B-Hazard's guide to Urban Exploring - How to play it by the rules.
146 replies, posted
Urban Exploring has became very popular on Facepunch recently, and in my Urbex threads I've noticed people saying they will start doing this 'to get some loot'. This is a horrible motivation to start Urban Exploring, and it is what ruins places of interest for other Urban Explorers. You might think that stealing one small thing wouldn't make a difference, but if almost everyone visiting a certain site thought that it would soon be stripped bare of anything interesting.
So this is going to be my guide on how to do Urban Exploring, while playing it by the rules.
[u][b]1. Location, Location, Location![/b][/u]
You need to find a good location to explore. What you should do is find an Urban Exploring forum for your country, and browse the reports on places for your area. For example a good forum in the UK is [url]http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/[/url]. If this fails, ask the locals, explore your area, you will find a place soon enough.
[b]What not to do[/b]: Don't chose a site that is regularly visited by officials or is being renovated, etc.
[b]Don't assume there's no abandoned buildings near you, that's what I thought at first, but it turns out there's tons.[/b]
[u][b]2. Equipment.[/b][/u]
So you've now chose your location, and you need to chose what equipment you take.
This can vary from person to person, and location to location.
Here's what I usually take: Food and drink, a flashlight/torch, a length of rope, a gas mask/P2 or P3 rated face mask(there can be asbestos and harmful airborne substances in these buildings, camera/filming equipment, a first aid kit, a phone, and a map.
Only take a multi-tool if you absolutely need it, but I have never found a need for one, if you do take one, make sure it is under your
countries knife laws. If you do get caught, it is better to not have one.
What not to take, [b]ever[/b]:
Marker pens
Spray paint
Knives(depending on your country, but it's best not to)
[b]Tools[/b](Screwdrivers, crowbars, etc)
Weapons
Explosives/fireworks
Here's a very extensive kit list:
[url]http://chewy.cc/urbex-equipment.html[/url]
[u][b]3. What should I wear?[/b][/u]
Combat boots or grippy shoes with thick/strong soles(incase you step on glass or nails), the thickest and toughest pair of trousers you have, a strong shirt/ jumper that covers your whole arms and a pair of tough gloves such as gardening gloves. Remember, if you get caught try and look innocent, so wear your goth clothes elsewhere.
[u][b]4. What friends to take, and how many.[/b][/u]
Always chose friends who you can trust, and who wouldn't try to break things, steal things and not listen to you. The amount of people you can take can vary, [b]but never go alone[/b].
The best group size is 3 people; if one of you gets hurt there will be one to call for help and one to attend the injured. It's best not to have a group of more than 5 or 6 people, because then problems occur.
[u][b]5. Take your common sense with you.[/b][/u]
Don't do something stupid, and be a judge of weather it is safe or not.
Have someone on the outside that knows where your going, and how long you should be.
Get them to phone you if your not back on time, and give them instructions to call emergency services if you don't answer after a few times, [b]this could save your life.[/b]
[u][b]6. How do I enter?[/b][/u]
If the place has a fence, which is likely, try and find a hole or an unlocked gate, if not jump over it somewhere you can't be seen. Remember, there is a big difference between breaking and entering and trespassing, so do yourself a favour and don't think you are Gordan Freeman and smash through a door.
There will almost always be a open window, a unlocked door, or an open entrance somewhere, people have likely been there before. So [b]investigate[/b] and find a way in that doesn't involve you breaking and entering, if you can't find a way in, just walk away and wait until someone else has made an entrance for you, it's better than they get arrested than you.
[u][b]7. Play it safe, and no I'm not talking about contraception.[/b][/u]
There are many dangers in a abandoned building, and I'm not going to be able to cover all the situations that will occur, that's why you need your common sense.
First of all, unless the building was built before 2000(in the UK, in the US they still use asbestos), it is highly likely that the building will have asbestos in it, so wear a P2 or P3 rated face mask, you can buy a 3 pack in homebase for £10.99 for god sake, so wear one! The building could also have lead based paint and harmful chemicals/airborne substances, so just wear one to be safe.
Don't walk on something that doesn't seem safe to walk on. If the building has had the roof collapse the damp conditions would damage the floorboards, making them likely to collapse.
Metal stairs and walkways would also be prone to corrosions, and might break right below your feet.
You can be a judge of weather something is safe or not.
Drug addicts and animals might be in the building, so always be wary of this.
If you hear another person in the building, that isn't you, get out. You can never be sure who it is, and they could be a threat to your life. Wild animals can also inhabit these abandoned buildings, so be wary.
[u][b]8. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.[/b][/u]
I must emphasize, [b]DON'T STEAL ANYTHING.[/b]
This is the absolute worse thing you can do. You cause several problems by doing this:
First of all if you get caught, you will probably be arrested for theft.
Secondly, and most importantly, your ruining the building for other explorers.
By stealing, you take away what makes the building interesting.
