Zombie Apocalypse

[PerpetualImperfexion]

This is a slightly abstract topic but because of the fact its debatable I see this as an appropriate place to post this.

So lets say its a typical school day. You wake up get dressed and go down stairs to get something for breakfast. As you are pulling out a cereal bowl you notice your mother "walking" (for lack of a better word) toward you while moaning. You realize she is a zombie and wants to in fact eat you for your breakfast. *FREEZE FRAME*

Additional Specifications Suggested by Sage


-Are the zombies slow or fast?
fast (updated)
-How is the contagion spread? Is it airborne, water/food-based, or only transmitted from direct contact with zombies?
In this scenario lets just say the virus is spread like an STD(bodily fluids)
-How old are you? Not all teenagers will have the skills needed to do things like driving or handling live weapons.
please include this in your answer
-What region are you looking to survive in?
what region do you live in?
-Are humans the only ones affected by a zombie outbreak?
yes, fuck Resident Evil
-How long has it been since the initial outbreak?

-Can zombies die if they don't feed on others, or do they continue hobbling along until they're killed?
The craving for flesh is a survival technique used by the virus to spread
-How can zombies be killed? Will a shot anywhere do, or do they have to lose their heads?
The brain must be destroyed or the spinal cord severed
-Is re-establishing society something important to you, or do you just want to survive?
Reestablishing society would be hard if the zombies don't die by themselves but if you have a plan please share. Otherwise assume your goal is to survive


Additional Specifications Suggested by Sage


As for developing a vaccine, not possible. In this scenario when you are bit you die. Your brain is then reanimated by a virus that wants nothing more than to wipe out the human race. Even if the virus is eliminated you are still dead. There is no cure for death.


In this theoretical scenario of a zombie apocalypse (98% of the population is a zombie) What would you do? Would you pick up a friend who has a lot of fucking guns, go to the nearest military base, go insane and commit suicide, etc.

[Magus]

Would you pick up a friend who has a lot of fucking guns, go to the nearest military base, go insane and commit suicide, etc.Inject myself with the Sigma-NX virus, and become a super soldier, and Kill all the zombies.

[RoseyCadaver]

Well at first I would bash her damned brains in.Sorry mom,you or me.THEN I would go find all the bad ass women from the zombie games,like Jill Valentine or Clare Redfeild.


I would then,inject the T-Virus in meh,then become some Tyrant or Nemesis or some other Resident Evil boss.I would then reproduce with the women,making half human zombies,to talk to the zombies and calm them down.If that doesn't work,fuck it.I'm part zombie,I'll just go run of with the living women.I may be a little necrophiliac,but I like my flesh alive.

[trooneh]

Inject myself with the Sigma-NX virus, and become a super soldier, and Kill all the zombies.


I'd do the same thing, most likely.

[Sage]

If 98% of the world population were to become zombies, I really doubt it'd be as sudden as your scenario seems to imply. People would know it's happening as it's happening, regardless of however futile it might be to stop. However, we'll just roll with your scenario and not take that into consideration for now. I can't take a lot of people seriously in their zombie apocalypse plans because more often than not they really fail to take into consideration some important realities.

For one, most teenagers haven't fired guns before, and even if they have, it's most likely only been for hunting or target practice. In the case of a zombie apocalypse (especially if the zombies are runners), they'd need a thorough enough understanding of firearms to use them to maximum efficiency, and the personality trait of remaining calm under severe pressure. Zombies may seem like harmless moving targets with a gun in hand, but it's very easy to get cocky and stay in one place longer than you should. Eventually, if your gun doesn't jam, you'll find yourself low on bullets. You can't shoot them all, and engaging in melee combat is also risky.

Many humans also simply don't have it in them to kill other human beings. Most people will only ever be pushed to do that in a fit of passion (be it rage, jealousy, etc) or in a circumstantial accident. As much as killing may be a necessity in a zombie apocalypse (We can debate whether or not destroying the undead is 'killing', but for the sake of argument, bear with me here) a lot of people will be too hesitant to put a bullet into their formerly living peers. Especially in the case of family and loved ones. If my parents became zombies, I don't think even I would have it in me to kill them. I'd just have to get away.

