Top 10 Killers in America (Non-Health Related) and How to Outlive Them with Prepper Wisdom

I’m a prepper. That means I stock food, rotate water, check batteries twice a year, and assume that if something can go wrong, it will—usually at the worst possible moment.

But here’s the thing most folks don’t like to think about: the majority of Americans don’t die from mysterious diseases or dramatic movie-style disasters. They die from ordinary, everyday, painfully preventable events.

The kind that happen because someone was distracted, unprepared, or assumed “it won’t happen to me.”

This article isn’t meant to scare you (okay, maybe a little). It’s meant to make you harder to kill. Below are the top 10 most common non-health-related causes of death in the United States—and practical, prepper-approved ways to avoid each one.

Strap in. Literally. That’s tip number one.


1. Motor Vehicle Accidents (AKA: Death by Commuting)

Cars are the single most dangerous tool most Americans use daily—and we treat them like comfy metal sofas with cup holders.

Why it kills so many people:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk or impaired drivers
  • Poor vehicle maintenance

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Wear your seatbelt. Every time. No exceptions.
  • Assume every other driver is actively trying to kill you.
  • Don’t text. That meme can wait.
  • Keep your vehicle maintained like it’s an escape vehicle—because one day it might be.
  • Carry a roadside kit: flares, flashlight, water, first-aid, jumper cables.

Prepper rule: If you’re behind the wheel, you’re on patrol.


2. Accidental Poisoning & Overdose (Not Just “Drugs”)

This category includes illegal drugs, prescription misuse, household chemicals, and even carbon monoxide.

Why it happens:

  • Mixing medications
  • Improper storage of chemicals
  • Poor ventilation
  • “Eyeballing” dosages (never eyeball anything except suspicious strangers)

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
  • Label all chemicals clearly.
  • Lock meds away from kids—and adults who “just grab whatever.”
  • Read labels like your life depends on it… because it might.

A prepper doesn’t trust fumes, powders, or mystery pills. Ever.


3. Falls (Yes, Gravity Is Still the Enemy)

Falls kill more Americans than fires and drownings combined, especially as people age.

Common scenarios:

  • Ladders
  • Slippery stairs
  • Bathroom wipeouts
  • “I don’t need help” moments

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Use ladders correctly. No standing on buckets.
  • Install grab bars in bathrooms. Pride heals slower than broken bones.
  • Wear shoes with traction.
  • Don’t rush. Gravity loves impatience.

Survival mindset: If you fall, you’ve surrendered the high ground—to the floor.


4. Fire and Smoke Inhalation

Fire doesn’t care how tough you are or how expensive your couch was.

Why it kills:

  • Faulty wiring
  • Unattended cooking
  • Candles
  • Smoking indoors
  • No escape plan

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Install and test smoke detectors regularly.
  • Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen and garage.
  • Never leave cooking unattended.
  • Practice fire escape routes with your family.

Rule of flame: If you smell smoke, you’re already behind schedule.


5. Firearms Accidents (Negligence, Not the Tool)

Firearms themselves aren’t the issue—carelessness is.

Common causes:

  • Improper storage
  • Failure to check chamber status
  • Treating firearms like toys

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Store firearms locked and unloaded when not in use.
  • Treat every firearm as loaded.
  • Never point at anything you don’t intend to destroy.
  • Educate everyone in the household on firearm safety.

A prepper respects tools. Especially the loud ones.


6. Drowning (Even Strong Swimmers Die This Way)

You don’t need the ocean to drown. Pools, lakes, rivers, and even bathtubs qualify.

Why it happens:

  • Overconfidence
  • Alcohol
  • Poor supervision
  • No flotation devices

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Never swim alone.
  • Wear life jackets when boating.
  • Supervise children constantly.
  • Learn basic water rescue techniques.

Remember: Water doesn’t negotiate.


7. Workplace Accidents

Construction sites, warehouses, farms, and factories are full of hazards—many ignored until it’s too late.

Common issues:

  • Skipping safety gear
  • Fatigue
  • Rushing
  • Improvised “shortcuts”

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Wear PPE. All of it.
  • Follow lockout/tagout procedures.
  • Speak up about unsafe conditions.
  • Don’t rush—speed kills more than boredom ever will.

A prepper values fingers, limbs, and spines. Try living without them sometime.


8. Suffocation & Choking

Food, small objects, confined spaces—oxygen deprivation is fast and unforgiving.

Why it happens:

  • Eating too quickly
  • Poor chewing
  • Unsafe sleeping environments
  • Confined spaces without ventilation

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Learn the Heimlich maneuver.
  • Cut food into manageable pieces.
  • Keep small objects away from children.
  • Never enter confined spaces without airflow testing.

Breathing is non-negotiable. Guard it fiercely.


9. Homicide (Situational Awareness Matters)

While less common than accidents, violence still claims lives every year.

Risk factors:

  • Poor situational awareness
  • Escalating confrontations
  • Unsafe environments
  • Alcohol-fueled decisions

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Trust your instincts.
  • Avoid unnecessary confrontations.
  • Learn basic self-defense.
  • Keep your head on a swivel in public.

The best fight is the one you never show up to.


10. Extreme Weather Exposure

Heat, cold, storms, and floods kill more people than most realize.

Common mistakes:

  • Underestimating conditions
  • Lack of preparation
  • Ignoring warnings

Prepper Survival Tips:

  • Monitor weather forecasts.
  • Have emergency kits ready.
  • Dress for conditions.
  • Know when to shelter and when to evacuate.

Weather doesn’t care about optimism. Prepare accordingly.


Final Prepper Thoughts: Survival Is a Daily Habit

Most people imagine survival as something dramatic—zombies, EMPs, or alien invasions. But the truth is much less cinematic.

Survival is:

  • Wearing your seatbelt
  • Installing detectors
  • Slowing down
  • Paying attention

The goal isn’t to live in fear. The goal is to live long enough to enjoy the good stuff—family, freedom, and a pantry that’s always suspiciously well stocked.

Stay safe. Stay prepared. And don’t let preventable nonsense take you out early.

Healing A Broken Bone in the Apocalypse When All the Doctors Are Dead

In the apocalypse, nobody is coming to save you.

No ambulance. No urgent care. No orthopedic surgeon with clean scrubs and a shiny smile. Just you, whatever gear you bothered to stockpile before the world fell apart, and a broken bone that doesn’t care about your feelings.

This is the part of preparedness nobody wants to talk about because it’s ugly, painful, slow, and unforgiving. You can stock ammo, water filters, and freeze-dried food until your garage collapses, but one bad fall, one wrong step, or one unlucky encounter, and suddenly your survival fantasy gets real uncomfortable.

This article isn’t optimistic. It isn’t gentle. And it sure as hell isn’t pretending things will “work out.” This is about damage control when civilization is gone and the human body is still fragile as ever.

If that makes you uncomfortable, good. It should have motivated you years ago.


First, Accept the Brutal Reality of a Broken Bone

A broken bone in the end times is not an inconvenience. It’s a survival event.

You’re slower. Weaker. Louder. Less useful. More vulnerable. Every predator—human or otherwise—can sense weakness, and injury broadcasts it like a radio signal. Anyone telling you otherwise is lying to themselves or selling something.

Healing is possible, yes. Humans have been doing it long before hospitals existed. But healing well is not guaranteed. Infection, poor alignment, chronic pain, permanent disability—these are all on the table now.

So before we even talk about “healing,” understand the goal:

Stay alive long enough for the bone to mend.

Not “walk it off.” Not “power through.” Survival doesn’t care about your pride.


Step One: Stop Making It Worse (The Most Ignored Rule)

The moment a bone breaks, the damage isn’t finished. Every unnecessary movement, every attempt to “test it,” every stubborn step you take can turn a survivable fracture into a crippling one.

