I can't help but find it rather entertaining to read all the comments from people saying they are going to use knives and swords to fight zombies. I'm under impression that these zombies are nearly impossible to kill with any damage other than destroying the brain, and almost any melee weapon will be highly impractical, because of the skill required to use it, and the fact that in order to be able to attack the head, you need to get very close, which of course puts you in munching range of the zombies. Even if you manage to stick a zombie in the head, good luck getting the knife out most of the time.
Anywhoo, let's get this zombie survival party started:
I. Outfit (as many clothes in camo-pattern as possible)
(1) Light boots, preferably waterproof, that are comfortable enough to walk and run long distances.
(2) Wool socks, two pairs. Wool is definitely more durable, and if my feet should get wet, they will not lose heat as quickly.
(3) Cotton/Synthetic socks, two pair. In warmer weather, wool socks will be too warm and uncomfortable, so thinner socks will be useful.
(4) Two layers of thermal undergarments: Long-sleeved shirts and pants. This is for temperature regulation in a temperate climate; having two layers provides several degrees of insulation, while remaining lightweight and flexible.
(5) Two T-shirts, medium-thickness windbreaker jacket/hockey jacket, water-resistant is best. The windbreaker is protection from the elements, wind, rain and the like.
(6) One pair of thick wool pants, one pair of loose jeans. Both allow mobility and adequate protection from the elements.
(7) A light hat to block the sun; balaclava for winter warmth as well as protection from errant zombie fluids if I find myself a little closer than desired.
(8) Polarized sunglasses. Eye protection summer and winter; polarized is useful for fishing, as it allows you to cut through the glare on the water and see much more detail beneath the surface, which may aid in gathering success.
(9) Those gloves that have the mitten part attached that would allow me to flip between warmth and the ability to pull triggers.
II.Armament
(1) .22 Caliber rifle with scope, preferably semi-auto. 500 rounds in 5 boxes. It's light and quiet, and more often than not will have enough penetration power to take down a zombie with a single well-placed head shot. With the scope and a little practice, a .22 can easily be accurate, and lethal, to 30-40 yards, both to zombies and small game. Also, the ammunition is inexpensive, comes in huge quantities (boxes of 100 rounds run for about $10 I believe) at low weight, and .22 rounds can also fit...
(2) One .22 Caliber handgun. These guns are small, light, and easy to use, in case I find myself too close for comfort. They share ammo with the rifle, so I wouldn't need to carry several different types of ammunition. The downside of the .22 handgun is that it fires a small round, which may lack needed stopping power. The .22 is probably best saved for use against non-zombie human targets, and very close range small game hunting (believe me, the grey squirrels in my neighborhood do not need a rifle to be able to get in range)
(3) One 9mm handgun, Glock 17 would be a solid choice. 100 rounds. The 9mm provides greater stopping power and range in close-combat situations, and has more than enough penetration power to punch a good hole in a zombie skull.
(4) Small hatchet. This is not really armament as much as it is a survival tool, but it is flexible enough to do both.
III.Survival and Supplies
(1) Fully-stocked first aid kit.
(2) Two metal water bottles.
(3) Full spool of twine.
(4) Two full boxes of waterproof, strike-anywhere matches.
(5) Collapsible fishing rod and reel, small fully-stocked tackle box, full spool of fishing line.
(6) Skinning knife, filet knife, swiss army knife.
(7) Small tool set: three wrenches, two screwdrivers, pair of pliers, hammer. Box of nails.
(8) Gun cleaning kit.
(9) Small pot for cooking, boiling water; one wooden spoon, one spatula, set of eating utensils.
(10) Large box of sandwich-sized ziploc bags with full zipper.
(11) Comprehensive survival guide.
(12) Book on wide variety of knots.
(13) Sewing kit to make repairs on clothes.
(14) Small Tarp that can be used for improvised shelter.
(15) Two bars of soap.
(16) Fresh toothbrush and two tubes of toothpaste.
(17) Hand-crank flashlight and radio
IV. Food
(1) Eight cans of spam (proudly made in my home state!).
(2) Six cans of baked beans.
(3) Half-pound of salt. Can be used for curing meat.
(4) Two boxes of protein bars. They're nasty, I know, but even half a bar can provide enough energy for whatever burst I need to make.
(5) One bottle of multivitamin tablets.
The rifle can be slung across my back, the two handguns in hip holsters, the hatchet hung from my belt. All other supplies will be put into a large cargo backpack, think military-style. The one exception is the pot, which can be tied to one of the straps on the backpack to hang on the outside, saving space.
My primary goal would be to get away from major population centers, and head towards farmland, where I could find isolated farmhouses that might have supplies, particularly food from gardens, orchards and even the fields themselves. I would fortify the house some, just so a random zombie doesn't wander in while I'm on the pot or sleeping, but I would not attempt to make a true fort out of it. Instead, I would stay as long as the area remained zombie free, moving on when I begin to encounter zombies more than a few times a day. Moving from house to house until I can find a human stronghold or a truly isolated location where I can wait out the several years it would take for the zombies to starve and rot.
)to cover my eyes.
