With the rising popularity of survivalist shows and the
increased interest in sustainable, off-grid living, perhaps it is more
important than ever to pose the question: could I survive an apocalyptic event?
More and more people are talking about- and preparing for- dangerous times
ahead. The reasons for these concerns may be valid and may take many forms;
there is a lot of dangerous stuff lurking in our world, and sometimes the
powerful people that control some of that dangerous stuff do not have our best
interests in mind. The reality is that humans run governments. Governments that
have large armies, chemical and nuclear weapons stockpiles, and the potential
to wreak havoc nearly instantaneously.
Concurrent with this, we have seen the steady encroachment
of zombie fiction on a host of unlikely areas. Academia has studied the zombie
apocalypse from allegorical standpoints, from epidemiological standpoints, and
through various other lenses. Even the U.S. government’s Center for Disease
Control (CDC) has a section on their website for the zombie apocalypse. While
it may be more farfetched and amusing to think of an apocalyptic event in such
a context, the reality is that having a plan for an unlikely event can help you
be prepared if such an event were to ever occur. This post is intended to help readers
think about HOW they could survive an apocalyptic event, as to opposed to IF.
The first big step to preparing for the zombie apocalypse
(or any apocalyptic event) would be to create a “bug-out,” bag. The term “bug out,”
stems from the military’s need to sometimes be prepared for quick individual action
in response to exigent threats or operational demands. It is likely most of us
would have little-to-no lead time going in to such an event. When it happens,
it happens, and after the fact is too late to begin effectively start thinking
about how you will protect your loved ones or yourself from the malicious
hordes.
A good bug-out bag will contain the following:
Extra food and water
A first-aid kit
Extra clothes and rain gear
Extra socks and rugged footwear*
A sleeping bag
A pocketknife or multitool
A flashlight with extra batteries
Waterproof matches and a lighter or flint
Medications (generic and prescription)
Rope
Compass and local maps
Sunglasses
Cash (this may be less important)
Basic hygiene items
It’s important that all of these elements, at the least, be
included in the bug-out bag, because they all play an important role in extreme
survival scenarios. In addition to obtaining these items in advance, it is
important to have them stored in a compact, easily accessible, and lightweight
container that can be easily transported with you through various terrains and
climates. Keep in mind that you may need to wear this pack while walking
several miles each day through wooded areas and/or up hills, et cetera.
Moving on, there are other things you will need and areas of
emphasis that require some thought and prior planning. Besides a bug-out bag,
you and your family need to have a well-communicated emergency plan. Take into
account the reality that in an apocalyptic scenario, the roads would likely be
unusable. The roads would be zombie buffets. If you don’t want to be a zombie,
you’d probably want to avoid these congested areas. Have pre-determined meeting
points that all of the relevant family members know fairly well. Try to ensure
that these safe zones or rendezvous points are as far from population centers
as is feasible and are accessible by all of the relevant parties.
Developing that idea a bit further, it is important to establish
multiple safe routes to the meeting points. When chaos reigns, it is imperative
to be flexible and fluid, ready to adapt to unconventional and unexpected extremes.
You need to have a meeting point that can be reached from multiple points so
that if one becomes dangerous or untenable, an alternative can be easily and
quickly utilized.
The next thing to think about is what some have called the
rule of 3’s.
The Rule of 3’s:
Humans can survive:
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter (in extreme environments)
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
This is just a general guideline for the extreme limits of
human’s physiological endurance. People differ in their individual needs and expectations,
and it is important to factor such into any prepper planning.
In terms of shelter, there are a number of good resources
online for how to develop debris huts. It may be important to not only have
plans for building a shelter (we’ll post here about that later) but also concealing
it to some degree. The best point to consider is that the shelter is far from
densely populated urban areas, is close enough to necessary resources, and is
defensible from predators or other external threats.
