How To Survive the Collapse of Civilization

Although not directed at a zombie apocalypse, this article has some general pointers for surviving the end of civilization, including:

      - Find food and water.

      - Find a group.

      - Select a leader.

      - Find or make shelter.

      - Figure out ways of heating or cooling.

      - Think about long term provision of food and water.

It also addresses some general ideas on self-defense:

      - Evaluate whether you are in danger.

      - Fortify your area, or look for areas with natural features offering protection.

      - Collect weapons.

      - Establish a command structure.

You Probably Won't Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

A rather negative review of the situation of surviving a zombie apocalypse:

Resources

A zombie apocalypse would essentially mean the end of the world. Given how unfit many people are, it’s likely that the zombie hordes would multiply fast, and by the time it’s beyond control, it’s a fight for resources among everyone.

Food expires, especially when power fails. Those who aren’t fast enough to raid stores will be left in the dust. Packaged food will be useless to most unless one is capable of making a fire on the fly, something that generally draws zombies. Planting seeds for fruits and vegetables is time-consuming, and it’s likely that one won’t be in one place long enough to harvest crops.

In the winter, forget it. In other words, have fun finding food.

People

So you’ve planned a complete zombie survival plan if the day should ever come, complete with escape route and weaponry? Good for you. Now where do other people factor into this?

If you’re so good at surviving, there will definitely be others who will as well. So how do these encounters factor? Just like any normal conversation, any encounter with a survivor can go in any direction. Are they trustworthy? Will they be there to steal your items? Should they join you, what then of that plan? It’s not likely they’ll follow your every move. No one ever said rebuilding society was an easy task. Taking the loner route is possible, but honestly, how long would that mentality last?

Fitness

The zombies of this article are of slow-moving abilities. Individually, they don’t prove much of a threat. As a group, especially if blindsided or cornered, there’s a problem. This has been touched upon in modern media, but it still remains a valid point. Among those who claim they could survive, how many actually do physical activity? Being thin means nothing if one doesn’t have the stamina to keep moving. After sleepless nights and constant relocating, fatigue kicks in for all but the most enduring.

Military

There will be no people attempting to save anyone in mass quantity, unless said people are idiots or philanthropists – or there may even be a run-in with the military. With most of the members being in a state of fear and ignorant of the origin of the zombie outbreak, you’re screwed either way. Should they not shoot on sight, chances are you’ll be taken into custody, where you’ll be tested upon and then forced to serve in a community.

When it comes down to it, should you establish a place to survive, a place to thrive, other people will want in. Lawlessness prevails, so be prepared to defend yourself, at least until the military rolls in. If you’re a survivor and you’re found, the military will want everything you have. But if you can fight back against men with combat gear and bulletproof armor, all the power to you.

Motor Trend Debates the Best Zombie Survival Vehicle

(Link here).

"Zombie Apocalypse" from Back Woods Magazine

This is an article briefly discussing the different ways TEOTWAWKI could come about. Strangely, notwithstanding the title, it doesn't actually discuss a zombie apocalypse. However, they do discuss other possible SHTF events such as: (1) super-volcanoes, (2) dawn of another ice age, (3) pandemic disease, (4) cosmic impacts, (5) carrington event, (6) gamma-ray burst, (7) runaway greenhouse effect, and (8) nuclear war. Anyway, read the whole thing.

"Bigfoot" Captured in Annual Hunt

The legendary "Bigfoot" was captured in an annual hunt near Elliston, Montana, this year.

Armed with flashlights, whistles and beer, 327 "hunters" trudged through snow for an hour and 20 minutes, the longest search in the history of the event, before someone finally blew their whistle announcing that Bigfoot had been found.

Cathleen Dobson, a member of the National Guard in nearby Helena, was this year's victor. She found Bigfoot — that is, John Peskey, a 6-foot-2 high school orchestra teacher dressed in a Bigfoot costume — nestled in a willow thicket at the back of the property.

Basically, it is a rather elaborate "hide and seek" with someone in a costume. Hopefully they used private land for the event. I don't know if skulking around in the woods in a hairy costume would be the best idea if it was on public land.

5-Steps to Saving Lives

An article from Backpacker Magazine on first-aid for hiking injuries:

When serious accidents happen hours or days from help, the steps you take directly impact his survival odds and path to recovery. Ideally, you will be able to diagnose and treat a range of injuries, as well as stabilize your patient until experts arrive. Guides and other pros master these skills in a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, but the intensive training takes up to 10 days and costs hundreds. What’s a time-strapped hiker to do? A good first step is to learn the five-tier WFR Patient Assessment System, which we’ve detailed here along with its nifty mnemonic memory devices.

Read the whole thing.

The Ruins of Los Angeles

(Link here).