What's more interesting? A building left exactly how it was when it was abandoned, or a building stripped bare of everything by thieves?
You are exploring, not treasure hunting. This is not fallout 3, leave the loot behind and walk on.
Oh, and if you aren't interested in stealing things, don't senselessly destroy things, that's even worse.
Take photos of things, but nothing else.
Apart from that, when I mean don't leave anything except footprints, what I mean is don't leave things like graffiti and rubbish. It also ruins the building, and no one will be there to clean your mess up.
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23632_1262049273047_1284176537_30588113_2861667_n.jpg[/img]
Take this room for example, stripped bare of all the objects, covered with graffiti, and had rubbish left behind. Is this an interesting room? Not really.
Then look at this room.
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464148423_1284176537_30572148_6853993_n.jpg[/img]
Barely any graffiti, most things left in the same place.
There are even some of the uncompleted arts and crafts projects by the old pensioners still left behind:
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464188424_1284176537_30572149_8264467_n.jpg[/img]
Is this room interesting? Definitely.
If you see an interesting object, instead of stealing it, take a photo, and leave it for others to admire.
So remember, take only pictures, leave only footprints.
[u][b]9. I got caught, what do I do?[/b][/u]
Aren't you glad you didn't break and enter, stole things, and you didn't bring that bag of weed with you.
If you did, then you're in deep shit son. If you didn't just tell them you were only taking photos and maybe show them some. Demonstrate that you had no intention whatsoever to steal things, or leave graffiti. Say your an artist, say your a photographer, wibble sadly at the police officer. 9 out of 10 times they will let you go. Even if you do get arrested think of it like this:
[b]Situation 1:[/b] You played by the rules, and only took photographs - You are charged with trespassing, but it likely won't be taken to court, at most you will get a small fine. Most of the time you will just be given a warning and allowed to walk off.
[b]Situation 2:[/b] You didn't play by the rules, broke in, and stole and damaged things, you also took a bag of weed with you to pass the time, and a knife and some tools, etc. - You are charged with trespassing, possession of drugs, possession of lethal weapon, breaking and entering, littering, vandalism and thievery, you're going behind bars mate.
Just remember, they aren't trying to spoil your fun. These places are abandoned for a reason, they are often dangerous. They are only trying to keep people like you safe.
[u][b]10. Have fun.[/b][/u]
Remember, you are here to have fun. Play it by the rules, and your fun won't get spoiled.
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs367.snc3/23632_1262048113018_1284176537_30588088_2015253_n.jpg[/img]
I'd always take a multitool with me.
[editline]11:31AM[/editline]
Oh UK, probably there you get the chair for having a pocket knife with you
[QUOTE=evilking1;21324000]I'd always take a multitool with me.[/QUOTE]
Make sure it complies to your countries knife laws.
Your right, even though a lot of the things you come across you wouldn't mind bringing home, leave it for someone else to look at. A+ thread though, one of the most useful guides I've seen.
[editline]07:35AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=B-hazard;21324017]Make sure it complies to your countries knife laws.[/QUOTE]
Pretty sure even though they have knives in them they can be carried around by anyone. At least that's how it is in my state, Maine.
[img]http://i42.tinypic.com/2vsoodi.jpg[/img]
Anyhow, yes you shouldn't go alone. I've heard many stories about lone people getting stuck and died.
[QUOTE=B-hazard;21323981]
[u][b]7. Play it safe, and no I'm not talking about contraception.[/b][/u]
There are many dangers in a abandoned building, and I'm not going to be able to cover all the situations that will occur, that's why you need your common sense.
First of all, unless the building was built after 2000(in the UK, in the US they still use asbestos), it is highly likely that the building will have asbestos in it, so wear a P2 or P3 rated face mask, you can buy a 3 pack in homebase for £10.99 for god sake, so wear one! The building could also have lead based paint and harmful chemicals/airborne substances, so just wear one to be safe.[/QUOTE]
It's not like im gonna be in there for weeks. I once crawled into a old abandoned house and there was some asbestos in the house (warning signs) and my lungs didn't fuck up.
COUGHCOUGHCOUGHCOUGHCOUGHCOUGH
no, jk
[QUOTE=Fatfatfatty;21324100]It's not like im gonna be in there for weeks. I once crawled into a old abandoned house and there was some asbestos in the house (warning signs) and my lungs didn't fuck up.[/QUOTE]
enjoy your lung cancer
[QUOTE=Fatfatfatty;21324100]It's not like im gonna be in there for weeks. I once crawled into a old abandoned house and there was some asbestos in the house (warning signs) and my lungs didn't fuck up.[/QUOTE]
When you do Urban Exploring a lot it ads up, I also read that bird shit can do bad stuff to you lungs when you breathe it in, even if your exposed to it for a second.
So thank god I had my mask when I went in here:
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23632_1262054393175_1284176537_30588230_7624833_n.jpg[/img]
So the asbestos only affect you if your intentions were to explore?
