The Zombie Apocalypse Forum-Writ Survival Guide!

[Thanq]

It would also be wise to learn of the location of other survivor settlements (If at all).

Very very useful advice. Find 'em, then join 'em. If the zombies can get together in hordes, then so can you! Remember: Safety in numbers.

And no intarwebs. Most likely the ISPs will be knocked out, and computers take up a lot of space and electricity.

Look, I'm pretty sure zombies aren't smart enough to know what an ISP is, let alone take one out. I'd say, find the internet where you can and then find people there. Post a thread on every forum you know and can find, then put cookies on the comp to alert you if anyone posts. However, this is only applicable if you're in a group and if you're on your own then do not follow this advice. Alone, the time this would take would be way too long. This time could be used for finding supplies, raiding shops, etc.

 

[ABY57]

I'll consider myself a hybrid then. I can go a while without food...I skip breakfast and put off lunch a lot. I wasn't saying my high metabolism was an advantage, just that i wouldn't get fat and can run around easier. I was talking mostly on how it also contributes to my being a picky eater, thus the two bases. And I think i was talking about Super Wal-mart, not Target...It's one of those 2, both have lots of things to keep you entertained and alive.

 

[propertyofcobra]

Okay. I'll add onto my earlier post, but only by a little bit to adress some points made by other people.

First off, a lot of my guide was based on long-term planning. This is because everyone knows about the short term. We've all played, or at least heard of, Resident Evil. "Shoot them in the head", and "Get out of the city" don't really need to be said, I believe. If they do...screw it, you're zombie chow. I assume you know the bare basics of survival here.

Mainly, the thing about the isolation area (into which you put people for a five day period upon entering your home/base/fortress/what have you).
I'm not talking about putting them into a little concrete hole and shoving food through a flap every day. I'm talking about putting them in a reasonably nice room with a lock on the outside, give them stuff to read, there's no problem in talking to people outside. Etc.
The only thing you're looking for, really, is signs of infection caused by anything but wounds (a good example would be bloodsplatter in the eyes/mouth).

And of course, some people have noted that the mesh fencing is not a great idea. And frankly, it might not be. Of course you should have several exit strategies from your home/base/fortress. I thought that did not need elaboration, but clearly it might. Maybe I'll write an entire book that goes into detail. Maybe something like "The Zombie Survival Guide", under a pen name. Maybe Something Brooks...
The point is, the wire meshing is there for one simple reason: Make sure that the everyday tasks of agricultural life are not interrupted by your arm getting chewed off by the hordes of the undead.
Multiple gates, exits and otherwise ways to get out that zombies will not understand or destroy is a given. The basics of the wire mesh fence (triple layer was mainly an idea, really) is that...
A: It is see-through. You will see zombies in all directions.
B: It is shoot-through.
C: It is not walk-through.
D: You can tell if something's gotten through very easily.

The stilt idea, while decent, provides the simple problem of that whenever you go out during the days to farm (what else are you gonna eat, huh?), there is an element of risk.
The mesh fencing exists for the very basic reason of minimizing that risk.

And finally, if the zombie apocalypse does happen, I'll be holed up in a building somewhat east of Omaha, Nebraska. Find me, and find me fast. I'll keep you alive, see if I don't.

 

[ABY57]

And finally, if the zombie apocalypse does happen, I'll be holed up in a building somewhat east of Omaha, Nebraska. Find me, and find me fast. I'll keep you alive, see if I don't.

Right...I'll need a map and either a lot of driving or walking...I'll have to remember Omaha, Nebraska...fun

 

[Haliwali]

I live around the lakes in Tennessee, and most of them are manmade. Over farms. With silos. Taking a boat out to one of those silos would give you Height, Visibility, Concrete Structure, and open space for personal farming.

 

[Yan-Yan]

I'm going to go a bit scientific on this, because it has been in my head a bit (god i'm nerdy...) but if you haven't found enough reason to stay away from big cities yet, read any of the several articles about "what happens when we're gone" for information about how many cities will begin crumbling withing a month. Power will be out, subways will flood, corrosion will then collapse the subways and cause dangerous terrain in the streets, as well as destroying buildings.

Once intelligent humans are gone, animals we've been hunting will begin repopulating (hi wolves), animals we've domesticated will start fading out (bye cows) and anything you think of as 'not a food source' you should begin to see as a food source. This is no time to get squeemish about eating a squirrel, skunk, snake, or someone's beloved pet. Yes, Fluffy the kitty is cute, but Fluffy's owner just tried to bite your arm, I think you can justify eating their cat.

