How to Survive a Zombie Attack

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Let's face it. With the constant advances in science and technology, waking up one day to discover three-quarters of your local population have been slaughtered and recruited by the walking dead doesn't seem as far-fetched as it used to. The possibility of a zombie attack seems more likely than ever. When that fateful day arrives you will want to make sure you're prepared to not only defend yourself against them, but to survive.
Table of Contents
Tips for Surviving Zombies
1. Be prepared.
2. Know the route to the nearest superstore, school or shopping mall.
3. Learn how to use a firearm.
4. Know your enemy.
5. Run, run, run!
6. Find a place to hide.
7. Connect with other survivors.
8. Take out anyone who has been bitten before they turn.
9. Defend yourself to the best of your ability.
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jennybeanses

Let's face it. With the constant advances in science and technology, waking up one day to discover three-quarters of your local population have been slaughtered and recruited by the walking dead doesn't seem as far-fetched as it used to. The possibility of a zombie attack seems more likely than ever. When that fateful day arrives you will want to make sure you're prepared to not only defend yourself against them, but to survive.
Introduction
- Zombies are the stuff nightmares are made of. These half-rotten bodies rise from the grave craving flesh, and drag their mangled corpses toward the living with one word on their worm-chewed lips, "Brains." Since your brain is what separates you from the walking dead, keeping it intact is one of the most critical parts to surviving a zombie attack. You know what happens if they get you; you become one of them. Nobody wants that.
- Surviving a zombie attack isn't going to be easy, but with a cool head, the right tools and a good plan, you can tilt the odds in your favor.
Step 1: Preparing for the Inevitable
- Your friends and family will probably laugh at you when they find out you're preparing a plan to face the living dead, but Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." USHistory.org: The Electric Ben Franklin Applying Franklin's advice to the possibility of a zombie outbreak will not only set you well on your way to survival, but you'll also have a chance to play the hero when your unprepared friends and family come running.
- Here's how you can make sure you're ready in the event of an outbreak:
1. Study as much as you can about zombie outbreaks so you are able to recognize one as early as possible. WikiHowl: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
2. Familiarize yourself with all of the local retailers that carry guns and ammo. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
3. Map the quickest routes to the largest nearby retail centers like a grocery store, shopping mall or superstore. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
  - Un-infested shopping malls and superstores like Wal-Mart or Target have potential for long-term survival for small groups of the living.
4. Since Zombies are easily destroyed by fire, keep an extra can of gasoline on hand. Wired: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse(April 30, 2008)
5. Scope out local shelters and know their entrances. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
6. Get yourself a firearm and learn how to use it. Wired: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse(April 30, 2008)
  - Remember the only way to stop a zombie target with a firearm is with a bullet to the brain, so practice, practice, practice! Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
7. If possible, stockpile ammunition because you're going to need a lot of it. Zombies: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
8. Put together a zombie attack care-kit that includes things like batteries, flashlights, canned goods, an emergency radio and first aid kit. HowStuffWorks: How Zombies Work: Zombie Survival
- Keep in mind that it's probably better if you don't mention to too many other people that you're preparing for a zombie outbreak. The last place you want to be during a zombie attack is locked up in a hospital mental facility. People infected with early strains of the zombie virus, Solanum, will flock to hospitals to find out what's wrong, and you'll wind up trapped in the eventual war zone. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
Step 2: Know Your Enemy
- No matter what kind of attack you face it is an essential battle strategy to know your enemy as well as you know yourself. As the living dead, zombies are a unique enemy. People often make the mistake of not taking them seriously because of their physical appearance and limitations. Familiarize yourself with the different types of zombies. Recognition will make it easier to assess the threat so you are able to properly defend yourself.
The Types of Zombies
1. Haitian Voodoo Zombies: These animated corpses are the most harmless type of zombies, since they don't generally try to eat the living. Controlled by a voodoo master, they may try to kill you if that is what their master wants. Wired: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (April 03, 2008)
2. The Philosophical Zombie: These are every day people who have no sense of self or existence. They simply go through the motions of living and stop there. Zombies: Types of Zombies This breed many not want to eat your brains, but their thoughtlessness alone could be fatal.
