Zombie Apocalypse

You ever notice how most survival websites are so serious and everything is ‘end of the world‘ with them? Well that isn’t very fun to read now is it? While I do agree that it is a very serious topic and you must prepare for it, I feel you do not need to bore your audience to death with nothing but details.

One topic that is taboo with “serious” survival sites is the zombie apocalypse. Because of novels, movies and video games, the topic has become more fictional fantasy than reality and so it is banned in the “serious” survival arena. This is why I decided to make this my very first post on my blog. So lets explore some zombie history, fantasy & lore and then dig into the more realistic outcome of the real zombie apocalypse.

History
Lets start with some history. Zombies started with voodoo beliefs originating all the way back before slavery and Haitian voodoo in Africa. Voodoo priests and/or witches were able to put unwilling victims under their spell (through herbal medicine) to the point of the victims breathing and heartbeat being slowed down to almost nothing, resembling death. After burial, the voodoo priest or witch would dig the body up and revive the victim and maintain control over them using other natural herbal sedatives. This would make the person almost zombie like and able to be controlled.

Moves & Folklore
In the movies, zombies have become a wide-spread addiction. You have zombies that rise from the grave to people turning into zombies from some sort of plague. In all cases, they are hungry for human blood and flesh (or brains). You have traditional zombies that are slow moving and can be missing limbs or even half a torso and still come after you. These zombies most of the time are unintelligent and cannot even comprehend simple things like using door handles. On the flip side you have zombies that move fast and can run after you and use problem solving skills. With both types of zombies, only a head shot that destroys the brain will kill them.

In Reality
Now lets discuss how it will really go down. Zombies will most likely come about from human viral experimentation. One virus that takes on zombie like symptoms in animals is rabies. It causes swelling in the brain and brings fits of uncontrollable rage and madness. I read an article that stated North Korea scientists were trying to create a super rabies virus that would spread faster and create even greater fits of rage and madness, in humans, not animals.

I few years ago I worked as a contractor at Holloman Air Force Base (aka White Sands Missile Range) in Alamogordo, NM. Towards the back exit of the base, they have a primate facility and according to a few buddies that were Air Force SP’s (Security Police), they had special orders in case the primates ever got loose.

Their orders on how to treat the primates if they escape were based on the colors of their collars.

• Blue Collar – Apprehend and return to primate facility.
• Yellow Collar - Shoot on site and cover the corpse with blanket or tarp.
• Red Collar – Shoot on site and do not touch corpse. Call fire team to incinerate the remains.

I was told that they are working on virii that other countries were working on so the government can develop anti-bodies and vaccines for the troops and the American population if said virii were ever released inside our borders or abroad.

With that scenario in mind, the movie ’28 Days Later‘ seems to be the most realistic outcome of how it will really happen. I believe that it will be a virus that is released and causes the brain to swell that creates psychotic tendencies just like super rabies. The victims will not contain super-natural abilities so they will not be able to live beyond what is humanly possible.

The laws of human anatomy state that:

1. If you take out any major organ (not just the brain), they will die.
2. If you cut off one of their limbs or part of their torso, they will bleed to death.
3. If they do not drink, they will dehydrate and die.
4. If they do not eat, they will die of starvation.
5. They will have the speed and agility of a normal human if their physical body allows it.
6. They will slow down and become incoherent as they dehydrate or starve from lack of food.
7. They will not crave human blood or flesh, they will kill out of uncontrollable psychotic rage caused by the virus.
8. Saliva and blood will carry the virus so any fluid exchange or bites from infected will transfer the virus to the victim and they too will become infected.

If the virus is based on rabies or is like rabies, the brain will swell and become feverish. This will cause the victim to lose almost all memory and abilities to use complex machinery like a vehicle. They may or may not be able to recall from memory how to use door handles, but basics like climbing will still be available to them. Abilities to use blunt weapons might remain but using guns, swords or other more advanced tactical weapons will not be available to them.

What to Do
Zombies should have a life span of about 14 to 30 days without food or water. If you can hold up for that long in a bug-out location or a fortified safe area (attic, basement, storm shelter, etc.) then that would be your best bet for zombie survival, assuming you are well stocked on water and food yourself.

If the apocalypse happened to find you suddenly unprepared or you are required to travel for various reasons, do so only during the day so you can see what awaits you down the road. Remember the line of site rule, if you can see them, they can see you. So make yourself as camouflaged and stealthy as possible. Night travel should be avoided at all times unless you have a well equipped vehicle. Most highways will be jammed packed with abandoned vehicles from people trying to leave the cities and should be avoided. (example: This picture is of Houston during Hurricane Ike, imagine that traffic during the zombie apocalypse!) If you find yourself needing to go onto the highway, do so with a motorcycle or bike so you can use the shoulders and weave in and between vehicles.

Safety Tip #1 : During the initial outbreak, try to avoid rushing to sporting goods or gun stores. Everyone else that was caught off guard will have the same idea and with the threat of zombies eating them and their families, there will be a panicked riot at those locations and store owners will most likely shoot you or price gouge you. It is better to plan ahead and stock up on guns, ammo and food and water before the event ever happens.

Safety Tip #2 : Movies are fantasy… try not to imitate them. In real life, if you hit a living being with an battle axe, machete or sword, you will be covered in blood, which will highly increase your chances of being infected with the virus. The human heart and its byways (veins) are under a tremendous amount of pressure. If you cut into a major artery (which you will if you try and take a zombies head!), the arterial spray can reach between 10 and 20 feet depending on how hard their heart is pumping and assuming the zombie will be chasing you, his heart will be beating fast and strong. Stick with guns and booby traps!

Share the Wealth!

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