Which zombie apocalypse survival plan sounds best?

[LostInAnomie]

My friend and I are having a debate about who has the better survival plan.

His: To arm himself with two semi-automatic pistols, a high caliber rifle, a machete, and as much ammunition and survival supplies as he can carry. He will then proceed on foot or on bike northward scavenging whatever he may need along the way. When he reaches a cold climate he will set up camp and wait the apocalypse out.

My plan:
Arm myself with two semi-automatic pistols, a high caliber rifle, a military grade tomahawk, and as much ammunition and survival supplies as I can carry. I will proceed to a mountainous area with a low population density. I will set up camp in an area that would require limited scaling and is within a few days walk to a small town (for EMERGENCY supplies). I will survive mostly from what I can scavenge from the land and from limited trips to nearby residences or stores.

[armyowalgreens]

1. AR-15 w/1000+ rounds, 9 mm glock w/ 200 rounds, tactical knife,

Machete
Fishing hooks and line
compact 0-32 (depending on anticipated climate) degree sleeping bag
compact water filtration pump
Magnesium/flint fire starter
electrolyte pills
Energy bars
Extensive first aid kit

Head towards the nearest known military base.

[LostInAnomie]

2. I've always thought a machete would be an over-rated weapon against a zombie.

It would be incredibly hard to cut through a zombies neck decapitate it (even then they'd still be able to bite you). Machetes aren't puncturing weapons either, so it would be hard to damage their brains.

[armyowalgreens]

3. I wouldn't use it as a weapon. It would be used for other things...

like cutting up meat, hacking through forest, etc.

Machetes are extremely useful tools.

[krispos42]

22. Ruger 10/22 and a Browning Buck Mark

Both in .22 LR. You can carry 5 times the ammo for the same weight and have 100% ammo interchangeability between the two guns.

You need head shots to kill a zombie. A .22 from a rifle will penetrage a skull at 100 yards and bounce around inside like a ping-pong ball. And 100 yards is probably the outer limit of accuracy for making a solid head shot.

And bring something you can use for a hammock... you might have to spend a lot of time in a tree hiding from a zombie horde.

[proteus_lives]

26. Nix on military bases, hospitals, police stations and cities.

Refugees will swarm there. It's like ringing the dinner bell for zombies. You're better off in a small group or on your own.

[rug]

4. Neither one of you have a lobo.

[charlie and algernon]

5. hasn't your friend read World War Z?

doesn't he know that millions will die or turn to cannibalism up north?

My plan is to make it into the mountains of the VA-WV-MD-PA area. rough terrain and limited number of people. All good.

[LostInAnomie]

6. Yeah, he's read it...

... but he still says he would stick to his stupid plan. I told him that if the zombies didn't get him, either exposure, lack of supplies, raiders, etc., would.

I think staying on the move is a stupid idea just from a supply point of view.

[Capn Sunshine]

7. forgive my zombie ignorance

-do zombies not like cold? Is that the idea of heading north?

Tomahawks are a great idea, but dragging them around is kind of a nuisance:

[LostInAnomie]

11. Yeah, zombies don't produce any body heat...

... so if you get to an environment that would take their body temp down to 32 degrees they would freeze in their tracks. The problem is that if you stay in that environment for long you are putting yourself at risk, and when the temps raise the zombies thaw out and are on the move again.

[ZombieHorde]

8. Both of those plans are a bit weak, here are 5 options you may wish to consider.

Option I
Take off your clothes, get a hammer, cannibalize your neighbors, die happy.

Option II
Become a preacher, recruit a congregation, get a hammer, cannibalize your congregation little by little, see how long you can keep this up.

Option III
Get a shotgun, get some shotgun owning friends, sleep in shifts, cannibalize your new friends, run away.

Option IV
Get or make a portable baby launcher, get some babies, launch babies into crowds of zombies, laugh, run away.

Option V
Get some flammable liquids, set every food store on fire, kill and eat all gardeners and farmers you come across, watch society turn towards cannibalism, pat yourself on the back.

[Soylent Brice]

28. i love you.

i'm asking my wife if you can marry us.

[ZombieHorde]

30. My own wife may not be happy about that...

...and I am very luck to be with someone
as beautiful as her.

[Soylent Brice]

31. that's HAWT!!!

[triguy46]

9. The Handbook recommends a crowbar as the most useful weapon...

for close combat. Also, since zombies have limited climbing skills, think 'up.'

[LostInAnomie]

10. That was the point of the mountain camp.

The zombies wouldn't be able to climb up to get to me. I'm sure a crowbar would be effective, I just don't think it would be as easily handled as a tomahawk, It would be very durable though.

[asdjrocky]

12. Other-

Urban survival. I'd find an easily defendable rooftop. There I'd lay low, and wait it out.

I already have the supplies stocked on the roof of a nearby building. I was a boy scout.

[LostInAnomie]

13. How are you going to defend against fellow urban dwellers and warlords that will spring up?

Nevermind that you are going to be at ground zero for zombie swarms?

[asdjrocky]

15. I have my spot all picked out and ready to go.

I'll be there first. Once I'm there, I can defend it.

[LostInAnomie]

14. Dupe

[quakerboy]

16. I think it depends on a lot of things. What kind of zombies?

Are we talking virus zombies, or supernatural zombies? Assuming Virus zombies, are we looking at an easily transmissible virus, or a more moderate strain? Assuming an easily transmissible virus, are we talking direct human contact only, or can it use other vectors. Eg, mosquito's, rats, etc?

And after all that, what are the results of zombification. Are we talking normal human smart, just with a taste for flesh, or are we talking wolf pack smart, or dead brain tissue dumb? Are they supernaturally strong and durable, or are they just undead flesh, rotting along the way and loosing ability as they go?


