a glued-on cap
- Fill with sand or nails
- Cap the other end and wrap it
2. Sling Weapon (Rock or Metal Projectile)
A braided paracord sling or even a basic one made with shoe laces and cloth can launch small projectiles at serious speed. It’s not just for hunting — it can be used to break windows, distract threats, or provide cover.
Tip: Practice your aim. This takes skill.
3. Improvised Spear or Pike
Take a broom handle or mop stick, whittle down the tip to a point or duct-tape a kitchen knife securely to the end. This gives you reach and keeps threats at a distance. It’s crude but effective when barricaded indoors or defending narrow hallways.
How to React When a Riot Breaks Out Near You
- Don’t Investigate – If you hear noise, shouting, or sirens, do not go check it out. Gather intel from a safe distance (police scanners, local radio, citizen apps like Citizen or PulsePoint).
- Get Off the Street – Riots move fast. Within minutes, peaceful demonstrations can turn violent. Get inside, lock doors, and barricade if needed. Stay away from windows.
- Secure Water and Food – Grocery stores are the first to get looted. You should already have at least a 72-hour supply. If not, now is not the time to be shopping. Use what you have.
- Have a Bug-Out Route – Know multiple exit routes from your location. Avoid highways. Take side roads. Avoid public transportation — it’s a magnet for angry crowds.
- Use Comms Wisely – Keep your phone charged, but turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to avoid tracking. Text rather than call to preserve battery. Consider a handheld radio or walkie-talkies with friends/family.
Final Tips for Massachusetts Residents
- Urban Dwellers: Boston, Cambridge, Lowell — your biggest threat is large, condensed crowds and mass transit gridlock. Know your building’s exits and nearby safe zones like parking garages or office lobbies.
- Suburban Areas: Riots may spill over if police get overwhelmed. Fortify windows, keep cars fueled, and avoid main roads. Trust your neighbors? Coordinate now.
- Rural Preppers: You’re less likely to see riot spillover, but keep your property secure and be ready to help urban family or friends bug out if needed.
Remember, Massachusetts has strict weapons laws. That’s why the key here is improvisation. Defense isn’t about going on offense — it’s about smart strategy, awareness, and speed.
Final Word From a Lifelong Prepper
You don’t have to be an ex-Marine, a martial arts expert, or a survival show contestant to get through a riot. But you do need to be prepared to move, think, and act decisively when others are panicking. The time to build your skills isn’t when you hear glass breaking — it’s now.
Start small. Learn the techniques. Train your family. Build that DIY baton. Run escape drills. Because when the time comes, your best weapon is the one you already know how to use.
Stay alert. Stay gray. Stay alive.
TheDailyChristian 