How long do zombies “live?” Contrary to popular belief, zombies are not immortal. Even though the zombies are technically dead beings, they still maintain some semblance of metabolic activity, and will eventually just….stop. That’s when it will be safe for humans to come out of their hiding places. Most zombies tend to live less than one year, and you can actually tell their age based on their necrotic degradation, or their level of decomposition.
These are your basic needs in order of priority: water, food, shelter, and weapons. ALWAYS have a weapon! Don’t ever keep “just enough,” but rather always know where the next supply is coming from. Keep in mind that some may have more than others, and previous worldly values are now a thing of the past. Have something to barter with should the need arise.
Another important thing to remember is that there is strength in numbers. Forming mutual survival arrangements is one of the most crucial elements of survival. Everyone needs someone to discuss ideas with, to share experience and knowledge with, and to fight off zombies with... however, while it is important to acquire survival partners, it is just as important to know when to turn people away in order to protect the group as a whole.
Let's say you find yourself in the midst of a combat situation. The most important thing to remember is to remain calm. Panic will most likely result in a mistake. Mistakes often lead to death. Calm your nerves, take a deep breath, and slow down. At the same time, act decisively without hesitation. The second most important thing is to use distance to your benefit. Zombies do not understand how to conventionally defend themselves, and melee combat is often very risky. Keeping a safe distance from zombies is less stressful than being in their immediate presence, and it gives you more time to think and act appropriately.
Always be alert, and always, always, ALWAYS expect trouble! Understand that no plan is foolproof and things will go wrong. Develop backup clients and never ever lower your guard. When walking into unknown territory the first thing you should do is locate weapons, exits, people, and supplies. Talk little. Listen well. And think thoroughly. Be aware of your actions, and remember lab sounds draw zombies. Long term thinking is the most critical thing you can do to survive during a zombie apocalypse. If you find it necessary bunker down outside of your main base, check your defenses often and reinforce frequently.
Another important thing to understand is that the human body is built to absorb damage. Melee type weapons are rarely one-shot kills. Unless you are incredibly skilled and strong, most melee attacks are multiple hits. You should always plan for this. Sometimes attacking other crucial parts of zombie’s body, such as neck or spine, can disable the zombie enough so that you can deliver the finishing blow.
If you find yourself in the midst of the large number of zombies, firepower may be your best bet. Each bullet is valuable, so use them with caution. Sure bursts of fire or single shots are much more accurate than spraying random fire into the mass. Remember that ammunition is worth more than gold during this crisis, and conservation is key.
Another valuable resource that you will need to conserve his energy. While melee attacks do not waste valuable ammunition, these types of attacks do consume energy. Adrenaline does not last forever, and very few people are in good enough shape to endure hours of melee. Make sure you eat. Ration your swings so that you have enough energy for the final retreat. You are no good to anyone if you slaying 40 zombies, but you can't make it back to base without collapsing.
Adaptability is one of the most important qualities you possess during an invasion. The basic principle is adapt or die. Modern civilization is gone, and mentally this and other natural disasters can impact your life more than you might expect. Practice and prepare for the worst possible scenario, combat included. During the down times, alternate taking watch and working with each type of weapon. Know each and every type of weapon and know it well. Know how to quickly cycle and reload your weapons, and go through combat simulations if possible.
Develop a firearms safety protocol and always observe it when within your fortress. Never assume that safety is on or that the gun is unloaded, and never pointed at another individual or yourself. Know the last time your weapon was serviced and what types of ammunition it uses.
When you are on the move, or out scourging for supplies, keep a sharp eye out possible shelter location and supply houses. In this time it is survival of the fittest. Kindness, compassion, and generosity are now luxuries and could possibly lead to needless deaths. It is up to you individually to determine how much admirable humanity you can afford. Only the strong survive.
The final thing to consider during a zombie apocalypse is your “Last Resort Plan". There may come a time where you have to accept the fight is over. Most would prefer a quick painless death over becoming a zombie dinner or dying of thirst, disease, or the elements. Many people would choose to die over becoming a flesh eating zombie. If you still have a firearm, then this plan is simple. Regardless, it is better to have a plan without the need, then to have been the and not the plan.