I think either of your plans have some potential holes in it. Some zombies can be outrun, some can be hidden from, others can be out waited, or killed. And some are just gonna get you no matter what clever plan you come up with.

[LostInAnomie]

18. World War Z/Romero-esque zombies

Any of the other types you wouldn't have a chance.

[EastTennesseeDem]

17. We take Pete's car.

We drive over to mum's, we go in, take care of Phillip. Then we grab mum, we go over to Liz's place, hole up, have a cup of tea and wait for all this to blow over.

[AllenVanAllen]

19. That sounds like a slice of fried gold.

[armyowalgreens]

24. lul. I love Shaun of the Dead.

[proteus_lives]

27. "We're coming to get you Barbara!"

;-)

[bridgit]

20. ShaunHoney!?!?! In-coming!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11HVSk1hmf4&feature=PlayList&p=27E1DE8CE328658A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32

[Joe the Liberal]

21. Your plan sounds best.....

here's what I would do though.....

Gather supplies, as much as I can carry or fit in a car, everything from guns and ammo to survival supplies, food, tools, maps, medical kits ect. I would also make sure to find some loyal dogs to bring with me, they would not only keep me company but act as guard dogs when I'm asleep. Then get as far away from the city and residential areas as possible and head to a remote, rural, isolated area, like your idea of going to the mountains. I would probably head there as well because I live in Colorado and the mountains aren't that far away. Zombies can't climb too well so that would give me the advantage.

Once at the mountains I would construct some kind of shelter, it would have to be strong and durable so just in case any zombies somehow managed to find their way to it they would not be able to get in. It would also have multiple escape routes and small openings so I can look outside and if needed, shoot outward at any unwanted visitors. If my supplies start to run dry I would scavenge what I can from the land and like you I would make sure it's near a small town so I can go there if necessary to replenish supplies.

Then I would basically just wait it out, although wait it out for how long? The zombies ain't going away, what's their lifespan? waiting it out seems like a temporary solution to a long term problem. I think eventually I would have to head out and try to find survivors, there is strength in numbers after all. Kind of like in that movie "I am Legend", we would have to set up an enclosed community of some kind.

[chknltl]

23. Neither! Might I suggest instead that you two team up...

...cautiously sneak off to a library, check out a book on deep see fishing. Next you might want to strike off to the coast where one might, with a bit of luck, locate a charterable style fishing boat. Odds are it could be equipped locally with all the gear you two could possibly need!

As everyone knows, zombies are not interested in deep sea fishing, so there is a good chance you will find a local untainted skipper willing to take you on board his boat. He could be valuable because he likely knows where the fish will be. (You might want to not let him know about those zombies, no sense in getting him all distracted from finding those fish now is there?)

Lastly you and your bud can spend the day together doing something far far more entertaining than debating survival strategies in a world infested with zombies. Who knows, if the world ever really did get infested with zombies, you will know right were to go to best survive and what to do to easily stay fed! You might even bump into me out there on the high seas...I'll be the one in a sailboat. Well that's my suggestion.

Here is my fave Zombie music video over on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh5f-eV6X-k

[NewJeffCT]

34. dude - zombies can go into the water, too - see below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSPG9QQg4C0

[proteus_lives]

25. Your plan.

The key is to gather supplies and avoid population centers AT ALL COST. Your camp idea is good. Be sure to set up warning systems near your camp. (Trip wires) And conceal your presence because marauding survivors can be a danger as well. Keep the camp mobile and bring along a radio. If the outbreak is contained, move towards a safe area.

Remember Brooks number one rule. No area is safe, only safer.

[NJmaverick]

29. Mine

One suit chainmail armor
One Samuri style sword
2 semi auto pistols
1 sniper rifle
as much ammo as possible
1 battle mace
Set up on farm property in the middle of no where, that has good fencing. Set up survalance cameras and the like. Get a large SUV with sun roof for scavanging trips.

Oh and get this guy as a roommate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9042011&mesg_id=9042011

[Nuclear Unicorn]

32. Silly OP

The mutant space fungus will get us long before the zombies do.

BTW - weren't zombies a metaphor for political movements that become malicious and destroy the society that they once belonged to?

Beck = zombie zero?

[AllenVanAllen]

39. Comparing Beck to a zombie

is a slight to zombies...

[datasuspect]

33. how are you going to deal with other survivors

where a dangerous security condition exists; i.e., possible complete breakdown of the social structure/breakdown of law and order?

i wouldn't worry as much about the zombies (except if were in a high density/high population city area), as much as the roving bands of people who have no interest in anything else except their own survival and self-preservation.

[quakerboy]

35. I dont worry about those bands

If they are interested in survival and self preservation, they will quickly recognize my inherent value both as an owner of useful skills and also as being a slow runner, and therefor a good distraction if they have to make a quick getaway.

Its the ones who are just living to rip what last shred of pleasure and power they can from things whom I would be concerned about.

[JTG of the PRB]

36. Just remember - if you manage to survive and make it to the cleanup stage, beware the Quislings!

Quislings are those who haven't been turned but, because of the mental pressures associated with the zombie apocalypse, have begun to act like zombies. They will shuffle and moan and attack other humans. A bite is not fatal (unless infection occurs), but those who are bitten by a Q will panic with the fear that they've been bitten by an actual zombie.

Of course, the zombies aren't dumb enough to fall for it. They'll go after the Quislings like they would any other human. If you manage to survive, be careful!

[LostInAnomie]

38. Meh... I'll shoot them in their traitorous heads.

Better safe than sorry.

[flvegan]

37. 2 AR-15s, 2 .45 Colts, all the ammo I can carry.

Steal liveaboard catamaran and a wave runner, stock with gas, food and supplies, sail to Necker Island. Shoot zombie Richard Branson if need be. Being vegan is going to go out the window in time, I fear.