And speaking of food, the initial outbreak will be full of looting and stealing as everyone else hits up the grocery stores, Super Wal-Marts, and other plentiful places of pleasurable foods. If you can, army surplus stores are the way to go. BDUs are tough clothes (i've literally been lifted by my belt during an exercise once), MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) will last longer then you, and are PACKED with nutrition for the active zombie fighter, and weapons that can be used as tools, and tools that can be used as weapons abound.

Once set with a ruckpack, tools, food and weapons, shelter is the next step. If your residence is no good (see big cities) or unsecured, then remote locations are good for 'waiting it out'. But keep in mind, you'll wait a long time for it to be safe. If your goal is to 'gather and grow', then check into your local prison. It's got high fences, large walls, guns, ammo, lots of room, a generator, vehicles, open spaces for farming and they stock food in advance.

And lastly, no matter how dangerous the zombie horde is, your fellow man is always so much more deadly.

Look, I'm pretty sure zombies aren't smart enough to know what an ISP is, let alone take one out.

True, the zombies won't. But when power fails because there's no one to maintain the plants, an ISP will not stay up on our happy thoughts. Blackberries and such would be handy for the start, but eventually the internet will fail, one page at a time.

 

[Calobi]

People are, for the most part, seeming to agree that the Internet will go bye-bye after the outbreak. Maybe not immediately, but without power Yan-Yan is right, one page at a time. However, laptops and other such mobile devices can make networks that are wireless. So if enough people are near each other, or are in such positions they can make a chain of these networks, a psuedo-Internet could still be formed.
Power would still be needed, but solar can charge a laptop just as fast as the more normal (in my area at least) coal power plants.

 

[Copter400]

Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

 

[Haliwali]

If you're planning on travel, I suggest a large bus or semi for distances, but on top or inside its a good idea to have something like bikes or four-wheelers (that's what there called around here, you may know em as something different.)

 

[propertyofcobra]

Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

More than ANY other reason, weight, noise, unreliability, etc. don't use chainsaws because the bloodsplatter, being extreme when using such a weapon, will surely hit your face. If it gets in your eye, or on your lips, it's GAME. OVER.

 

[ABY57]

Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

More than ANY other reason, weight, noise, unreliability, etc. don't use chainsaws because the bloodsplatter, being extreme when using such a weapon, will surely hit your face. If it gets in your eye, or on your lips, it's GAME. OVER.

That's what the Ski-Mask was truly, originally made for. Just put one on, and put on some shades, and you'll be set. The other reasons have some ground though...

 

[BlueMage]

For Australians, I'd suggest a little trip down to your local Bunning's (in your newly acquired, thank you Mr. Bighter, tank) to stock up on shovels, rebar, bricks, hoes, trolleys, hot dogs, etc.

I'll second that. In particular though, aim to get yourself a nylon-handle axe or pickaxe - even a weak child could swing one of these things effectively, so you have yourself a decent weapon with a bit of reach.

 

[NickSettle]

Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

What about a lwanmower like in Braindead xD

 

[Limasol]

And for god sakes know the location of your nearest stash of guns, luckily i do, and its in a complex that would be easy to fortify.

Don't be sentimental, if your friend is a zombie, hes not your friend anymore.

 

[ABY57]

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

 

[ZenMonkey47]

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

However, plate would be hot, noisy, cumbersome, and heavy (especially if you're not trained in its use). Chain is better, but still noisy (remember that the undead have pretty darn good hearing to make up for their poor eyesight). Also, consider that most initial zombie bites don't occur on the head or chest as much as your arms and legs.

So if knight is out, why not rocker? A leather jacket and pants with high laced boots. Easy to move in, but heat is still an issue. Denim can be considered the poor man's substitute. It's breathable and can protect against skin breakage. Leather gloves and boots are still recommended.

 

[Calobi]

I'd have to say, while impregnable, plate mail takes time to to don. Also, knights never put their armor on by themselves, they had squires aid them. If knights, the people this armor was developed for, couldn't do it, I doubt any 21st geek/nerd (face it, if you're posting here you are one) would be hard-pressed to do so.
Also, plate mail (and other armor from that period) couldn't be comfortably or realistically put right on. You'd need multiple layers of other clothes like leather and/or some sort of heavy cloth, under it. This is not practical to put on every day, nor to wear all the time. A person is just as dead whether it be from a zombie or heat-stroke.