In the apocalypse, stupidity kills faster than starvation.

At a basic level, your priority is immobilization. That means keeping the injured area from moving in ways it shouldn’t. Bones heal when they’re stable. They don’t heal when you keep grinding them together because you “don’t have time to rest.”

If you break a leg and keep walking on it, congratulations—you’ve just volunteered for lifelong pain, assuming you live that long.

You don’t need fancy gear to understand the principle: movement equals damage.


Alignment: Because Crooked Healing Is Still Broken

Here’s another truth preppers hate hearing: bones heal in the position they’re held.

If a fracture heals out of alignment, that’s your new normal. No corrective surgery later. No physical therapist. No redo.

In a functioning world, doctors use imaging and traction to line bones up properly. In the end times, you’re working blind. That means gentle correction only and only if it’s obvious something is severely out of place.

This is where ego gets people killed.

Forcing bones into place without training can cause nerve damage, blood loss, or turn a closed fracture into an open one. If the limb is reasonably straight and circulation is intact, stabilizing it where it is may be the lesser evil.

Perfect healing is a luxury of civilization. Survival healing is about avoiding catastrophe.


Immobilization Without Modern Comforts

No, you won’t have a fiberglass cast and a nurse signing it in Sharpie.

You’ll have sticks, boards, torn clothing, duct tape if you were smart, and whatever else you scavenged before the shelves went bare. The principle is simple even if the execution is miserable: support the bone and limit motion above and below the break.

Immobilization isn’t about squeezing tight. It’s about support. Cut off circulation and you’ll trade a fracture for tissue death, which is a fast track to infection and amputation—assuming anyone is left who knows how.

Check circulation. Check sensation. Check color. And then check again later. The body changes, swelling happens, and what was “fine earlier” can become deadly overnight.

This is not a “set it and forget it” situation.


Infection: The Silent Killer Nobody Plans For

You don’t die from the break. You die from what comes after.

In a collapsed world, infection is the real threat. Dirt, blood, open wounds, compromised immune systems, stress, poor nutrition—it’s a perfect storm. Even a closed fracture can become a problem if swelling breaks skin or blisters form.

Cleanliness becomes sacred. Water that’s safe enough to drink is barely safe enough to clean wounds, but you use what you have. Dirty wounds kill. Period.

Antibiotics, if you have them, become priceless. But misuse them and they’re gone forever—or worse, ineffective when you truly need them. This isn’t a pharmacy with automatic refills. Every pill is a strategic decision.

If you never stocked medical supplies because they weren’t “cool,” congratulations again. You planned for gunfights and forgot about gravity.


Nutrition: You Can’t Heal on Empty

Here’s something most survival fantasies ignore: bone healing requires resources.

Calories. Protein. Minerals. Hydration.

Your body doesn’t magically fix itself because you want it to. It needs raw materials, and in the apocalypse, those materials are scarce. Healing a fracture is metabolically expensive. If you’re already malnourished, the process slows to a crawl or stops altogether.

That means food allocation matters. The injured person may need more, not less. Yes, that feels unfair when everyone is hungry. Survival isn’t fair.

Weak nutrition leads to weak healing, which leads to prolonged immobility, which leads to increased risk. Everything compounds. The world is very good at punishing mistakes.


Time: The One Resource You Can’t Rush

Bones take weeks to months to heal under ideal conditions. The apocalypse is not ideal.

There is no shortcut. No hack. No motivational speech that speeds up cellular repair. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling nonsense.

Rest is mandatory. Movement is calculated. Pain is information, not something to ignore. Every day you’re injured is a day you’re less capable of defending yourself, gathering supplies, or relocating.

This is why injury avoidance is the most underrated survival skill. You don’t get bonus points for bravery when you fall off a ladder and break your arm because you were rushing.

The end times reward caution, not heroics.


Mental Health: The Part No One Wants to Admit Matters

Lying still while the world burns does things to your head.

Anger. Depression. Paranoia. Hopelessness. All normal. All dangerous.

A broken bone doesn’t just weaken the body; it messes with morale. And morale affects decision-making. Bad decisions get you killed faster than bad luck.

Staying mentally engaged—planning, observing, maintaining routines—can matter as much as physical healing. Giving up because “what’s the point” is how people fade out quietly.

The world may be over, but you’re not done yet. Not unless you decide you are.


When Healing Isn’t Perfect (And It Often Won’t Be)

Here’s the bitter end of the truth: you may never fully recover.

Reduced mobility. Chronic pain. Limited strength. That might be the price of survival. In a functioning society, that’s tragic but manageable. In a collapsed one, it changes your role permanently.

Adaptation becomes the new survival skill. You do what you can. You stop pretending life will go back to “normal.” Normal is dead. You’re living in the aftermath.

Those who survive long-term aren’t the strongest. They’re the ones who adjust fastest to the damage they’ve taken.


Final Thoughts from an Angry, Tired Prepper

I’m not writing this to scare you. I’m writing it because most people refuse to think past the fantasy phase.

Broken bones don’t care about your political opinions, your stockpile size, or how many forums you argued on. They happen quietly, randomly, and at the worst possible time.

If the apocalypse comes—and history says something always does eventually—your survival won’t hinge on how tough you are. It will hinge on how well you prepared for being fragile.

Because in the end times, the world isn’t just dangerous.

It’s indifferent.

And it will break you without a second thought if you give it the chance.

Generator Safety in a SHTF Scenario: Don’t Be Dumb, Stay Alive

If you’re the kind of clueless person who thinks running a gas-powered generator inside your house or garage during a blackout is a cute idea, congratulations—you’re about five seconds away from becoming another Darwin Award statistic. I don’t care if you survive or not. But for the tiny fraction of you with a shred of common sense, I’m going to lay down some brutal truths about generator safety during extended power outages. You’re welcome in advance.

First things first: generators are not toys. They are fire-breathing, fuel-guzzling machines that will kill you faster than a stampeding herd of zombies if you don’t treat them with the respect they deserve. This is especially true when the grid goes down for days—or weeks. People think they can just throw a generator in the corner of the garage, crank it up, and watch their lights come back on like nothing happened. That’s how people die. Let me be crystal clear: never, ever, under any circumstances, operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed space.

Carbon monoxide doesn’t care about your feelings. It doesn’t care that you’re trying to binge-watch TV while the rest of the neighborhood is in darkness. It’s a silent killer. The moment you inhale it, your brain gets robbed of oxygen. You collapse. You die. Your family probably does too, and the paramedics? Good luck—they won’t make it in time if the outage is widespread. So if you think it’s okay to run a generator in your basement, just do everyone a favor and stay in the house. Alone. Forever.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s talk placement. Generators need to breathe. They need fresh air. They need space. Put them outside, at least 20 feet from your house, doors, and windows. Not 15. Not 19. Twenty. And make sure the exhaust is pointing away from any living area. Think of it like a dragon: you wouldn’t put a dragon in your living room and expect your furniture to survive. Treat your generator the same way.

Fuel storage is another topic that seems to blow the minds of every amateur prepper. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable nightmare waiting to explode, and somehow people think it’s fine to store five gallons in the kitchen. No. Just no. Use approved fuel containers, keep them outside, and never store them near an open flame—or your generator. And don’t even get me started on running a generator with an empty tank. These machines don’t just quit politely—they sputter, backfire, and sometimes throw flames. Keep fuel levels consistent, and refuel only when the generator is off and cooled down.

Extension cords. Yes, those flimsy pieces of crap you think are fine for a few hours of use. They’re not. If your extension cord isn’t rated for the load you’re putting on it, you might as well be lighting your house on fire yourself. Invest in heavy-duty, grounded cords. Don’t cheap out. You want to light your house with electricity, not fire. Period.

