A Complete Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse

Initial Outbreak

So you've found yourself in the unlikely scenario of a zombie apocalypse, maybe you discovered the outbreak from a family member, or perhaps something as simple as the news. Regardless of your current situation you first need to procure yourself a variety of weapons. Various different weapons will do. Best case scenario you have access to a firearm. Shotgun, revolver, rifle, or a pistol will do wonderfully. Other valid weapons would include weapons that can keep you at a range, perhaps a compound bow, sword or polearm (spears included with the polearms.) You do not want, a weapon with range less than 2 feet. As we know little to nothing about this virus is remains better to try to not contaminate yourself by keeping a distance, and avoiding contact between bodily fluids. Though if nothing else is available take the longest smooth knife you have (not one used for sawing). 

     Each weapon you have has 2 important features, one it offers physical protection from zombies and people.  Having a weapon will also remove you from the path of least resistance for other predatory humans interested in taking what people have. Your going to have to balance the effectiveness of each weapon through your own experiences (perhaps you might be a skilled ax or knife thrower, or a HEMA practitioner), and of course what environment you are in (city, rural, suburban, or a secluded cabin the middle of Alaska). 

     Now that you have found a weapon, you need to decide your next course of action. Can you bug out or are you staying behind to ride out the next few weeks? If you have decided to bug out many of this chapter will be unimportant to you, I would recommend reading it regardless to gather the few bits of information that still apply. Assuming your riding out the next few weeks you have more decisions to make. Mainly can you hold out with what you have or is it an absolute necessity to go looting before you can be sure your safe. If your unsure if you can make it with what you have continue this paragraph. If you have decided to loot skip to the next paragraph. What do you have around you? if your concern is water, start filling whatever containers you can find, your bathtub, tupperware, swimming pool, plastic containers, and anything else you can think of. You'll be able to store enough water with some creativity. Worried about food? Your pet must be sacrificed to the dinner table unless they provide value (drug sniffing dog, hunting dog, service animal, ect) all cats will have to be sacrificed as they have no value. All types of pet food are edible as well. Ants and other insects can make a wonderful mush in fact they have a certain sweetness to them. Dandelions can be cooked into a soup, though does taste terrible.

    So looting is the way for you? Or maybe you just finish the last paragraph and are just reading down the page. Don't worry, this paragraph contains useful knowledge for everyone. Your going to want to gather clothes that will prevent you from catching the virus. Don't worry about "armor" to defend yourself against other people unless you already have it (though a bicycle helmet can't hurt). Reason being is armor will take too long construct wasting precious looting time. For your zombie virus protection clothes your going to want to get plastic sheets taped on your body, to prevent blood or other fluids getting on you, trash bags, tarps, and many other plastic materials will be great for this. Next your going to want to layer up on thick clothes, preferably 2 sets of jeans or more, this will prevent zombies scratching or biting. Though I wouldn't offer them my leg given the chance, wear boots if possible, and layer up topside as well, leather or denim jackets would be best, but multiple thick hoodies can do the trick, keep your face and hands uncovered, as grabbing, and visibility outweigh the cost of losing the protection.

     Regardless if you have chosen to loot, bug out, or camp it out, it would be wise to contact your most trusted family and designate a meeting place for a few months out (your going to need people later on, make sure to give a specific date, and start marking your calendar.) When looting take only what you absolutely need, its better to not fight over things such as guns, ammo, extra food, extra bottled water,  and various other items people seem to value so highly when you can just get what you need and get out before someone gets the idea to take what is yours. 

    Assuming you've completed your looting and managed to get back with enough to survive for 3 weeks (enough so that most people will have already be dead), you now need to secure your house. Though its important to not make it noticeable as that will attract unwanted attention. Secure your house by whatever you can, whether that means blocking off most the house and just making your bathroom an untouchable fortress, or moving to the basement, or your hidden bomb/storm shelter you already had installed. Basically your one goal is to hide in your house without getting caught. 

    Once you have secured your house it is necessary to get a bag ready with your most valuable items to get out if need be, you'll want to include identification papers, a weapon, some food and water, extra socks (you don't want trench feet do you?) medicines, illegal drugs/cigarettes ect (awesome for trading) and any precious objects that hold value such as gold or silver.

    Now you wait, stay on top of your calendar so you have the time to meet up with your family/friends that you planned to meet with. Entertain yourself with whatever you have and make sure to keep the noise down.