Urban Camoflage...

S

shane justice

Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
1,606
Hullo...I just recently stumbled on an old thread by GunCollector...about his Urban Survival Pack...Been thinking about the years I lived in SF all day...

I saw some of the worst parts of my life in SF and met the best people a guy would ever want to know.

I said in the USP thread I worked security in SF...some in downtown...and all over the Bay Area...so I am familiar with what Gun Collector was up against.

If it was just a three day deal...say like an Earthquake...and you are in a building that is safe...I would recommend staying put. But...

IN SF the majority of buildings downtown were not built to any sort of earthquake code...so if you gotta move there are some problems...

In most urban environments this is true...the outside of the buildings are mostly glass...If a quake moves a building one way..then back...the glass will shatter...which leaves the streets paved with several feet of glass shards. Not too cool to walk through...

But I digress...if you gotta walk...in SF..if you are headed south there's a lot of ugly territory to cover from the downtown unitl you make it out of town...
Gang territory...projects...red light districts...and depressed neighborhoods...if you stick to the streets..if you decide to walk on the highways/freeways...you gotta whole new kinda problem dealing with other things...

My point is...we better eb damned smart about what we wear as we traverse all of the obstacles...and that means camo...

Not the fancy green and sqiggly field camo...or the pretty blue and white camo patterns that are so in vogue now...

We gotta get a bit smarter...

SO here is my suggestion for camo...in an urban environment...where you wanna go quietly...

Go to the local Army Surplus...there's a bunch of them in the Mission...
Find an old trench coat...wool is best...prefferably gray...or gree...or brown...
Big as you can get...

Buy some jump boots that fit well... and an old GI helmet liner...buy some light wool gloves or nomex with the leather panel....oh and an old watch cap...old ones...or better the one like Radar used to wear on MASH.

WHile you are there you could get some tri angular badages...and
Also get some of those crappy aviators glasses...

Now go to a store that sells work clothes..sometimes the same store...buy some bib overalls...and some duct tape...

You see where I am going?

NOw go home and wash the crap out of the whole mess...spill in some rit dye...black or brown or mix it up...and wash it some more...

NOw come the fun part...once everything is clean and dry...get the trench coat...This will take some work...

Get a needle and thread..or if the old lady has a sewing machine...get it out...
Use dark thread...or something that matches pretty good...

Lay out all of your equipment that doesn't weigh much....stuff like thos light weight space blankets...triangular bandages...what not...and start making pockets...a doulblelined coat makes pockets easy...all you have to do is make a small cut in the liner...and sew the outline ot the pocket...be careful though you don't want somebody looking to notice the stitching...don't sew through both layers.

Don't overburden your coat with stuff...just add some of the things you might not use as often or in a hurry...

If your coat doesn't have it already...cut out the hand warmer pockets entirely...that way when your hand looks like it is in your pocket getting warm you can get to your Roscoe...yup...just shoot right through the fabric...no need to draw.

Now...do the same thing with the bib overalls...they already have a bunch of pockets...which is cool...I would add some internal pockets sewn onto the back of each back pocket...but ingeneral...the bibs are great for load bearing...and you can add a belt at the waist for stuff like handgun and flashlight holsters...and your Luke Skywalker gear...

Bibs also have pockets down the right leg that are just right for holding magazines...

Wear the hell out of the jump boots...preferaably when you are changing the oil on your car...dirtier the better...but make sure they are broken in...once they are wrap some duct tape around them...here and there...and wear tehm some more until the duct tape is about to come off...

You are still wondering aobut the helmet liner bit right? Ok...the other thread was talking about the need for a hard hat...with a light even...which I hate...so my recommendation is this...pull the old watch cap/RADAR cap over the liner...it looks like you are a bit crazy...which is a good thing...it will keep your noggin from getting dinged by stuff...ok not as good as a hard hat...but it looks a bit more "street"...

Cut the finger tips outta the gloves...I know you hate to do it...leave a couple on if you want...point is it shouldn't look new...

OK...now get dressed...put on damn good sock and undies...and a shirt...prolly from the surplus store...a t-shirt of some kind advertising a heavy metal band...

Now the bibs and boots...and belt with equipment...

Ok...here's where a camelbak with a low profile comes in...put it(containing your gotta have essentials on over your overalls.

Now the trench coat and helmet...

ok...you look stupid right? Not if you wanna look like another homeless guy walkin the street...

Oh...now give all your clothes to your dog to chew the hell out of..and sleep on...they gotta smell right too....

If you gotta walk Smudge any exposed skin with some shavings from a pencil sharpener or whatever..and find a goddamned shopping cart as fast as possible for your heavier gear...or any equipment you appropriate along the way.

Oh...and not to be gross...but urinate on yourself if you can take it...