Preparation
As we discussed in the previous chapter, preparation is the key to surviving any type of dangerous situation. Not only must you prepare her surroundings and your staples, but you must also prepare your body physically and your mind mentally. The latter is often the hardest to obtain. Different environments and different types of disasters present a multitude of dangers that require various skill sets. While zombies are of the utmost threat level, one must also be concerned hunger, thirst, health, disease, climate and terrain, fear, and stress.
The time is now to develop your skills. Learn principles and techniques that one might need to survive any type of life-threatening situation. Take survival classes, and read survival books. Take time to think about what you could do in different types of disaster situations, and make plans. Make sure your body is in peak physical condition. Not only will this make you stronger, but it will build endurance and help you keep your mind sharp in stressful type situations. This is important for any time in your life, not just in disasters. Keep your weight at a healthy level and try to exercise daily. Cardiovascular fitness is much more important than strength training.
One of the most successful components of a threatening situation is mental preparedness. The more plans you have previously determined, the easier it will be to enact them in a stressful situation. If you are emotionally prepared as well, you're more likely to break down or become infected or commit suicide out of complete despair. During the apocalypse, there will be many deaths, and much suffering, and you must be prepared to handle this type of stress and grief. You may even have to take out your best friends or family members if they become infected. You may also have to be prepared to become the last human on earth. This is a great weight on one person’s shoulders.
An alternative type of shelter that wasn't greatly discussed in the previous chapter is the secluded retreat. Avoid any handy populated areas is also as effective as boarding up in an old department store. A secluded farmhouse or cabin far out in the country makes for a defensible fortress if properly stockpiled and barricaded. Make sure you have lots of water, nonperishable food, seeds, clothing, weapons, ammo, firewood and equipment. Set up watchtowers and video surveillance if at all possible. Sleep in shifts.
Hide an emergency survival kit in a secret place that an easily accessible. This emergency kit should be in addition to your main stockpile. This bag will serve as a backup should your main source of goods be compromised. This kit should include nonperishable food, communications gear, tools, weapons, medical supplies, fire starting materials and water purification tablets. You might even want to stash multiple G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) kits in various areas, including vehicles and bunkers. These types of bags should only include as much as the user can carry, but as a good role should contain at least three days’ worth of supplies as this is often how long it takes for outside help to arrive.
Shelters
A shelter or base is any type of location
or structure that provides cover from the elements and serves as an operations headquarters during a zombie attack. It can be permanent or temporary and should provide enough space for all parties of the group sleep and store supplies. Your shelter will be one of the most important elements while trying to survive the apocalypse. When deciding where your base will be, you should establish the overall needs of the group and what kind of threat level you are facing. A good shelter should be easy to defend and large enough support the entire group. There are very specific factors that should determine the type of building you select, and there are certain disadvantages and advantages to each type.
Here is a list of possible shelter locations:
Temporary bases- these types of bases should be considered strictly temporary and last resort.
restaurants
billboards
small bunkers-for groups of ten or less. Leaves smaller footprint. Easy to defend.
farms
apartments
homes
gun shops
stores
caves
lighthouses
under an overpass
mobile bases, such as campers or RV’s
hotels
warehouses
police stations
churches
supermarkets
boats
radio stations
hospitals
malls (not recommended)
prisons
military bases
airports
Just keep in mind that nowhere is completely safe, but some places are safer than others.
When trying to decide what type of shelter you will use you should ask yourself a few simple questions.
1.
Is this location easily defendable/
2.
Is this location big enough to support the entire group?
3.
Is this area free of any known zombie activity?
4.
Can the area surrounding the base be secured quickly and easily?
The most ideal location should have as few as possible ground level entrances and window. Multiple floors are better than single level locations, as higher levels provide areas of retreat in the events the lower-level becomes compromised. One thing you should do upon securing a multilevel location is to remove the stairs and replace them with ladders that can be retreated if necessary. Create multiple escape routes that lead to the emergency supply locations.
The Other Bad Guys
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, you will have more enemies than just the undead ones. As with any natural or unnatural disaster, there will be riots, looting, and person-to-person violence. These people are often called bandits, and they will attack other survivors. These people had many different types of motives that can vary from slavery, harassment, or thievery. The size of these groups can also vary dramatically from group to group. They are can be small groups or single bandits wandering about still supplies, or highly organized syndicates looking to take over the world. The background of these other bad guys can also vary dramatically. They may simply be lone stragglers that are desperate for weapons or supplies, or rouge units of criminals who feel they are able to take whatever they want.