Load management is another area where people fail miserably. A generator has limits, and exceeding them is a fast track to disaster. Don’t even think about powering your entire house unless you have a monster generator designed for it. Start with essential appliances: refrigerator, freezer, a few lights, and maybe a sump pump if you live somewhere wet. Everything else can wait—or burn. You need to know what your generator can handle, and do not push it beyond its rated capacity. Overload it, and you’ll either destroy the generator or electrocute yourself. And I don’t care which happens—you won’t survive either scenario if you’re unlucky.

Maintenance is another thing people ignore until it’s too late. A generator sitting in the corner of your shed is useless if it won’t start when everything goes dark. Change the oil, clean the air filter, check the spark plug, and inspect fuel lines. Treat your generator like a war machine, because in a long-term power outage, that’s exactly what it is. A dead generator is as useful as a cardboard box filled with hope.

Noise. Yes, generators are loud. Too bad. This isn’t a spa. If someone complains, punch them. Or better yet, keep the generator as far away from neighbors as possible—because if the world has gone to hell, the last thing you need is some entitled Karen whining about noise while you’re trying to survive.

There’s one more thing most people don’t consider: security. A generator is a juicy target for looters during prolonged outages. Don’t leave it lying around like a shiny toy. Lock it up if possible, or at least make it difficult for thieves to carry it away. The last thing you need is to survive a week without power, only to have your generator stolen. If you live in a high-risk area, a chain and padlock might just save your life—or at least your ability to refrigerate that leftover food.

And for the love of whatever deity you pretend to follow, know how to operate your generator before the lights go out. Read the manual. Know the controls. Understand how to shut it down quickly in an emergency. Ignorance is not bliss—it’s a ticket to the morgue.

Let’s sum this up, because I know some of you morons need everything spelled out. Here’s the brutal checklist for surviving a prolonged power outage with a generator:

  1. Outdoor placement only – Minimum 20 feet from structures, exhaust away from living spaces.
  2. Never indoors – Basements, garages, or any enclosed areas are death traps.
  3. Safe fuel storage – Approved containers, outside, away from flames, generator off and cooled before refueling.
  4. Heavy-duty cords – Rated for the load, grounded, don’t cheap out.
  5. Load management – Only run essential appliances, never exceed rated capacity.
  6. Regular maintenance – Oil changes, air filter cleaning, spark plug inspection, fuel line checks.
  7. Noise tolerance – Loud is unavoidable, so deal with it.
  8. Security measures – Lock it up or secure it to prevent theft.
  9. Know the machine – Learn operation and emergency shutdown before the blackout.
  10. Carbon monoxide vigilance – If you smell exhaust, evacuate. Do not test your luck.

Take this seriously, because I don’t care about your excuses. In the end, survival isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation, smarts, and being ruthless enough to follow the rules while everyone else screws up. If you fail to respect your generator, the world will make a swift decision about your survival—and spoiler alert: it won’t be kind.

Generators are a lifeline in a SHTF scenario, but they’re also lethal weapons if mishandled. Handle them with respect. Follow the rules. Don’t be an idiot. And if you do die because you thought running a generator in your basement was a good idea… well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

9 Months Pregnant and Stranded on a Deserted Island? How Can a Woman Survive After Giving Birth

Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: if you’re nine months pregnant and stranded on a deserted island, you are already in a catastrophic failure scenario. This is not a “finding yourself” moment. This is not a vacation gone wrong. This is nature reminding you that comfort, modern medicine, and safety are luxuries—fragile ones.

If you’re looking for reassurance, soft language, or motivational fluff, you’re in the wrong place. Survival doesn’t care about your feelings, your birth plan, or what your prenatal yoga instructor told you. Survival cares about preparation, adaptability, and ruthless prioritization.

This article assumes one thing: rescue is not immediate, and no magical help is coming before the baby does. If you want the truth about how a woman might survive pregnancy and childbirth alone on a deserted island—and how most people would fail—read on.


The Reality Check: Pregnancy Is Already a Medical Risk

Pregnancy is not a superpower. It’s a biological gamble that usually pays off because of modern medicine. Strip that away, and the odds get ugly fast.

At nine months pregnant, a woman faces:

  • Limited mobility
  • Higher caloric and hydration needs
  • Increased risk of infection
  • Risk of hemorrhage during birth
  • Risk of obstructed labor
  • Risk to the baby if delivery goes wrong

Now remove:

  • Doctors
  • Midwives
  • Sterile tools
  • Pain management
  • Blood transfusions
  • Emergency surgery

What you’re left with is a primitive birth scenario—the kind humanity survived sometimes, not reliably.

Survival here isn’t about heroics. It’s about reducing risk where possible and accepting that some things are completely out of your control.


Immediate Priorities: Before Labor Starts

If labor hasn’t started yet, you are on borrowed time. Every hour before contractions begin matters.

1. Shelter Is Non-Negotiable

Exposure kills faster than hunger.

You need a shelter that is:

  • Elevated (to avoid flooding and insects)
  • Shaded (to prevent overheating)
  • Dry
  • Wind-protected

This is not the time to build something pretty. Build something functional. A crude lean-to with palm fronds is better than sleeping in the open like an idiot.

Labor can last hours—or days. You do not want to be squatting in the rain while contractions tear through you.

2. Fire: Your Only Real Tool

Fire is survival currency.

Fire provides:

  • Warmth
  • Ability to boil water
  • Sterilization (as much as possible)
  • Light during nighttime labor
  • Psychological stability (yes, that matters)

If you can’t reliably start and maintain a fire, your survival odds drop dramatically. No fire means contaminated water, untreated wounds, and hypothermia risk after birth.

3. Water Is Life (And Death)

Dehydration during late pregnancy and labor is a fast track to disaster.

You need:

  • A consistent freshwater source
  • The ability to boil water

Rain catchment, springs, or slow-moving streams are your best options. Ocean water will kill you faster than thirst.

Boil everything. Diarrhea or infection in late pregnancy is a death sentence without medical care.


Food: You Are Fueling Two Lives

Forget cravings. Forget comfort food. This is about survival nutrition.

A pregnant woman needs:

  • Calories
  • Protein
  • Fats
  • Minerals

On a deserted island, realistic food sources include:

  • Fish
  • Shellfish (with caution)
  • Eggs (birds or reptiles)
  • Coconuts
  • Edible roots or fruit (only if positively identified)

Protein is critical. Fish is your best friend. Learn how to catch it with improvised spears, traps, or lines. Undercooked food risks parasites and infection, but starvation is worse. Cook when possible.

If you’re squeamish about killing animals, congratulations—you’ve just selected yourself out of the gene pool.


Mental State: Panic Will Kill You Faster Than Labor

Let’s address the psychological reality.

You are alone. You are pregnant. You are in pain. You are scared.

Panic causes:

  • Poor decision-making
  • Exhaustion
  • Increased complications during labor

You must accept your situation fully. Denial wastes energy. Hope without action is useless.

Talk to yourself if you have to. Focus on tasks. Survival is a series of small, boring actions done correctly.


Preparing for Birth Without Medical Help

This is the part no one wants to think about, but pretending it won’t happen doesn’t stop labor.

Creating a Birth Area

Your birth area should be:

  • Clean as possible
  • Close to fire and water
  • Private and protected

Lay down clean leaves, cloth, or bark. Is it sterile? No. But reducing dirt and debris lowers infection risk.

Boil any cutting tool you plan to use. Knife, sharp shell, stone—it doesn’t matter. Fire is your sterilizer.

Wash your hands as best you can. Again, perfection is impossible. Reduction of risk is the goal.


Labor: Pain Is Inevitable, Complications Are Not Optional

Labor will happen whether you’re ready or not.

Positioning Matters

Lying flat is not ideal. Squatting, kneeling, or leaning forward uses gravity and reduces labor time. Your body knows what to do—if you let it.