Combat aside, survival is another difficult aspect for a lot of people to fully consider. While military installations may seem like safe havens, they will only have electricity and power for so long. With 98% of the population gone (And I'm going to assume the undead to living ration is about equal world-wide) there won't be enough people to sustain basic infrastructure. Shopping malls and department stores will become health hazards to even approach within just a few days or weeks of the zombie outbreak- As power systems fail and no one remains to restock shelves, literal tons of food are going to rot and become untouchable.

Because of the eventual failure of our technological infrastructure, one would have to get accustomed to a more primitive lifestyle. Stand-alone machines would still be usable: Any car could still be driven if one can get their hands on a reliable battery and steal oil from an unmanned gas station, and portable devices like computers and ipods could also still function if one could generate the electricity to charge them. For the most part, however, anything requiring extensive power like lighting systems in buildings or a phone/satellite network would cease to exist. In addition, water and sewage systems would also go unmonitored or undermanned and unstable buildings would not be repaired or torn down on their own. Within just a few weeks to months of outbreak, large urban centers become enough of a hazard on their own, not even counting the ever-present zombies.

If one doesn't want to be eaten by zombies, it is imperative to their survival that they stay on the move. It may be possible for a short time to take advantage of existing infrastructures before they fall apart- Hopping freight trains, for instance, is a very good way to cover a great distance on absolutely no budget. Despite encountering few other survivors, it isn't difficult to exhaust the resources of an area- By this I'm primarily referring to non-perishable foods (you can only carry so much, and as I said, stores are breeding grounds for mold and decay) and munitions.

If we want to elaborate any further on this, however, we need to establish a few details on the scenario that could vastly change things. Any of these would be suitable for a debate or discussion, and I suggest everyone takes these into consideration before espousing their apocalyptic survival plans:

-Are the zombies slow or fast?
-How is the contagion spread? Is it airborne, water/food-based, or only transmitted from direct contact with zombies?
-How old are you? Not all teenagers will have the skills needed to do things like driving or handling live weapons.
-What region are you looking to survive in?
-Are humans the only ones affected by a zombie outbreak?
-How long has it been since the initial outbreak?
-Can zombies die if they don't feed on others, or do they continue hobbling along until they're killed?
-How can zombies be killed? Will a shot anywhere do, or do they have to lose their heads?
-Is re-establishing society something important to you, or do you just want to survive?

This could easily be a dignified debate, guys.

[RoseyCadaver]

Ok,if we are going to be serious,then I guess I'll bite :P.Zombies are one of my favorite discusions :P,but I have a question.Like most dieases,wouldn't some of the population be immune to the infection? Wouldn't they be able to extract the people's blood and possibly make a vaccine or cure for the virus?If so could they maybe give it out before a complete virus break out?



(We can debate whether or not destroying the undead is 'killing', but for the sake of argument, bear with me here)
.
Well they would be alive,but they would have lost all their traits that making them "human"?That is what a zombie virus does ,right?Re animate the body to an extent,leaving only the primitive functions alive,the need to feed.I think when we're driven to survival ,we won't have a problem killing them.Our survival modes can make seem quite different then our normal-selves.


I don't think the virus would spread as fast like Sage said in one night ,waking up to the 99% people being zombies.

I do think only the smart in survival will still be alive.Plus,you have to keep in mind,someone who lived in the country or not so populated area would have a better chance(saying the infection started in a city) in surviving at first,then someone who lives in New York or a heavy populated area.

[Sage]

Like most dieases,wouldn't some of the population be immune to the infection? Wouldn't they be able to extract the people's blood and possibly make a vaccine or cure for the virus?If so could they maybe give it out before a complete virus break out?
A vaccine to build immunity could be possible, but for the most part, a cure is out of the question. Typically speaking, zombies are portrayed as reanimated corpses- their organs have rotted away, it is only be some other biological means that they're still alive. If the disease is keeping them alive and has long since destroyed the other systems of their body, they can't be cured. Depending on how the virus is spread, as well, a vaccine may not be distributed quickly enough, especially if humans are not the only ones affected.