There's lots more to talk about here...like using a big beer bottle to carry water...wrapped in a paer bag...it makes a great shock weapon in an emergency...

these are just my suggestions...you guys see where i am coming from...if you survive whatever disater befalls you..the real problem is other people...don't look too weak...but don't look like a well prepared business man on the way home to Mama either...cause all that says is TARGET!

Shane
 
dontcha think it would make more sence to find a car or truck and drive out of town?

this thread reminds me of escape from la
 
What about the fact that all the time in big cities gangs/stupid teenagers target homeless folks for fun?
 
Stealing a car or truck is a good idea...but might be tough to find anywhere to drive it depending on the situation...the traffic around SF it pretty ugly on a good day...

ANd there are lots of what if's here...lets explore a bit...find some common ideas...

As far as rolling the homeless people...who would you rather hit? Somebody in an Eddie Bauer rig...or old joe nobody?

The idea is to move away from danger as fast as possible...and get home, right? If you get moving...you can ditch your street wear and roll...

Hey just throwing some ideas guys...just working a problem...from a different angle...having nice stuff is great...but what works on TV...ain't much in RT.

Shane
 
If it were a quake (or other large event) there would be plenty of people out and trying to get home.
Blend in with them. T-shirt, jeans and a backpack.
All of those fish, and the zebras too, wear the same outfit so you can't pick one individual out from the crowd.
During the blackout here in NYC there were hundreds of guys and gals walking over the 59 Street bridge in t-shirts, jeans and backpacks.

Those USGI trenchcoats hold a bundle of stuff without mods. I remember being able to tote 10 beers in my misspent youth ;)
I like the trenchcoat idea, but IMHO you don't need to go the bum route.
Just another guy in the crowd :D
 
it has been a busy day...I wanted to throw one more post before I cook supper...

I lived a hard life when I was in California.

More than anything my hope was to offer an alternative solution to the preparedness lifestyle. One that does not rely on top dollar gadgets or merchandising. It is more about the way you think than the way you dress.

I spose all you guys in this part of the forum can comoe up with 100 something betters for what I suggested as an alternative to gore tex and silk underwear.

And I suppose most of you have practiced wilderness survival skills to the point you can build fires in your sleep.

Ebbtide mentioned joining the crowd...blending in...superb idea...my point in mentioning SF as a case city was specific to this point and inspired by the other thread brought up by Gun Collector. When I was there...I think the figures were something like 10,000 homeless people...most living around or in the downtown or further on toward the park and the Haight...

So I took the liberty of suggesting a way to blend in...just one of a million possibilities that would work for me in that scenario. It would be different for somebody living in another place. The point being a plan is essential to making it out of the situation.

While most of us have walked trails in the woods we know...how many have walked on the streets at night...or walked the street you plan to use for emergency egress away from an urban threat? How well do you know it?

Again just more thoughts...

Lastly, I had hoped this thread would be chance to share thoughts about urban survival from a grass roots approach...leaving out the high dollar tech stuff.

BTW- Earlier I said it would be a good idea to steal a car. In a three day scenario this would be a felony. I can't recommend that. But it is an alternative that may be safer than walking.

Shane
 
Two thoughts....

One you can be feared, or you can fit into the crowd. There will be a lot of people freaking out... look the part of those freaking out. I dont think a "survival/camping" backpack would be a smart move... just the "thats got goodies I need" mindset. Unless you can be "Feared."
 
I don't think you have any earthly idea what it would take to be "feared" in the environment Shane is talking about. Short of being known on the street for earning your tears, NOBODY is going to be afraid of you.

OK. Fine. You are the badastest MF the world ever saw . . . whatcha gonna do when the 12 year old drops a concrete block on your head from the 3rd story window -- just for being an *******? I've seen it done, my friend, seen it done.

I have spent a lot of time in the housing projects of San Antonio (10th largest city in the nation, BTW) and 'bad' parts of south Texas towns interviewing witnesses and tracking down ... well. My dress for the occassion has always been business clothes, meaning, a really good suit, and a good brief case. As to what is in the brief case case ... well.

In 20 years of this stuff I have never been messed with. No once. I smell 'the Man' all over. But, I TALK to folks, I treat them with respect. And they talk back. I haven't always gotten what I went for, but I always came home with something. If you want to get seriously ****ed up in those places, just get caught trying to something you are not.
 
Going for the homeless look would be close to what I would do if I had to bug out. I definitely wouldn't want to look like I had anything of value, and it would be easier to blend into the background that way. If everything went to serious sh!+ for a long period of time, roving gangs and looters would swarm to any large city. My first choice would be to button up at home where I have stocks of food and water and maybe a gun or two. If that wasn't possible, I would try and get the hell out to a friend or relatives, or the local mountains as a last ditch option.
 
Hotrod said:
A semi auto 12 gauge would make you feared.
Click to expand...

No, Hotrod, without more, a shotgun would not make me fear you.
 
What people seem to forget is that after the 9/11 attack and during the massive power outage in the north east people banded together.