Breathe. Not the Instagram kind. Slow, controlled breathing to prevent exhaustion and panic.

What Can Go Wrong (And Often Does)

Let’s be blunt:

  • Prolonged labor can kill mother and baby
  • Breech presentation is dangerous
  • Umbilical cord complications are deadly
  • Excessive bleeding can end you in minutes

Without assistance, you are relying on luck and biology. Women have survived this way—but many didn’t.


Delivering the Baby

If the baby is coming headfirst and labor progresses normally, do not pull aggressively. Let contractions do the work.

Support the baby’s head as it emerges. Clear the mouth and nose gently if possible.

Once the baby is born:

  • Keep the baby warm
  • Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate breathing
  • Do not panic if the baby doesn’t cry immediately—stimulate gently

Cutting the Umbilical Cord

If you have cordage, string, or plant fiber, tie the cord a few inches from the baby and again farther down.

Cut between the ties with a sterilized tool.

If you have nothing to cut with, tearing is a last resort and extremely risky. This is why preparation matters.


The Placenta: Don’t Ignore It

The placenta must be delivered. This can take time. Do not pull on the cord.

Once delivered, move it away from your shelter to avoid attracting predators.

Yes, some cultures consume it. In a survival scenario, it does contain nutrients—but it also carries infection risk. Decide based on necessity, not trendiness.


Post-Birth: The Most Dangerous Phase

Most people think the danger ends once the baby is born. That’s ignorance talking.

Hemorrhage Is the #1 Killer

Excessive bleeding can happen quickly.

To reduce risk:

  • Allow breastfeeding if possible (stimulates uterine contraction)
  • Apply firm pressure if bleeding is heavy
  • Stay hydrated

If bleeding doesn’t slow, there may be nothing you can do. This is where reality gets ugly.


Caring for a Newborn in the Wild

A newborn is fragile. Hypothermia and infection are constant threats.

Warmth Is Survival

Keep the baby against your body as much as possible. Fire helps, but smoke inhalation is a risk.

Breastfeeding Is Not Optional

If you can breastfeed, do it. Formula doesn’t exist here. If you can’t, the baby’s survival chances plummet.

Eat and drink as much as possible. Your body needs fuel to produce milk.


Long-Term Survival: After the Birth

Now you’re injured, exhausted, responsible for a newborn, and still stranded.

This is why survival prepping matters before disaster strikes—not after.

Your priorities now are:

  • Prevent infection
  • Maintain hydration and calories
  • Signal for rescue
  • Avoid unnecessary risk

Traveling with a newborn should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Stay put if rescue is plausible.


Hard Truths Survival Culture Doesn’t Like to Admit

Let’s end with honesty:

  • Not everyone survives childbirth without medical care
  • Preparation dramatically improves odds
  • Romanticizing “natural birth” ignores history’s death toll
  • Survival is unfair, brutal, and indifferent

If reading this made you uncomfortable, good. Comfort is a modern addiction. Survival favors the prepared, the realistic, and the ruthless with priorities.

If you’re pregnant now and reading this as entertainment—fine.
If you’re reading this as a prepper and thinking, “This could never happen to me”—you’ve already failed the mindset test.

Nature doesn’t care about your plans. It cares about your preparation.

Survive or Die in New York: The 10 Most Dangerous Things in The Big Apple State That Will End You

Let me tell you something straight: New York isn’t the glitzy, picturesque wonderland people want you to believe. Beneath the skyscrapers, the subways, and the tourist-packed streets lurks a deadly reality that most people are too naive to acknowledge. If you think a stroll in Central Park or a weekend at the Adirondacks is harmless, think again. Death comes quietly, unexpectedly, and without warning. And if you want even the slightest chance of survival, you better pay attention to the top 10 killers in New York—and how to survive them. I’m not here to sugarcoat it. This is grim. This is real. And it’s life or death.


1. The Subway System – A Maze of Metal and Madness

You step onto the subway thinking it’s just a mode of transportation, but one misstep, one loose handhold, or one distracted second, and you’re toast. Subways are magnets for criminal activity, unexpected train arrivals, and slippery conditions that can turn a simple fall into a catastrophic end.

Survival Tactic: Never be distracted by your phone. Stay behind the yellow line, avoid empty cars late at night, and always have an escape route in mind. Carry a personal alarm or whistle; the panic it creates may just save your life.


2. Extreme Weather Events – Mother Nature’s Fury

Hurricanes, blizzards, flash floods—you name it, New York experiences it. People romanticize the snowy winters, but frostbite and hypothermia are silent killers. Summer? Heatwaves can sneak up on you, causing heatstroke faster than you can hydrate.

Survival Tactic: Always check weather warnings and never underestimate local advisories. Stock emergency supplies: water, non-perishable food, a thermal blanket, and a first-aid kit. Know your high-ground evacuation routes for floods and always dress in layers for winter.


3. Aggressive Wildlife – Not Just in the Wilderness

You think New York’s wildlife is cute? Think again. Coyotes prowl suburban streets at night, snapping up small pets, and raccoons can carry diseases that are deadly to humans. And don’t forget venomous insects—ticks with Lyme disease and mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus.

Survival Tactic: Never approach wildlife. Keep trash sealed, maintain a safe distance from animals, and use repellents and protective clothing. If bitten, seek medical help immediately; the city hospitals are your lifeline here.


4. Urban Crime – The Hidden Predator

Pickpockets, muggers, and random violent acts are not myths—they’re a daily reality in certain parts of New York. Walking alone at night can feel like a death sentence if you’re unprepared.

Survival Tactic: Always stay alert, avoid dimly lit areas, and keep valuables hidden. Self-defense training isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Carry a legal deterrent like pepper spray or a tactical flashlight. And never trust the “safe” neighborhoods blindly; danger doesn’t announce itself.


5. Traffic Chaos – Steel Beasts on Wheels

New Yorkers drive like maniacs. Pedestrians think they have the right of way; drivers think the city belongs to them. One distracted driver, one ignored traffic signal, and it’s over.

Survival Tactic: Never assume vehicles will stop. Look both ways twice, even at crosswalks. Wear bright clothing if you walk or bike, and always have an escape route in mind. Avoid distractions, and keep your phone in your pocket. Your life depends on it.


6. Building Fires – Silent Killers in Plain Sight

New York is a concrete jungle, and fires can spread faster than most people realize. Faulty wiring, unattended candles, or kitchen accidents can turn a cozy apartment into a death trap.

Survival Tactic: Always have a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, and a pre-planned escape route. Never assume the fire department will arrive in time; self-rescue knowledge is crucial. And for God’s sake, test your escape route—it’s not just theory, it’s life or death.


7. Water Hazards – Lakes, Rivers, and Storm Drains

From the Hudson to the Erie Canal, water is everywhere in New York. But currents, tides, and hidden underwater hazards turn recreational swimming and boating into potentially lethal activities. Storm drains and subway tunnels can become deadly traps during floods.

Survival Tactic: Learn to swim and wear a life jacket near open water. Avoid areas prone to flooding and never underestimate the power of currents. Carry a waterproof survival kit if you venture near water, including a whistle, rope, and signaling device.


8. Falling Objects – A Threat You Can’t Always See

Construction sites, crumbling buildings, and even city streets can drop debris on your head without warning. A loose brick, a falling sign, or a collapsing scaffold can end your life instantly.

Survival Tactic: Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking near construction zones, look up periodically, and keep your head protected if you’re in a high-risk area. Sometimes, the best defense is simply not being there when disaster strikes.


9. Food and Water Contamination – The Invisible Assassin

Most people assume city food and water are safe—but contamination from bacteria, mold, or chemical pollutants can kill slowly or suddenly. From raw street food to polluted lakes, ignoring these risks is suicidal.

