Urban Survival requires smarts
The reason you need smarts is that you have to prepare for the unexpected and think of things that need to be built even though a modern option exists still.
That type of forethought takes smarts.
There will be situations in urban survival that will require you to improvise more than just a weapon or two.
That improvisation skill is needed for things like urban survival toilets.
You may think you have a place to go when nature calls but if the water is turned off, you can’t flush your toilet.
One thing you should never do is use your good drinking water to flush.
If you are lucky enough to have a stream or a small lake nearby this won’t be a problem but in urban settings, this is an unlikely scenario.
Thankfully, you do have options available when it comes to urban survival toilets.
And you can prepare for the worst by having those options ready to go when disaster strikes.
Urban Survival toilets
These options may be limited in some aspects as apartment dwellers will not have the same access to yards, etc., as homeowners do.
But there are some options that will work for apartment dwellers that will still allow them to relieve themselves and avoid the harsh odors and bacteria that come with that natural duty.
5-gallon bucket
A very good option many may have already put to use.
It is sanitary if you add some features to the bucket.
Those features will also make it more comfortable to use.
The materials needed:
– 5-gallon bucket
– 1 2 x 6, 4 feet long
– 5 wood screws and 5 washers
– 1/4 inch thick furring strips, 3 to 4 feet long
– 1 toilet seat
Tools needed:
– drill with correct drill bits
– circular saw
– jigsaw
– pencil
– measuring tape
– extension cord
– ruler or square
Instructions:
You are going to have to cut the wood pieces to size.
Then mark the curve of the bucket in the 2 x 6 so that you get a tight fit.
Once that is done, you secure the wood piece to the bucket by drilling the screws into the side of the bucket and into the wood.
After that, you need to attach the furring strips to the piece of wood to elevate the toilet seat.
Using wood drill bits drill holes for the toilet seat hinge to go through and be secured to the piece of wood.
The toilet seat goes over the bucket’s opening so you will have support for your weight by the bucket.
Add some water to the bucket to help kill the smell.
Avoid emptying the bucket into storm drains.
That will contaminate everyone’s drinking water supply
Camping toilet
This is not very fancy and all it requires is a shovel and the ability to squat.
If you cannot squat, you can improvise a seat by using a plastic or wood chair with part of the seat cut out.
The next step is to locate the hole as far away from your sleeping and food preparation areas.
Dig a large enough hole to handle the waste and leave the dirt to help cover the waste after every use.
You may have to dig several holes if the disaster effects last a long time.
Regular outhouse
This is the same principle as the primitive camping toilet except you get more privacy and a larger hole to work with.
The location would be the same as the camping toilet but this time you are digging a large hole.
You can reinforce the sides with concrete if you want but you want that hole large enough to handle multiple daily uses and not get filled up too quickly.
Once the hole is complete, you can build the seat and the outhouse walls as well as the roof.
Make the walls, seat, and roof waterproof so no one gets wet while using the outhouse.
Make sure the building is secure and won’t fall down on you.
Composting toilet
This is an item many people who build their own RVs or buy a mini trailer use for their waste needs.
These are small and can be put out of the way until needed.
Plus, they are portable so you can move them to a more private area when you need the privacy.
There are two types of compost toilets.
One is the self-contained which you would need to empty when the chambers are full.
The other is the split or central system.
This option does require some water to move the waste to the composting chamber.
There are all sorts of sizes, styles, designs and you guessed it, prices.
The more expensive ones are more complicated but they make your bathroom time seem like a trip to a normal bathroom in your home.
Whether you are bugging out or not, these compost toilets will come in handy especially when a family member can’t or won’t use the nearest bush or tree.
Pick the one that fits your budget and bathroom needs.
Toilet accessories
When it comes to making a toilet for those times when SHTF, you need to think about those toilet accessories that make going to the bathroom more comfortable.
Even though you may stock up on toilet paper, some disaster’s fall out can extend into long periods of time.
You can run out of your stored toilet paper, especially when there is more than one of you in your family.
When that happens, you should have stocked up on some of these alternatives:
– Old newspapers
– Paper towels, table napkins and other paper products
– Book pages that are big enough to use
– Old phone books. These books have large enough paper pages you can use and they should last for a while.
Finally, when you run out of any and all of your paper products, you can look to your nearest tree for help.
You will want to collect large green leaves every day as you cannot let them dry out.
Good leaves will work and they will decompose easily.
Just be ready for some clogged toilets if you use these toilet paper alternatives.
That is if you are able to use your regular toilet.
Have a sealable bucket next to your toilet to dispose of those alternatives.
Hand sanitizing
This will be another issue you will have to deal with if the water is not running in your neighborhood.
It will be important to stock up on hand sanitizer so you can ‘wash’ your hands after using one of these alternative toilets.
You can use some vinegar and water if you have not stocked up to make sure your hands are germ-free.
Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant.
Or you can always use bleach but do not be dismayed if you lose the color in your skin.
Make sure to dilute the bleach first before using it.
When you have to improvise your toilet, you also have to improvise your hygienic methods to make sure no one gets your germs and gets sick.
The improvised car toilet
If you have to bug out and are able to use your car, then you may need to have a small toilet along if the roads are clogged or you have a long way to go.
There is no telling where the next usable public toilet would be.
There are lots of good items you can use to go to the bathroom when you are in your car with no other alternatives.
Men will find it easier than women in using these options in many cases.
#1. Bed pans- are used in hospitals all the time because they work.
They are perfect for the car as you can keep driving while someone is using this device.
Just do not make any sudden stops.
#2. Plastic men’s and woman’s urinals- there are devices that make peeing a lot easier when you are in the car and cannot stop.
Or you can make a woman’s urinal out of a plastic bottle and a measuring cup or a funnel.
#3. Any plastic water bottle- these will hold enough liquid but we are not talking about using those water bottles that hold your drinking liquids.
Buy some extra empty ones as holding your pee is harder than holding your bowels.
You can pee when you need to and stay comfortable during your travel time.
Some final words
These ideas should put you on the right track to improvising your own toilet whether you bug out or stay where you are at.
They may not be what you are used to and not very luxurious but they will keep you healthy and comfortable.
The secret is to place these improvised urban survival toilets in the right location so they do not foul up any other activity.
They are all cheap options as well.
Originally posted 2023-02-18 02:26:38.
