Zombie Survival: Why You Should Have A Plan

Zombies have been getting a lot of attention lately. Video games, movies, books, comics, board games and even snack foods have been featuring these (hopefully fantasy) creatures for a while now. I've always been a fan of zombies. I think that of all the things that could hunt you, undead people have got the be the most scary and the most deadly. It doesn't matter if they move slow or fast, they inspire terror and cause the most destruction. I prefer the "viral infection" story as the cause rather than aliens, bugs or a curse because it seems the most likely to come true.

My brother and I have been playing a lot of the game "Left For Dead" 1 & 2 and it got me thinking about a course of action, should the tradegy actually occur. I'm sure most people have some vague idea of their strategy for when the zombie appocolypse occurs, but I think we should all have a detailed and well prepared plan. Even if zombies never come, we should still be prepared for the worst - no matter what form it takes.

Most people will have a video game/movie themed plan of stocking-up-on-guns-&-ammo-&-holding-up-in-a-costco-until-help-arrives plan - but let's be realistic here. When it goes down, everyone else is going to be on that same mission or in a panic. It's up to you to protect yourself and survive and you need to be prepared. You should have everything you need in your home or within reach for the best odds.

*Disclaimer*

This hub is strictly for entertainment purposes. I am not a professional and have no experience with zombie survival.

Remember: fighting zombies is a theoretical process and cannot be predicted. We may never have to fight them. The virus could be airborne and we'll all be zombies with no human survivors. They may not even be kill-able.

First on my list of preparedness, is water, quickly followed by food. Our bodies need both to live and if you're fighting zombies day and night, you'll need to keep up your strength. Most of us live in the city, where we don't have our own wells. When the power gets shut off, so does the water. I have bottled water stocked up to last me a couple of weeks. Ideally, you'll want to have enough to last at least 6 months because you never know how long it will take help to arrive (think of the last hurricane or earthquake) or if it even will. Bottled water does have an expiration date, so you'll want to rotate your stash to make sure you don't have a supply of undrinkable water.

Food is also really important. Even if all you can store is a small cupboard of canned goods, it's better than going hungry. Rice, beans, sugar, salt, oats, and whole grains can be life savers when it comes to survival. I'd rather eat a steady diet of rice/beans than slowly starve to death. This is also where canned goods come in handy, because you can add some tuna or veggies to your rice for extra nutrition & flavor. Buy a couple cans each time you get groceries, so it doesn't break the bank and you'll slowly build your survival stash.  You need to keep your energy levels up if you're going to deal with the stress of zombie fighting.  Pick items that are high in protein and fats, because you'll be burning calories day & night.

Fighting zombies can be an art.  Obviously, you don't want to get too close or you risk contamination so you'll need some sort of long range weapon or a very strong fortress.  Guns are the obvious choice here but they aren't for everyone.  If you choose to go the gun route, you need to know how to use one before the emergency requires it.  Take a class to familiarize yourself and practice often so you don't waste ammo when the time comes.  The type of gun is up to you, but pick something with enough power to stop the zombies in one shot or buy a mountain of bullets.

Melee fighting may be necessary at some point.  This is where physical fitness becomes important.  They say that only the strong survive and if you want to make it, you need to be in shape.  You don't need to be excessively strong, but endurance will be important so start on the cardio!  The weapon is up to you - you'll want something that can do some major damage so it doesn't take too long or too much energy to use.  I suggest a machete or other sharp weapon with a little reach that can be resharpened because whacking zombies will take the edge off.

Most people don't consider the aspect of personal body armor.  You never see people padding up in the movies or games and we've all seen how it only takes a scratch to become infected.  Good body armor is lightweight and allows you to move freely and will help guard against a rogue attack.

First aid is another thing you should become familiar with.  You'll need to have bandages, antiseptic and aspirin on hand.  It's also a good idea to know CPR and how to stop bleeding.  You don't know how long it will take to get medical attention and you don't want to be helpless.

Oral care is something that is easy to overlook.  Imagine being in a survival situation and having a massive toothache or not being able to eat.  Stock up on toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss and remember to use them!

The right clothes are also important.  If you're on the move, dress in layers and in weather appropriate gear.  Even if you're holed up somewhere, you still need to be comfortable and clean.

Next time you're at work or school, think about an escape plan. When panic takes over, crowds easily (and quickly) become deadly in themselves by moving in the wrong direction or trampling each other. Know where the exits are and how to navigate to them quickly and safely. Naturally, you'll want to stick with the group and help people in need, but you need to remember to watch your own back first and only extend a helping hand if you are actually able to do so without endangering yourself. You won't do anyone any good dead or injured.

At home, you should have the same kind of strategy. Know where the weak points are, where you can hole up if you need to and the best place to defend from. Ideally, you'll want your food and water stores to be in your safe room so you can actually access them. It won't do you any good to stock up and then lose everything when emergency strikes.