3. Hollywood Zombie: Your most typical form of zombie, they move slowly and love to feast on brains. Zombies: Types of Zombies
4. New School Hollywood Zombie: Unlike their predecessors, the new school Hollywood breed of zombie move quickly and climb buildings almost as well as Spider-Man. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
Zombie Appearance and Hygiene
- With the number of philosophical zombies out in the world, determining a zombie threat might prove somewhat difficult. Zombies: Types of Zombies Here are a few warning signs that should make it easier to distinguish a zombie threat:
1. Disheveled personal appearance: Zombie Warning: How to Identify a Zombie
  1. Torn or severely wrinkled clothing.
  2. Muddy clothing.
  3. Unkempt hair.
  4. Dirty fingernails.
2. They may not respond when you try to communicate. Zombie Warning: How to Identify a Zombie
3. If they smell dead, chances are they probably were once.
4. Skin may appear clammy or even decomposed. Zombie Warning: How to Identify a Zombie
5. They will often linger around cemeteries, especially those that have recently risen from the dead. eHow: How to Identify a Zombie
6. Staggering movement, much like someone trying to walk after both of their legs has fallen asleep. eHow: How to Identify a Zombie
Zombie Capabilities
- Since you're going to be battling and evading zombies, it's best if you know what to expect from them physically:
1. Most zombies will only be able to do things they were physically capable of before they became zombies, so you can rule out flying, mind-melding, telepathy and other extreme capabilities. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
2. The majority of zombies can't run. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
3. Some of the new school Hollywood zombies are capable of moving with incredible speed. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
4. Night vision is a likely possibility, considering how easily many zombies get around in the dark. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
5. They tend to have impeccable hearing. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
6. Their heightened sense of smell will guide them toward fresh prey every time. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
7. There is no evidence on whether their taste is altered, but they do prefer human flesh over the flesh of other animals. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
Step 3: Fighting Zombies
- There may come a time when you will have no choice but to stand up and face the enemy. Here are some important things to keep in mind while fighting zombies:
1. Never physically wrestle a zombie. You will only wind up getting bit. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
2. Anything you can lift, throw or swing is a potential weapon.
3. If you only have a blunt object, like a pipe or crowbar, aim for the head and smash. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
4. Small objects, like butter knives, forks or even pens, can be lodged into an eye socket at close range. WikiHowl: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
5. Decapitation is an option if you are able to get close enough with a sword or chainsaw. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
6. When defending your hide out, put together an arsenal of homemade explosives from the stock of cleaning supplies. Seopher: How to Survive a Zombie Attack in Britain (November 12, 2006)
7. Guns put distance between you and the enemy, minimizing your chances of being bitten. WikiHowl: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
8. Because fire is also a great weapon, use it to your advantage whenever possible. Wired: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse(April 30, 2008)
9. Do everything you can to notify Armed Forces. Seopher: How to Survive a Zombie Attack in Britain (November 12, 2006)
10. If all else fails, and you find yourself weaponless among a horde of zombies, you can try to act like one of them, but only long enough to get out of reach. Zombies: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  - Warning: This tactic is only recommended under the most dire of circumstances. There is no guarantee that zombie imitation actually works. Random House: The Zombie Survival Guide
Step 4: Early Strategies
- In the early stages of an outbreak how you defend yourself is going to determine how far you advance as a survivor. There are a number of important strategies to self-defense that may seem simple, but are equally important.
Buddy Up | Add a Link
- '''Remember:''' anyone who has been bitten by a zombie cannot be saved. It's only a matter of time before they turn and put your entire survival operation at risk. A zombie attack is not the time to get emotional or nostalgic. Take out your gun and put
- You may feel a little bitter after the attack when your surviving friends and family come running to you for help, but consider this your opportunity to play the hero. The more people you have on your side, the better your chances of survival.
  Hiding
  
  With zombies walking around everywhere, you're going to need to find a safe place to hide. The best hiding place is a place that's easy to defend and provides survival necessities like food, water, first aid supplies, tools and weapons.
  