Well they would be alive,but they would have lost all their traits that making them "human"?That is what a zombie virus does ,right?Re animate the body to an extent,leaving only the primitive functions alive,the need to feed.I think when we're driven to survival ,we won't have a problem killing them.Our survival modes can make seem quite different then our normal-selves.
People are very accustomed to the luxuries of first world societal living. Many people don't have much of a survival mode. Human beings, without their society, are quite vulnerable. In order to survive, one would have to put up with and go through things that I don't feel everyone can handle.

I do think only the smart in survival will still be alive.Plus,you have to keep in mind,someone who lived in the country or not so populated area would have a better chance(saying the infection started in a city) in surviving at first,then someone who lives in New York or a heavy populated area.
Again, this also goes back to how the virus is spread. The wilderness isn't necessarily safer than a city if animals are also affected by the outbreak.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Thank-you Sage for your suggestions. I have included them in the opening post. I realize the idea of the disease spreading so fast is unrealistic. What do you think is a realistic time frame for 98% of the population to become zombies. Better yet what percent of the population could be zombified over night. Also at what point is the virus uncontrollable by the military would you say.

As for developing a vaccine, not possible. In this scenario when you are bit you die. Your brain is then reanimated by a virus that wants nothing more than to wipe out the human race. Even if the virus is eliminated you are still dead. There is no cure for death.

[Sage]

Thank-you Sage for your suggestions. I have included them in the opening post. I realize the idea of the disease spreading so fast is unrealistic. What do you think is a realistic time frame for 98% of the population to become zombies. Better yet what percent of the population could be zombified over night. Also at what point is the virus uncontrollable by the military would you say.

Too many variables to just make a guess out of left field, but worst case scenario (fast zombies, airborne or water-based virus, starting in major urban center) would probably be a few weeks or months before the majority of the world is zombified and the situation grows too large for the military to control. In addition, it would be even worse if zombification was not instantaneous. If someone were infected at an airport, for instance, they could travel to the other side of the world and begin the spread of outbreak there. If it's instant, however, international and intercontinental quarantines could be set up.

Edit: Since I just saw you edited the OP, I'll answer based on the details you specified.

I don't think the majority of the world could be zombified if we're dealing with slow zombies that die when left unfed and can only spread the virus through direct contact. Quarantines would be too easy to set up and the zombies in question would be too easy to kill. I'm afraid the idea of a solitary paradise where killing a world of zombies with ease is purely a fantasy and would require absolutely gargantuan and unfathomable incompetence on the part of the entire world to occur.

[Magus]

As for developing a vaccine, not possible. In this scenario when you are bit you die. Your brain is then reanimated by a virus that wants nothing more than to wipe out the human race. Even if the virus is eliminated you are still dead. There is no cure for death.You are wrong on two occasions, as they have disregarded two accounts.

Virus takes time to incubate and to fully integrate itself in the brain and the body.Depending on the virus, there are viruses that will take time depending on the Hosts' immunity. Yes, we can easily make vaccine... maybe.

As for zombies. Theoretically they can't move. Without heart beat and blood flow, eventually no oxygen or nutrition, the body dies -- meaning, they can't move or perform anything, not even moaning, because moaning requires oxygen and a good functioning lung. The cells get oxidated, and dies completely.

Also, it is dependent on the virus. Is it via touch, air or water? That also plays an important role.

[Sage]

Virus takes time to incubate and to fully integrate itself in the brain and the body.Depending on the virus, there are viruses that will take time depending on the Hosts' immunity. Yes, we can easily make vaccine... maybe.

As for zombies. Theoretically they can't move. Without heart beat and blood flow, eventually no oxygen or nutrition, the body dies -- meaning, they can't move or perform anything, not even moaning, because moaning requires oxygen and a good function lung. The cells get oxidated, and dies completely.


We're discussing the zombie apocalypse on the assumption that they can move and that for whatever reason a vaccine is not feasible. It doesn't need to be justified, those are just hypothetical details that we're using as a base for further speculation. Assumptions, in layman's terms.