In terms of water, it is widely recommended that humans
possess a gallon of water per person per day under these circumstances. If you
have immediate access to a tap following the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse,
it is advised that you fill whatever containers you have available. The
drinking water provided by municipalities will soon become unavailable as
systems collapse, so you might want to consider getting what you can while you
can. Otherwise, fresh flowing water such as that found in streams is best.
Though that should be boiled at least 2-3 minutes to ensure it will not harm
you upon consumption.
Water-borne illnesses have been common throughout history,
and when the world collapses, that likely will be the case again. Just drinking
water, even water that appears clean and is from a seemingly protected,
pristine source in a park, for instance, is never advised. You may remember the
cheesy Oregon Trail game, with all of the deaths from dysentery, if you’re of a
certain age (I just aged myself). It may be worth reiterating the point that if
you do not have some sort of purification tablets, you need to boil any water
you drink before you drink it. There are cases where you can also purify water
by placing it in a clear bag and allowing UV rays to do their work, but that is
far from guaranteed. There are also lightweight straws* that can filter water
for you in real time. So, if you have the guts to bend down over a murky puddle
with insects floating on top, those straws can be a great resource for
obtaining water when you are far from a stream and need to hydrate quickly.
In terms of food, insects and acorns may be the best
immediate bet for most people. They provide abundant protein and other
nutrients and one does not need to expend excessive calories in pursuit of
them. Virtually every inhabited climate in the world has bugs. Berries and
other plant-based foods can be a good resource as well, though it can be
difficult at times to differentiate between edible berries, etc. and poisonous
ones.
Because zombie viruses could spread quickly and in unknown
ways, it is not advised to eat the meat of any dead animals encountered. It
really isn’t advisable under any circumstances, in my opinion, but I have known
people who have eaten fresh road kill. The adrenaline that flows through
animals as they die often makes most of the meat unpalatable at the least.
Nonetheless, just avoid dead animals. That may seem like common knowledge, but
it could be incredibly more difficult to resist the urge when you’ve been
walking for five hours after not eating for two days.
This next part may seem a bit insensitive to some. FAIR
WARNING. Please do not read the following paragraph if you object to eating
meat or harming animals under any circumstances.
Deer can usually be found in abundance in many rural areas
of the United States. In most areas where deer can be found, the deer have
become fairly used to and conditioned to the presence of humans. Especially in
the early stages post-apocalypse, it should be easy to kill one. If you do not
have weapons, deer are one of the few animals you could probably just walk up
to and hit over the head. Deer have ample meat, and their hides could be used
for clothing, shelter, etc. During a post-apocalyptic scenario especially, it
is important that every usable portion of the corpse be harvested. As a person
who has hunted, I feel it is important to note that taking a life, even if it
is an animal’s, is no small thing, and it should never be done recklessly or
without respect for the animal who sacrificed its life so you could continue
your own. If you do hunt (and you probably should under these conditions), use everything
you can.
In terms of weapons, the first and best rule would be to avoid
confrontation whenever possible. Zombies or soldiers, it may not matter. With
soldiers, the death may just take longer and be more painful. So, the first and
best rule would probably be to avoid conflict. Knives do not need to be
reloaded. They are quiet when they do their jobs. They are lightweight and have
other practical applications. So, this guide advises using knives first. Rifles
would be the best firearm in my opinion, simply because they could also double
as a blunt-force weapon as well.
Other than all of that, staying fit is always advisable, and
would certainly come in handy during the zombie apocalypse.
If you are prepared beforehand and can get to safety
quickly, the biggest threat to safety would be one’s ability to remain patient
and calm in the face of adversity. Resist the temptation to go back to urban
areas. Just wait, and then wait some more. Catch up on that sleep you were
complaining that you needed for so long. Be happy you don’t have to get up in
the morning to go to a job you hate.
It may take years, even decades, but if you and your family
survived, societies can and will eventually form.
Exist and thrive, grays.
We will
meet again soon.
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and follow this blog to be part of the community. We’re ready to hear your
thoughts, so post them and any questions you have in the comments.
If you enjoy thinking about apocalyptic scenarios, you will
enjoy Unit 9.
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