  Good hiding places:
  
  School or university buildings, preferably with a cafeteria. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  The supermarket. Seopher: How to Survive a Zombie Attack in Britain (November 12, 2006)
  Shopping malls or department stores. MTV: How Do You Survive A Zombie Attack? Scary-Movie Vets Roth, Tarantino, Raimi Give Advice (October 30, 2007)
  Superstores like Wal Mart or Target. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  
  Bad hiding places:
  
  Shopping malls can be a dangerous hiding place because there are too many entrances to guard. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  Basements, houses and garages are no escape zones. Zombies: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  A car to which you don't have the keys. HowStuffWorks: Zombie Survival
  Any building that offers a way in and no way out.
  Elevators. Remember there are reasons they say to avoid elevators in an emergency. Consider Zombies one of those reasons.
  
  Once you have a secure hiding place, reinforce it against attack and regularly maintain the reinforcements. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
- Running | Add a Link
  
  Running may sound like the simplest advice in the world, but when it comes to the traditional Hollywood zombie, it is probably your best defense. Since most traditional zombies move very slowly, run away as fast as you can, and never look
- Step 5: Long Term Survival
  
  There is no telling how long a zombie attack will last. If the virus runs rampant across the entire country, your only hope for survival is a long term plan.
  
  Don't put all of your stock in a big government or military rescue. Immediately resign yourself to the notion that you are on your own. Survival Topics: 9-Point Survival Plan
  Research disaster preparedness techniques now.
  Learn how to survive in the wilderness. Wilderness Survival: Train to Survive
  Zombies are less likely to be found in places with fewer people to feast on, so consider taking to the woods.
  
  Skills like hunting, fishing, identifying nonpoisonous plants for food, building a fire without matches and finding safe shelter are a must-have. Wilderness Survival: Train to Survive
  Practice your survival skills so you are ready when the time comes. Survival Topics: 9-Point Survival Plan
  
  Learn safety and first aid beforehand so you can take care of other survivors. Lace to Leather: Survival Essentials
  In all group situations it is essential to establish leadership. If you aren't comfortable in this position, support someone who is. Zombie Survival & Defense Wiki: How to Maintain Leadership in an Undead World
  Stable leadership is essential to community survival.
  A good leader will make sure survivors feel a familiar sense of comfort and stability in a world gone mad. Zombie Survival & Defense Wiki: How to Maintain Leadership in an Undead World
  They will also ensure that things get done right.
  
  Taking over and fortifying a superstore is your best chance at longterm survival, especially if you have a group of survivors working together. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  If you can get the tap water to work, fill every available container in the store with it so you have a good supply of fresh water. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  Ration current food and supplies.
  Take into consideration the expiration dates and spoilage of certain foods.
  
  You should have a pretty good stock of batteries for things like flashlights and two way radios. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  Indoor gardening will provide you with food. Head to the garden center and start hauling planting soil and seeds to the roof. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  If you live in a region that has harsh winters, you may want to try growing indoors.
  
  Access to plumbing and running water probably won't last long. You'll want to set aside an area of the roof for human waste so it doesn't contaminate your living space. Kuro5hin: How to Survive a Zombie Attack
  
  Worst Case Scenario: If you find yourself stranded and your chance of survival is slim, you may want to consider ending your life before you starve to death. Starving to death almost guarantees that you come back from the dead hungrier than ever. Seopher: How To Survive a Zombie Attack in Britain (November 12, 2006)
- Conclusion
  
  Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to zombies. They have evolved in Hollywood in ways no one ever imagined, and an actual attack may be nothing like we'd expect. It isn't certain how long they will survive once their food supply is cut off, so long-term planning is the most effective way to ensure your survival in the face of disaster. Keep a clear head, put together a plan and remember that sometimes the best strategy is a good pair of running shoes.
- References for How to Survive a Zombie Attack
References

How to Survive a Zombie Attack

Table of Contents

Tips for Surviving Zombies

Related Mahalo Pages

Categories

Recent Contributors

Introduction

Step 1: Preparing for the Inevitable

Step 2: Know Your Enemy

The Types of Zombies

Zombie Appearance and Hygiene

Zombie Capabilities

Step 3: Fighting Zombies

Step 4: Early Strategies

Buddy Up | Add a Link

Hiding

Running | Add a Link

Step 5: Long Term Survival

Conclusion

References for How to Survive a Zombie Attack

References

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