Some of these people have no shame and will use threats, blackmail, or violence to get whatever they want from desperate survivors. These types of criminals band together in mass numbers in times of crisis or chaos, particularly when society is at its weakest. In the event of a zombie uprising one may notice that bandit numbers rise dramatically as the crisis worsens. When pushed to desperation these people may turn to cannibalism as a means to survive. However, more than likely, they are simple civilians who have never had any type of formal training. Therefore, they could possibly be easily defeated or frightened, but as always the main objective is survival. These bandits may outnumber your group and you should use extreme discretion upon encountering one of these cells.
Groups of bandits should be avoided if at all possible. It is human nature to want to seek out other survivors and band together in large groups; however you should use extreme caution upon finding any groups who are advertising to dangerous survivors. Never attack a group of bandits unless you are pushed to the limit. Bandits rarely work alone, and will often have stockpiles of weapons. If you do engage in an attack the enemy, move out quickly and try to make the bodies look like it was a zombie attack, just in case their buddies come looking. Really fortify your base, and use extreme caution when inviting newcomers into your group. Bandits are known for sending in a decoy.
Have any massive weapons such as artillery cannons or RPG's, keep them clearly visible on your base. Bandit groups, no matter how large, will seriously reconsider attacking any group that housing a tank. If you do in fact find yourself surrounded, and outgunned by bandits, the best idea might be to give them what they are asking for. Most bandits will not attack you if it isn't worth wasting their own resources. So never advertise what you have in your stockpile.
In any event, your group should always appear to be strong and vigilant.
Strategies and Tactics
Strategy is an overall campaign, while tactics are the actual means used to reach an objective. It's an overall goal is for one country to defeat another country in a war, the main strategy could be to prevent the other country from engaging in war by completely annihilating their military. Tactics support this strategy might be surprise attacks, missile attacks, and other specific centralized attacks.
Here is a list of smaller scale tactics that are for use with 0 to 2 partners, and can be implemented on the fly.
Defilade and Enfilade - Locate in an advantageous position to fire from that can also cover incoming fire.
Lumberjack-- this tactic requires two people who alternate using melee weapons to attack a zombie with a minimal number of swings.
Fishing—fishing is the art of drawing zombies into a designated area.
Defend limited approach—use mobility against your foe so that only a small number of enemies can approach at any given time
Here is a list of medium scale tactics that are for use with 3 to 11 partners. These tactics usually demand some type of preparation for rehearsal.
Aerial attack-- this type of attack is initiated by from large groups of zombies into a designated area, and destroying them from the air.
The defend a limited approach method also works well for medium scale tactics.
Here is a list of large scale tactics to be used with more than a dozen participants. These tactics are very complex and require advance preparation or rehearsal, and may also require real-time guidance.
Raiding-- this is the art of sneaking in and stealing another's stockpile. I would recommend scavenging over raiding, but to each his own.
Bartering-- bartering can serve as an alternative way of purchase when money no longer has value. This type of system will be much more prevalent as the current monetary system will begin to fail in the event of a zombie apocalypse.
Caravanning-- gather together a group of wagons or trucks or anything that can be used to carry supplies and use this caravan to move to a safe zone. Remember there is power in numbers. This is only a temporary tactic.
Beating the Zombies…DEFEAT!
Zombies are attracted to loud noises, lights, and human flesh. If you keep this in mind, there are lots of ways that you can maneuver zombies to your benefit. You can set off car alarms, create a large pile of dead animals, or use spotlights or strobe lights to draw their attention so that you can make an escape.
Burning zombies is the most effective way to completely destroy them. Therefore fire weapons are highly recommended, such as Molotov cocktails. These weapons are ideal as they are easy to make, they are very effective, and they can destroy a large area. One thing to remember when using fire weapons are that fire can sometimes be hard to control, and should only be used for zombie traps. Grenades are also highly effective zombie offensive weap
ons, but usually are very hard to come by. Large amounts of extreme electrical current will also cause a zombie to burst into flames.
ZOMBIES!!! Your Complete Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse Page 2