Survival Tactic: Drink only treated or bottled water, cook food thoroughly, and practice good hygiene. Have water purification tablets or a portable filter ready. In New York, assuming everything is safe is a gamble you won’t survive losing.


10. Mental Collapse – The Overlooked Killer

This one’s not flashy, but make no mistake: mental breakdowns can kill you just as efficiently as anything else. The stress of the city, coupled with the constant threat of danger, can cause panic, poor decisions, and fatal mistakes.

Survival Tactic: Stay mentally vigilant. Practice mindfulness, stress management, and situational awareness. Always have a plan B and don’t rely on others to save you. In survival, the weakest mind is the first casualty.


Final Thoughts: Embrace Paranoia, or Die

Here’s the ugly truth: most people walk around New York thinking the worst will never happen to them. They’re naïve, lazy, and oblivious—and that’s exactly why so many die prematurely. If you want to survive, you can’t just hope for the best. You need vigilance, preparation, and a healthy dose of paranoia.

Carry your tools, know your risks, and treat every step outside as a potential life-or-death decision. Because in New York, it often is.

How Women Survive When Civilization Finally Snaps

Let’s get something straight from the start: when the world falls apart, all those smiling neighbors waving over their fences won’t be offering help, bread, or a generator. Some of them might be the first ones trying to take what you have—or worse. Women have always had to stay alert, even in so-called “civilized” times, so imagine how much worse it’ll get when society finally coughs up its last breath and collapses. And trust me, it will. The cracks are already showing—people losing their minds over gas prices, fighting in supermarkets over chicken, looting during power outages. Now picture all of that amplified by a thousand. That’s the End Times scenario we’re looking at.

I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. The world has lost its collective mind, and when the lights go out for good, the mask comes off. If you think anyone—ANYONE—is coming to save you, think again. Preparedness is no longer a hobby; it’s survival. And for women, the rules are even harsher.

This isn’t about living in fear. It’s about staying alive when the people around you stop pretending to be decent.


1. Stop Trusting Familiar Faces

If you haven’t learned this by now, learn it fast: the neighbor who lends you sugar today might show up at your doorstep tomorrow demanding everything in your pantry. Desperate people get dangerous, and desperate people are exactly what you get in a collapse.

Women, especially, must stop assuming familiarity equals safety. It doesn’t—not now, and definitely not when society implodes.

When the grid dies, you need a mental shift:
Your home is no longer part of a “community.” It is a fortress. You are its commander.

That’s the mindset required to survive.


2. Build a Barrier of Self-Reliance

During an end-times scenario, women cannot depend on “someone else” to provide security. The police won’t show up. 911 won’t answer. And no, your neighbor who “seems nice” is not your personal rescue squad.

Here’s what self-reliance means in collapse conditions:

• Know how to secure your space

Reinforce your doors. Reinforce your windows. Make noise traps with cans or glass around entry points. This isn’t paranoia; it’s preparation.

• Know basic defensive tools

I’m not here to tell you what to carry—that’s your choice. But whatever tool you choose—pepper spray, tactical flashlight, alarm devices—you must know how to use it without hesitation. Tool knowledge is worthless if fear freezes your hand.

• Know how to disappear if you must

That means blackout curtains, low lighting, minimal noise, and learning how to move around your own home without announcing your presence like a marching band.

Because when the world ends, invisibility becomes power.


3. Build a Survival Network—but Carefully

You’ll hear survival gurus preach “GROUPS, GROUPS, GROUPS.” And yeah, teamwork is useful—but only when you trust the people you’re working with. During an end-times event, blind trust is a death sentence.

But isolation has risks too.

The solution? Vetted alliances.
Not your random neighbors. Not acquaintances who panic over minor inconveniences. You need people proven through time, not convenience.

What qualifies someone?

• They keep their word
• They handle stress without becoming unhinged
• They respect boundaries
• They value cooperation over dominance

If someone fails ANY of these, they should never be in your circle—especially if you’re a woman in a high-risk environment.


4. Hide Your Supplies—Even From Those Who “Love” You

When hunger hits, love becomes an afterthought. People justify anything when they’re starving. Don’t assume affection equals security.

You need hidden caches:

One visible decoy stash.
One real stash.
One emergency stash.

If someone breaks into your home demanding food, give them the decoy supplies. You protect the real ones. It sounds cold—because it has to be. Survival requires strategy, not sentiment.


5. Master Situational Awareness Like Your Life Depends On It—Because It Will

Situational awareness isn’t just for action movies. It’s what keeps you alive when every stranger becomes a potential threat.

Women especially must sharpen these instincts:

• Monitor who comes and goes around your area

Who’s watching? Who’s pacing? Who’s suddenly appearing at odd hours? Patterns matter.

• Trust your instincts

If someone gives you a bad feeling now, they’ll be ten times worse during a collapse.

• Never let anyone know you’re alone

Silence is protection. Mystery is a shield.

• Always have a way out

Every room. Every situation. Every encounter.

Your safety plan should always be three steps ahead of everyone else’s desperation.


6. Learn the Skills No One Wants to Admit Women NEED in Collapse

People don’t like hearing this part, but too bad: women face unique threats in disaster scenarios. You can pretend otherwise, but pretending never saved anyone.

Here’s what you MUST know:

• How to create barriers that slow intruders

Simple household items can be turned into physical deterrents.

• How to negotiate or de-escalate

Sometimes talking your way out is the smartest move—IF you know how.

• How to read dangerous people

This isn’t Hollywood; there’s no music cue before someone turns bad. You have to recognize the signs yourself.

• How to fight—smart, not heroic

Survival is not about winning.
It’s about escaping.


7. Accept the Harsh Reality: No One Is Innocent When Hunger Sets In

It’s easy to believe the “lovely neighbor” would never hurt you—or that the friendly guy down the block would never turn predatory. But survival pressure changes people at the cellular level.

When the world collapses:

• The weak become desperate
• The desperate become dangerous
• The dangerous become predators

And predators always look for targets they perceive as easier to overpower.

Women are often placed in that category—unless they make it absolutely clear they are NOT the easy target.

This is your warning.
This is your wake-up call.
This is your chance to be prepared before it’s too late.


8. Become the Person No One Wants to Test

Survival, at its core, is psychological. If someone thinks you’re weak, you become a target. If someone believes you’re alert, prepared, and capable, they move along.

Your goal is not to be liked.
Your goal is not to be friendly.
Your goal is not to be approachable.

Your goal is to stay alive.

In the end-times, women must be:

• Harder to fool
• Harder to manipulate
• Harder to intimidate
• Harder to corner

Strength isn’t a feeling—it’s a stance.


Conclusion: The World Already Showed Us What It’s Capable Of

Look around. Society is already fraying, and people are becoming unrecognizable. When the full collapse hits, the transformation will be instant and brutal. Women cannot afford wishful thinking or fairytale expectations of safety.

The truth is simple:
You survive by being prepared, distrustful, trained, equipped, and vigilant.

Not hopeful.
Not naïve.
Not trusting.

Because when the end comes—and it will—survival will belong to the women who saw it coming and prepared for the worst version of everyone around them.

Oklahoma’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Oklahoma’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – And How to Escape Alive

By a Well-Traveled Survivalist

I’ve driven through wildfire smoke so thick it turned day to night. I’ve had angry mobs pound on my hood, forded flooded roads where only alligators belonged, and maneuvered past twisted wrecks on broken highways. Let me tell you something straight: no matter how good your bug-out bag is or how much water you’ve stashed, if you can’t drive your way out when the heat’s on, you’re already dead in the water.