I think that in an earthquake situation withholding water (as mentioned in the USK thread) or walking around armed would put you against the majority of others in the same boat. During the power outage people in NYC were sharing what they had and being friendly and polite.

You would need comfortable clothes and shoes to make the trek home but I don't think that you would need gold coins, shot guns or homeless clothes.
 
Runz is totally correct... I was living in lower manhattan till last year and no matter what happens, new yorkers stick together. You see the most inspiring acts of random kindness, compassion and bravery. The only people I have complaints about is the Red Cross who is selective with whom they help, and large retail corporations (Food Emporium) who would rather let food spoil than to give it to the troubled.
 
Dang it was a monday...

Randjack, I have great respect for your opinions on this matter. Your ideas are from proven experience. All good things...

And I agree with your words about not trying to be the bad ass...I did want to ask...you mentioned about carrying something in your briefcase. I can suppose it was a firearm or the likes. DO you think it made you more confident in your actions? The way you presented yourself..or your body language? Sometimes I think the way you carry yourself makes a lot of difference..

Which brings me to your comments about being polite and respectful...I made that same comment on another thread in this forum. I couldn't agree more. Folks do aprreciate a stand up guy.

What i wonder about is the group dynamic after a major disaster. Do people act the same as they would during after a catastrophy? I wasn't in the big 1991? quake in SF...but I did work security during the King Riots...

IN SF everybody that was on the street was acting in a contrary manner than they would normally. My observations were that there were somoe folks protesting...but a greater number that were looting for the sheer hell of it...
There's a huge dynamic here...lots to wonder about...

I can promise...shotguns or chainsaw hands won't scare anybody.

What I hear being said...by ebbtide and RandJack...is that demeanor becomes part of the camoflage. You bet. I agree with that.

Moving on, I would recommend that ahead of time...you talk to some local PD. Get an idea about the places you may have to travel through. Get a map and mark it out. In SF both terrain and "TURF" are tricky. I guess they are in any city now days.

If I wanted to go to my mountains and walk among the animals...I would wear or make a Ghillie suit of sorts...I would also try to stay downwind and move quietly...leaving little behind...I can't find a reason why this isn't good policy for urban travel....emergency or no...

Maybe my suggestions were a bit extreme...but some people might think smearing yourself with mud ala Tom Brown with sticks in your hair is just silly...but it is effective...and some people think elk hunters who spray urine on their boots are gross...but it happens...

Here's some more ideas to grump at...

Shane
 
randjack said:
No, Hotrod, without more, a shotgun would not make me fear you.
Click to expand...

I'm done with this thread...

FEAR is relative. The 99% of "SHEEP" are afraid of a locking pocket knife. The 1% are to stupid to have fear of anything. Fear keeps you alive, it works in reverse... Fear of death causes others to choose paths they might not otherwise choose. However, the 1% may be egged on by percieved "threat" to their "status."

Without more what?

Do I have fear? Yes... I just dont see where this is going...
 
The "without more" to which I refer is one of two things: 1) a deranged person, be it psychosis, drugs, or a domestic dispute; or 2) a calm sane person who has the psychological tools to kill another person and the present expressed intent to do so.

99.99% of the population do not have the psychological equipment necessary to calmly and rationally shoot someone, much less use a knife -- but that's another story.


That said, may the saints preserve us from young macho males who think they have something to prove and have a couple of drinks in them.
 
If something causes a city to shut down long enough for "survival" to be the topic... the majority of the folks that are unprepared will be deranged in mindset.

Surviving causes you to do something that you would not normally do, unless you have the presence of mind to not become a statistic. Similar to how so many lost folks are found dead in the woods with a broken leg and all the skin worn off the bottom of their feet. Somehow any choice becomes a good one when you have nothing to lose.

People have been conditioned to fear guns! You can use fear as the tool... or you can use a slight of hand. Thats all that I was saying... :p
 
The idea posed by Shane of "Urban Camouflage" has a lot of merit.
The purpose of camo is to blend in seamlessly with your surroundings, and in an urban environment, what is less noticeable than one of the denizens of the concrete jungle?

Depending on your locale, dressing up or down to blend with the majority of the inhabitants is a good idea. Having "built in" survival gear sewn or secreted in your urban camo also makes a lot of sense.

I'm not sure I would go the "wino" route, but Shane has given me some food for thought.

Good post!
 
Heh.

Want to be invisible in the city? DEAD simple

Work boots
Jeans/work pants
Carhart jacket in season
work shirt
and the final parts.......
A hardhat
an Orange Vest with scotchlite stripes
and a metal clipboard

Not ONE person will notice/question you. Your part of the background "noise". The trick is your are "seen" but not "noticed"

Want another way?

Black slacks
white polo type shirt
postman type shoes
and a royal bue or black jacket with yellow lettering on the back 3-4 letters or your choice
Black/blue baseball cap with same letters in yellow
act offical

Carry a nextel or a radio, and your set
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top