What about the people that lived there before it became abandoned? I doubt they got lung cancer after an hour of moving in.
[QUOTE=B-hazard;21324135]When you do Urban Exploring a lot it ads up, I also read that bird shit can do bad stuff to you lungs when you breathe it in, even if your exposed to it for a second.
So thank god I had my mask when I went in here:
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23632_1262054393175_1284176537_30588230_7624833_n.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]
I only urban explored once myself, I think the house has been demolished now, but im not sure. If it becomes a habit, im gonna get me a set of masks.
[editline]11:51AM[/editline]
I think i have a gasmask at home, it's used if you're gonna paint boats with toxic color or something.
[QUOTE=starpluck;21324157]So the asbestos only affect you if your intentions were to explore?
What about the people that lived there before it became abandoned? I doubt they got lung cancer after an hour of moving in.[/QUOTE]
Asbestos deteriorates over time if it is not maintained, and turns into a dust, which is when it is harmful.
Many places have been abandoned for a heck of a long time, hence Asbestos is a danger.
I have a gas mask I got for free from the big Southern California fire of (October 2003) [url]http://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/28/california.wildfire/index.html[/url]
[QUOTE=starpluck;21324249]I have a gas mask I got for free from the big Southern California fire of (October 2003) [url]http://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/28/california.wildfire/index.html[/url][/QUOTE]
Then wear it if it can protect from harmful chemicals and asbestos, check what it is rated at.
[QUOTE=B-hazard;21324278]Then wear it if it can protect from harmful chemicals and asbestos, check what it is rated at.[/QUOTE]
How do you check the ratings?
I like to Urban Explore with my bike. Only with Urban Exploring I mean driving by old houses and running from the maniacs and druggies, and chavs which drink or do shit within.
Urban exploring sounds so fun, but with my luck there would be drug addicts waiting inside to stab me in the eyes with their dirty, rusty needles.
Really good thread. I've always wanted to try this I just need a location and some other people who want to try it.
Rated informative.
[QUOTE=endofworld96;21324050]Pretty sure even though they have knives in them they can be carried around by anyone. At least that's how it is in my state, Maine.[/QUOTE]
Oh look another FPer who lives in Maine. :v:
I'd too this but there's no abandoned buildings where I live. :frown:
[QUOTE=B-hazard;21323981]Definately[/QUOTE]
[url=http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/]Grammar Nazi to the rescue[/url]
Looks pretty cool. I once explored these old shacks which were about 500 meters from my house. Didn't find anything interesting though.
[QUOTE=evilking1;21324000]I'd always take a multitool with me.
[editline]11:31AM[/editline]
Oh UK, probably there you get the chair for having a pocket knife with you[/QUOTE]
The chair?
I'd like to try urban exploring, but there aren't any abandoned buildings in the area that I'm aware of. They are either demolished before I find out about them, or they are just too dangerous to go in.
Besides, I would be forced to go alone because some of my friends would pussy out and the rest would fuck the place up and/or bring weed with them.
[editline]03:16PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Jimbojib;21324452]The chair?[/QUOTE]
The electric chair.
[QUOTE=veribigbos1;21324456]I'd like to try urban exploring, but there aren't any abandoned buildings in the area that I'm aware of. They are either demolished before I find out about them, or they are just too dangerous to go in.
Besides, I would be forced to go alone because some of my friends would pussy out and the rest would fuck the place up and/or bring weed with them.
[editline]03:16PM[/editline]
The electric chair.[/QUOTE]
The none existant one? We don't have executions in the UK, or I am under a MASSIVE rock.
[QUOTE=starpluck;21324157]So the asbestos only affect you if your intentions were to explore?
What about the people that lived there before it became abandoned? I doubt they got lung cancer after an hour of moving in.[/QUOTE]
Asbestos in the lungs can cause cancer as late as 20 years after initial exposure meaning that most people with dangerous amounts of asbestos in their lungs don't even know it yet. Besides asbestos scars your lungs and hardens the lining of the lung tissue, so either way it'll fuck them up good.
This is interesting.
[B]This is a useful thread :) thanks![/B]
nice tips
Sometimes I wish this was fallout 3 you could freely go treasure hunting anywhere.
[QUOTE=FlyingDog;21324491]Asbestos in the lungs can cause cancer as late as 20 years after initial exposure meaning that most people with dangerous amounts of asbestos in their lungs don't even know it yet. Besides asbestos scars your lungs and hardens the lining of the lung tissue, so either way it'll fuck them up good.[/QUOTE]
oh fuck oh fuck were gonna be dead
I don't think it's harmful if you write somewhere unnoticeable your nickname and the date of you visit. Spraypainting or fucking places up is just stupid though.
[QUOTE=Zezibesh;21324843]I don't think it's harmful if you write somewhere unnoticeable your nickname and the date of you visit. Spraypainting or fucking places up is just stupid though.[/QUOTE]
Yeah I agree.
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