Now, let’s talk Oklahoma—a land of brutal tornadoes, torrential rains, ice storms that shut everything down, and enough open space to vanish into if you know what you’re doing. But it’s also a place where the roads betray the unprepared. Infrastructure here isn’t designed for mass evacuations, and even the most seasoned drivers can get trapped on the wrong stretch of pavement. So buckle in. I’m going to walk you through the worst roads in Oklahoma during a disaster, the skills you need to survive behind the wheel, and how to keep moving when your gas runs dry.


Oklahoma’s Worst Roads in a Disaster

  1. I-35 – Oklahoma City to Norman and Beyond
    The spine of the state. It clogs instantly during mass movement. One overturned semi in a storm and you’re boxed in for hours.
  2. I-44 – Tornado Alley’s Trap
    From Lawton to Tulsa, this road slices through storm central. It’s surrounded by low-lying areas prone to flash flooding.
  3. I-40 – Cross-State Death Funnel
    Wide open, windy, and exposed—especially across the western plains. When tornadoes touch down, debris gets whipped into vehicles like shrapnel.
  4. US-69 – McAlester to Muskogee Corridor
    Two-lane bottlenecks meet erratic traffic. Heavy storms routinely knock out lights and signage.
  5. Turner Turnpike – OKC to Tulsa
    Sounds convenient until you’re stuck with toll booths and zero shoulder space to escape a wreck or gridlock.
  6. US-412 – Wind Shear Highway
    High elevation sections turn into white-knuckle drives during ice storms or high crosswinds.
  7. US-59 – Flood-Prone Backcountry
    Low water crossings near Sallisaw and Poteau make it unpredictable in spring. Flash floods hit hard and fast.
  8. OK-9 – South OKC to Norman
    Suburban sprawl and narrow lanes make for confusion and chaos when lights go out or intersections fail.
  9. OK-3 (Northwest Expressway)
    An urban escape route for OKC folks, but everyone has the same idea. Wrecks, stalled cars, and blocked intersections pile up quick.
  10. US-81 – Grain Hauler’s Corridor
    Filled with slow rigs, agricultural machinery, and limited passing lanes. One wrong move and the line behind you builds fast.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Save Lives

  1. Throttle Control
    Panic makes people mash pedals. Learn to feather your gas—smooth inputs keep your tires gripping in mud, ice, and debris.
  2. Reading Terrain Fast
    Scan for soft shoulders, water depth, drop-offs. Know if you’re about to dive into a ditch or sinkhole before you commit.
  3. Escape Route Mapping
    Always carry a physical map. GPS lies. Signal drops. And some of the best routes don’t even show up on an app.
  4. Driving Without Street Lights
    Practice night driving with only parking lights or no lights on moonlit nights—especially if you’re moving stealth.
  5. High-Centering Avoidance
    Know your vehicle’s ground clearance. Avoid cresting debris piles or road medians that can leave you stuck on your frame.
  6. River Ford Judgment
    If water is fast and touching your bumper, turn back. But slow, shallow water (6 inches or less)? Low gear and don’t stop.
  7. Skid Recovery
    Whether it’s ice or wet clay, know how to steer into the slide and recover control. Panic spinning only makes it worse.
  8. Two-Tire Recovery
    Ever had two tires drop off the pavement? Don’t jerk the wheel. Ease back onto the road gradually.
  9. Quick U-Turns in Tight Spaces
    Learn how to spin your vehicle around in a pinch—especially with limited room and traffic pressure behind.
  10. Dead Reckoning Navigation
    When GPS and cell towers go, your brain better know the compass. Read the sun. Use landmarks. Get oriented.
  11. Hood and Mirror Discipline
    Keep your hood clear. Check mirrors constantly. You’re not just looking at cars—you’re watching for threats, mobs, or road hazards.
  12. Barricade Breach Planning
    Think like an operator. Is the barrier manned? Wooden or steel? Can you hit a low point or shoulder and bypass safely?
  13. Silent Evasion Tactics
    Kill your engine when scouting on foot. Coast in neutral down slopes. Sound attracts attention—keep your vehicle quiet when needed.
  14. Fuel Conservation Driving
    Drive slow, shift early, coast when you can. Keep RPMs low to stretch that last gallon of gas like it’s your lifeline.
  15. Mechanical First Aid
    Basic roadside repair knowledge is gold. Swap belts, patch tires, jump a dead battery, or bypass a blown fuse with a paperclip.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

1. Gravity-Fed Fuel Siphon (No Suction Needed)
Carry 6-8 feet of clear tubing and a 2-gallon container. Drop one end deep into a donor vehicle’s tank, fill the hose with fuel manually, and lower the other end into your container. Gravity does the rest. No mouth-siphoning needed.

2. Propane to Gasoline Conversion (For Older Engines)
Some older carbureted vehicles can run on propane with a simple regulator and line adapter. If you’ve got camping propane tanks and the right rig, this can buy you escape miles in a pinch.

3. Ethanol Burn Trick (Rural Area Only)
Some farm towns keep high-purity ethanol or E85. If you’re in an older car not too picky about octane, you can mix ethanol 50/50 with gasoline to get home. Watch your fuel lines—it runs hot and lean.


Bonus Tips from the Road

  • Carry Jerry Cans – But Hide Them
    Thieves look for visible fuel. Mount internally or black out the cans and store low-profile.
  • Two-Way Radio Beats Cell Phones
    CBs or handheld ham radios keep you in contact even when the towers fall silent.
  • Camouflage Counts
    Don’t drive a decked-out survival truck screaming “I’m prepared.” Subtle wins. A dented old pickup draws fewer eyes.
  • One Road, One Chance
    Never back yourself into a single-exit road unless you know you can blast out in reverse or on foot. Always think: “If it closes behind me, how do I get out?”

Final Thoughts From Behind the Wheel

I’ve met people who spent years prepping gear, stashing supplies, and building bunkers—but forgot how to drive when the power went out or the roads flooded. Survival on the road isn’t about horsepower or tactical decals. It’s about brains, calm, and skill.

In Oklahoma, disasters don’t come with much warning. One minute the sky’s blue, the next it’s green, and then it’s gone. When that moment comes, you don’t rise to the occasion—you fall to your level of training.

So train hard. Drive smart. Keep your eyes on the road—and never, ever trust that the pavement will be there tomorrow.

How To Stay Safe and Survive During a Riot in North Dakota

When chaos breaks loose in a quiet state like North Dakota, it catches most folks off guard. But if you’re a survival-minded individual like me, you know complacency is the enemy. Riots don’t give warnings. They flare up fast—often within minutes—and turn peaceful towns into danger zones. Whether it’s Bismarck or Fargo, once tensions boil over, it’s too late to start thinking about a plan. You either have one, or you don’t. Today, I’m laying out a no-BS guide on how to keep yourself and your family safe when the streets go hot.


Understanding the Threat

Riots are unpredictable, often driven by political unrest, economic frustration, or social tension. While North Dakota isn’t known for civil unrest, don’t confuse calm with permanent peace. If you’re reading this, you’re probably not one to bet your life on the odds—and that’s good. Always expect the unexpected.

The key is preparation. That means having gear, knowing your surroundings, mastering self-defense, and—if it comes down to it—having the skills to build what you need to survive.


8 Self-Defense Skills You Must Master

These aren’t movie tricks or TikTok tactics. These are real, actionable skills that can keep you alive.

1. Situational Awareness

The number one tool in your arsenal isn’t a weapon—it’s your mind. Always scan your environment. Look for exits. Watch body language. If the energy in a crowd shifts, you should feel it before you see it. Trust your gut and act early.

2. De-escalation Tactics

You’re not a hero, and this isn’t the time for ego. If someone confronts you, your first goal is to avoid conflict. Use calm tones, non-threatening gestures, and strategic positioning to keep distance. Walk away before fists fly.