Besides- it's fully possible that zombies could have heart beats and blood flows, they would just be infected by the disease, which I assume to be parasitic in nature.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

People are very accustomed to the luxuries of first world societal living. Many people don't have much of a survival mode. Human beings, without their society, are quite vulnerable. In order to survive, one would have to put up with and go through things that I don't feel everyone can handle.


Let me use black rabbits as an analogy. If the climate makes a sudden change to being cold and snow covered some rabbits will turn white. In turn the white rabbits are less likely to be eaten therefore more likely to reproduce. The black rabbits on the other hand will be eaten and eventually die out. Those capable of surviving will do so. They'll survive, reproduce, and pass their knowledge onto their children. Those who don't know how to survive will eventually die out like the black rabbits.



I don't think the majority of the world could be zombified if we're dealing with slow zombies that die when left unfed and can only spread the virus through direct contact. Quarantines would be too easy to set up and the zombies in question would be too easy to kill. I'm afraid the idea of a solitary paradise where killing a world of zombies with ease is purely a fantasy and would require absolutely gargantuan and unfathomable incompetence on the part of the entire world to occur.

I apologize but I think you misunderstood. The zombies DON'T need to eat to survive. If I mistyped something I was saying that the craving for flesh is merely a way to spread the disease/virus.

[RoseyCadaver]

I do believe that other living organisms could and would be affected,but then again,I'm a fan of Resident Evil's theories on the viruses.I also think if we do some how mangae to maintain the virus,would the government or military manage to control the virus and make a super version of the virus to make more advanced zombies(Resident Evil reference again :P)?

I think the virus would be worse in some places,and not so much in others.Just depending on where it accutly started.


Wouldn't the virus reanimate the dead?We aren't saying it could bring them back to human level,but it wouldn't slowly kill them either.It reanimates them just back to the level of barely living.

Oh side note------>Has anyone watched the series,THe Walking Dead?It's a pretty good show :D!


As for developing a vaccine, not possible. In this scenario when you are bit you die. Your brain is then reanimated by a virus that wants nothing more than to wipe out the human race. Even if the virus is eliminated you are still dead. There is no cure for death.

Well no virus just spread instantly through your system and just kills you.Even if it did,you aren't dead.Just reanimated.

If a virus that reanimates cells,wouldn't it more then likley mutate over to some over form of living creatures?Bird Flu?Swine FLu?

[Sage]

Let me use black rabbits as an analogy. If the climate makes a sudden change to being cold and snow covered some rabbits will turn white. In turn the white rabbits are less likely to be eaten therefore more likely to reproduce. The black rabbits on the other hand will be eaten and eventually die out. Those capable of surviving will do so. They'll survive, reproduce, and pass their knowledge onto their children. Those who don't know how to survive will eventually die out like the black rabbits.
I've been lecturing debaters here on natural selection and survival of the fittest for years on this forum, OP. I know all that.

I apologize but I think you misunderstood. The zombies DON'T need to eat to survive. If I mistyped something I was saying that the craving for flesh is merely a way to spread the disease/virus.
Even then, they're still too easy to kill and the virus won't spread fast enough. The threat would be contained if we're going by your scenario.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Virus takes time to incubate and to fully integrate itself in the brain and the body.Depending on the virus, there are viruses that will take time depending on the Hosts' immunity.

Too many variables to just make a guess out of left field, but worst case scenario (fast zombies, airborne or water-based virus, starting in major urban center) would probably be a few weeks or months before the majority of the world is zombified and the situation grows too large for the military to control. In addition, it would be even worse if zombification was not instantaneous. If someone were infected at an airport, for instance, they could travel to the other side of the world and begin the spread of outbreak there. If it's instant, however, international and intercontinental quarantines could be set up.


I like the idea of it taking time for symptoms to become obvious.


Wouldn't the virus reanimate the dead?We aren't saying it could bring them back to human level,but it wouldn't slowly kill them either.It reanimates them just back to the level of barely living.


This virus would not reanimate the dead just because of the fact that the zombies prefer warm blooded... "meals". That's why the zombies don't eat each other


I've been lecturing debaters here on natural selection and survival of the fittest for years on this forum, OP. I know all that.


lol I just got into genetics, evolution, etc. Still a noob. Very interesting though.