3. Basic Striking Techniques

If you’re forced to fight, keep it simple: palm strikes, elbow strikes, and low kicks. These are powerful, easy to execute, and don’t require years of training. Aim for soft targets like the throat, groin, and solar plexus.

4. Escaping Holds and Grabs

Learn how to break free from wrist grabs, bear hugs, and chokeholds. Use leverage, not strength. The goal is not to overpower, but to escape and move to safety.

5. Improvised Weapon Usage

Know how to use what’s around you. A belt with a heavy buckle, a pen, a sturdy flashlight—these can all become defensive tools. Don’t rely on carrying weapons—rely on your adaptability.

6. Weapon Disarming Basics

This is only for dire situations. If you’re unarmed and someone threatens you with a weapon, disarming could be your last shot. Focus on redirecting, controlling, and neutralizing. It’s risky but better than freezing.

7. Ground Defense

If you’re knocked down, your fight isn’t over. Learn to protect your head, use your legs to create space, and stand back up with control. Never stay on the ground in a crowd—it’s where you’ll get stomped.

8. Team Tactics

If you’re with family or a group, work as a unit. Assign roles—one leads, one watches the rear, one carries supplies. Communicate clearly and stay together. Never let panic scatter your team.


3 DIY Survival Weapon Builds

Sometimes, carrying a weapon isn’t an option. But necessity is the mother of invention. These DIY weapons can be made from common materials and pack enough punch to give you an edge.

1. PVC Pipe Baton

Materials: 1″ diameter PVC pipe (2–3 feet), sand or metal nuts, duct tape.

Instructions: Fill the pipe with sand or metal nuts for weight. Seal both ends. Wrap the grip with duct tape or paracord for handling. It’s light, sturdy, and can deliver bone-crushing force when needed.

2. Nail Bat

Materials: Wooden bat or thick branch, nails, hammer.

Instructions: Drive nails through one end of the bat. Wrap the handle with cloth or tape for grip. This is a last-resort weapon—lethal and intimidating. Use only if you’re in extreme danger.

3. Sling Shot Survival Tool

Materials: Y-shaped branch, surgical tubing or bike inner tube, leather pouch.

Instructions: Cut a solid Y-branch and secure tubing to the arms. Attach a leather patch to hold ammo—rocks, bolts, or steel bearings. Silent, light, and powerful at close range.


Best Practices for Riot Survival in North Dakota

Let’s get specific. Here’s how to survive if a riot breaks out in your area:

1. Avoid Hot Zones

If you see smoke or hear sirens—go the opposite direction. Monitor local police scanners or emergency apps like PulsePoint. Avoid downtown areas, government buildings, and protest gathering spots.

2. Shelter in Place if Possible

If your home is secure, don’t go outside. Board up windows, block entrances, and stay quiet. Have a backup power source, drinking water, and a go-bag ready in case you need to leave fast.

3. Blend In

If caught outside, don’t stand out. Ditch any flashy or tactical gear. Neutral colors, no logos. Move like you belong—confident but not confrontational.

4. Know Your Escape Routes

Always have three ways out—on foot, by car, and through side streets or back alleys. Practice these routes with your family. GPS won’t help if networks go down.

5. Communicate Off-Grid

When the grid fails or networks are jammed, use walkie-talkies or ham radios. Texts may still go through when calls won’t. Establish code words with your group ahead of time.


Final Thoughts from a Lifelong Prepper

You don’t rise to the occasion—you fall back on your training. That’s the survivalist creed. During a riot, it’s not about being a hero. It’s about being alive when the dust settles. I’ve seen too many people freeze when the world went sideways, and I’ve made it my life’s work to make sure that never happens to me—or to those who listen.

North Dakota might seem low-risk, but don’t bet your family’s safety on peace lasting forever. Stockpile smart, train harder, and plan like it’s already happening. Because when the streets turn to war zones, it won’t matter who started it—it’ll only matter who walks away.

Stay sharp. Stay prepared. And remember: it’s better to be a year too early than a second too late.

How To Stay Safe and Not Die During a Riot in Arizona

Let me level with you—if you’re living in or traveling through Arizona and the streets erupt into chaos, your survival depends on how well-prepared you are and what you know how to do under stress. Riots aren’t just crowds and chants. They can turn violent, fast. It only takes one spark—one broken window, one thrown rock—for things to spiral.

I’ve trained in multiple survival disciplines, from urban escape tactics to hand-to-hand combat, and I’ve seen what happens when people freeze. If you’re reading this, you already know instinct and information can mean the difference between getting home safe and getting carried away on a stretcher—or worse.

Understand the Threat

In Arizona, you have to factor in more than just the human element. Heat, dehydration, and distance between safe zones can complicate everything. If a riot breaks out in Phoenix, Tucson, or even Flagstaff, you’re looking at blocked roads, limited law enforcement, and a population on edge. Cell service might crash. Water may be scarce. Stores will close. That’s your setting. Now let’s get to what matters—staying alive.


8 Self-Defense Skills That Could Save Your Life

1. Situational Awareness

This is your first weapon. Know your exits. Watch people’s hands, not their mouths. Scan for objects being thrown, vehicles approaching, or mobs changing direction. You want to read a situation five steps ahead before it turns hostile.

2. Verbal De-escalation

Before fists fly, words can buy you time or a safe retreat. Learn how to lower your tone, control your breathing, and not appear aggressive or confrontational. Most people just want to vent, not fight—unless you give them a reason.

3. Palm Heel Strike

Forget Hollywood punches. A palm heel strike to the chin or nose can disorient an attacker instantly. Aim upward, push through the target, and get moving. You want space, not a brawl.

4. Escape from Grabs

If someone grabs your wrist, don’t yank. Rotate your arm toward the attacker’s thumb (weakest part of the grip) and pull free. Then move—don’t try to “win” a street fight.

5. Improvised Weapon Use

A pen, flashlight, or belt can become a defensive tool. Know how to use everyday items for leverage, distraction, or deterrence. A heavy-duty flashlight to the collarbone? That drops anyone.

6. Ground Defense

If you’re taken to the ground, stay calm. Use your legs to create distance—what we call “kicking range.” Protect your head and get to your feet fast. Never let someone pin you during a riot. You’re vulnerable to trampling, looting, and worse.

7. Multiple Attacker Strategy

Don’t try to fight off a group. Prioritize movement. Use obstacles like cars, fences, or trash cans to create bottlenecks. Focus on evasion, not dominance.

8. Weapon Retention (and Use)

If you’re carrying a legal concealed weapon—know how to keep it. If it’s exposed, it becomes a target. Know your state laws, and if you’re forced to use it, make sure it’s a last resort. Understand where to aim, and always assume witnesses are filming.


3 DIY Survival Weapons You Can Build Fast

1. PVC Pipe Baton

What you need:

  • 1.25-inch PVC pipe (2 feet long)
  • Sand or gravel (for weight)
  • Duct tape or paracord (for grip)

Fill the pipe with sand, cap both ends, and wrap the handle with grip tape. This can’t be legally classified as a weapon in most areas—but it’s solid enough to break glass or defend against an attacker.

2. Sling Shot with Surgical Tubing

What you need:

  • Y-shaped tree branch or pre-cut handle
  • Surgical tubing (from medical or hardware store)
  • Leather patch (cut from old glove)

This gives you range defense. You can launch rocks, steel bearings, or marbles. It’s silent, and if you know how to aim, it can stop someone at 20 feet—hard.

3. Tactical Spear (Hiking Staff Mod)

What you need:

  • Hardwood staff or aluminum hiking pole
  • Duct tape
  • Fixed blade knife (full tang preferred)

Secure the knife at one end with duct tape and paracord. You now have a spear for distance defense, animal deterrent, or window breaking. It doubles as a walking stick.


Urban Survival Mindset

Here’s the thing people forget: a riot isn’t a movie. It’s loud, confusing, and people lose their minds when they feel anonymous. Your best defense is to avoid the fight altogether. But if you can’t, move with confidence. Confidence is disarming.

Dress down—no flashy gear or brands. Wear neutral colors. Tactical gear attracts attention in crowds. Go gray man. That means blending in while being fully prepared to respond.

Carry a get-home bag. Keep:

  • Water (1 liter minimum)
  • Multi-tool
  • Flashlight
  • Spare cash
  • Portable charger
  • Copies of ID and emergency numbers

Always let someone know where you’re going. Plan routes with backup exits. Use alleys, fire escapes, and rooftops if necessary.


Arizona-Specific Tips

Heat is a weapon. You need hydration, even in the winter. Don’t underestimate how fast you can dehydrate during physical exertion in 90+ degree weather.

Terrain awareness is key. Arizona has wide-open roads and large urban sprawl. If riots shut down interstates or key highways (I-10, I-17), you’re walking a long way.

Law enforcement response will vary. Arizona cities have tactical response teams, but they may not prioritize you. In chaos, you’re on your own.

Watch for flashpoints. Areas near government buildings, universities, or police departments are usually the first to blow. Avoid them at all costs.


Final Advice

You don’t need to be a black belt. You don’t need a bug-out bunker. You just need to know what to do, and have the guts to do it when the time comes.

Keep your eyes open. Move smart. Fight only when you have to—and if you fight, finish it fast and get out.

Survival isn’t about macho. It’s about staying quiet, staying sharp, and staying alive.


How To Stay Alive During a New York Riot

Let’s be real — when chaos strikes in a place like New York City, it happens fast, and it hits hard. I’ve lived through enough urban unrest and trained others on how to navigate it without freezing up or making deadly mistakes. Riots are unpredictable, and the average person doesn’t have a plan. But you’re not average — not if you’re reading this. So let me give it to you straight, skill for skill, tool for tool, mindset for mindset. Here’s how to stay safe and survive during a riot in New York.

First Rule of Survival: Know the Terrain

New York is dense. That’s both your greatest challenge and greatest advantage. High population means riots escalate quickly, but it also means there are more exits, more cover, and more places to hide. If you live here, walk your neighborhood weekly. Know alternate exits in every subway station. Know where alleyways connect, which buildings have open lobbies, and where construction zones give access to makeshift cover.

A prepper doesn’t wait for things to go sideways to start learning the streets.

8 Self-Defense Skills You Need to Master

1. Situational Awareness (SA)
This isn’t just “looking around.” SA means understanding what people are doing and why. If you see crowds forming, tension rising, and aggressive energy building — that’s your signal to exit. Notice patterns. Stay off your phone. Constant scanning of exits, people’s hands, and body language can give you a 30-second advantage. That’s life or death.

2. Verbal De-Escalation
It’s not cowardly to avoid a fight — it’s smart. Learn how to lower your voice, use non-threatening body posture, and speak in a way that calms aggressors. You want to give off the vibe: “I’m not your enemy, and I don’t want trouble.” That buys you time.

3. Close Quarters Elbow Strikes
In a crowd, you don’t have space for wide punches. Your elbows are devastating and fast. Strike to the jaw, neck, or ribs. Your goal isn’t to fight — it’s to escape. Learn how to use your elbows like daggers.

4. Knife Defense
If someone pulls a blade on you in a riot, distance is king. But if you’re trapped, you need to know how to redirect, trap, and disable. Look into techniques like the “Pak Sao” (slap-and-trap) used in Filipino martial arts and Krav Maga. Practice with a training knife at home.

5. Escape from Holds and Grabs
Get someone trained to help you drill escapes from wrist grabs, shirt grabs, and rear chokes. You’re more likely to be grabbed in a riot than punched. Your escape moves need to be muscle memory. There’s no time to think.

6. Improvised Weapons
Turn what you have into a tool. A pen in your hand is a stabber. A heavy keychain is a flail. Your belt buckle? A swing weapon. Everything around you can become a defense mechanism when you’re trained to see it.

7. Mobility Training
Learn how to jump fences, scale small walls, and squeeze through tight spaces. If you’re boxed in, mobility is your freedom. Practice parkour basics — vaulting, rolling, and wall climbs — in safe environments.

8. Striking for Distraction, Not Domination
You don’t need to knock someone out. A quick jab to the throat, kick to the knee, or rake across the eyes gives you a chance to run. That’s your win condition.

3 DIY Survival Weapons You Can Make at Home

1. Tactical Baton from a Flashlight
Get a heavy-duty flashlight like a Maglite. Wrap the handle in paracord for grip and stability. It’s legal, useful, and when used right, it’s a powerful blunt-force tool. Bonus: you’ve still got a working light source.

2. PVC Pipe Blow Dart Launcher
You’d be surprised how easy this is. Use a 1/2” PVC pipe, 2 feet long. Carve darts from wooden skewers or nails. Fletch with duct tape. Add a mouthpiece from rubber tubing. Can be used for distraction, pest control, or quiet defense if you train with it.

3. Slingshot with Steel Ball Bearings
Use surgical tubing and a forked branch or 3D-printed frame. Aim for temple, throat, or knee shots if you’re forced to defend. It’s silent, powerful, and easy to hide. Practice precision at 15–25 feet.

Remember: weapon legality in New York is strict. Keep these tools for survival, not aggression. And always know the law.

Shelter In or Bug Out?

If a riot breaks out while you’re home — shelter in. Secure your doors with a bar lock or wedge. Turn off lights, stay silent, and stay away from windows. Keep water and canned food in a blackout kit. Have a backup escape route — like a fire escape or rear hallway — if the building gets compromised.

If you’re caught outside, get out of the crowd. Head perpendicular to the mob’s direction. Avoid getting funneled into alleys or dead ends. Blend in — don’t make yourself stand out. Drop flashy gear and logos. A gray hoodie and jeans go unnoticed.

Survival Gear Checklist for Riot Conditions

  • N95 mask (for smoke, dust, pepper spray)
  • Impact-resistant goggles
  • Compact first aid kit (with clotting agent and bandages)
  • Sturdy gloves (for climbing, protection)
  • Water bottle with filter
  • Tactical flashlight (doubles as weapon)
  • Multi-tool
  • Bandana or shemagh (disguise or filter air)
  • Cash (small bills)
  • Burner phone or power bank

Everything fits in a small, inconspicuous backpack. This is your Riot Go-Bag. Always ready, never flashy.

Mental Fortitude

A lot of survival is mindset. Fear makes people freeze or panic. You’ve got to stay calm, assess, act. Practice stress inoculation: train under pressure, simulate chaos, learn how your body reacts. Breathe slow. Focus your senses. Move with purpose.

You aren’t a hero in a riot. Your goal is survival. You save yourself, your family, your gear. Anyone looking to play vigilante ends up in jail — or worse.

Team Up and Have a Plan

If you’ve got family or close friends in the city, establish a rendezvous point. Make a signal — a phrase or emoji — that means “Meet now.” Text is better than voice. Don’t rely on GPS or phone service. Have an offline map.

Train together. If someone panics, it drags the whole group down. Practice drills. Role-play. Even one hour a month of coordinated prep makes a difference.

Final Word

Riots are like wildfires — unpredictable and destructive. But they’re survivable if you’re trained, aware, and prepared. Whether you’re in Queens, the Bronx, or downtown Manhattan, the same rules apply: stay calm, be smart, and use what you’ve got.

You don’t need to be a Navy SEAL to survive. You need street sense, grit, and the will to keep moving when others freeze. I’ve trained a lot of people, and the ones who make it through the chaos are the ones who prepared when it was calm.

This city tests you. But you’ve got the tools now. So prep smart — and walk safe.