Even then, they're still too easy to kill and the virus won't spread fast enough. The threat would be contained if we're going by your scenario.

would the fact that it takes time to "encubate" would it help?

[RoseyCadaver]

This virus would not reanimate the dead just because of the fact that the zombies prefer warm blooded... "meals". That's why the zombies don't eat each other

Why would they need to?The virus is trying to spread itself,not kill it's fellow host.I do believe if you're a zombie,you aren't completely dead.You may not be fully functioning,but you still have something reanimating you.If you didn't then how would the zombies be able to move?

[Sage]

would the fact that it takes time to "encubate" would it help?

No. For the majority of people to die, the zombies have to have two traits: They have to be hard to kill, and they would have to spread quickly. A single zombie can only bite on person at a time. For a disease to become an epidemic, it has to be transmitted on a scale that is too large and too fast to quarantine. It is for this reason that most zombie movies could never happen. Fast zombies might not be popular, but they're at least slightly plausible.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Why would they need to?The virus is trying to spread itself,not kill it's fellow host.I do believe if you're a zombie,you aren't completely dead.You may not be fully functioning,but you still have something reanimating you.If you didn't then how would the zombies be able to move?

I personally believe zombies have very low brain and organ function. Their stomach doesn't function. They're lungs have low function, auditory only(moaning).


No. For the majority of people to die, the zombies have to have two traits: They have to be hard to kill, and they would have to spread quickly. A single zombie can only bite on person at a time. For a disease to become an epidemic, it has to be transmitted on a scale that is too large and too fast to quarantine. It is for this reason that most zombie movies could never happen. Fast zombies might not be popular, but they're at least slightly plausible.

The scenario has changed. The zombies are fast. As much as I wanted to avoid making them fast its eminent that its just not possible.

[Magus]

We're discussing the zombie apocalypse on the assumption that they can move and that for whatever reason a vaccine is not feasible. It doesn't need to be justified, those are just hypothetical details that we're using as a base for further speculation. Assumptions, in layman's terms.

Besides- it's fully possible that zombies could have heart beats and blood flows, they would just be infected by the disease, which I assume to be parasitic in nature.If we are going to talk about Zombies with heart beats, blood flow and oxygen. Then we are talking about living humans, and not dead ones. Sentient humans rather than dead mindless zombies -- they could be driven by the virus, that can be possible. Like the toxoplasmosis, it infects the rats, and eliminate their fear from their natural predators, the cat(in which the virus breeds in the cat only). But in this case, the human need for other human flesh? Hard to imagine, but possible. Again, reminiscing 21 days later.

A dead human by metaphysical definition anything that does not show sentience. Biologically, if there is no inter-chemical reactions in the body.

Yes, once an infected is contained, an anti-virus can be obtained from it, provided the researchers are doing their job; reminiscing the film Outbreak.

[RoseyCadaver]

I personally believe zombies have very low brain and organ function. Their stomach doesn't function. They're lungs have low function, auditory only(moaning).

Then couldn't the virus adapt and easily spread via air born?I mean their is no need for it to go hunting for people(you did say it spread via bodily fluids ,and you would have to bite to spread your fluids)so it could easily go air born.Wouldn't easily survive if it ate to sustain life?There for ,needing stomachs and basic organ use.

But in this case, the human need for other human flesh? Hard to imagine, but possible. Again, reminiscing 21 days later.


Why would it be?If it has lost all fear to predators,and lost most it's rational thinking,couldn't it just eat the closet thing it could find?Argo humans being around humans,eating the closest thing to it.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

If we are going to talk about Zombies with heart beats, blood flow and oxygen. Then we are talking about living humans, and not dead ones. Sentient humans rather than dead mindless zombies -- they could be driven by the virus, that can be possible. Like the toxoplasmosis, it infects the rats, and eliminate their fear from their natural predators, the cat(in which the virus breeds in the cat only). But in this case, the human need for other human flesh? Hard to imagine, but possible. Again, reminiscing 21 days later.

A dead human by metaphysical definition anything that does not show sentience. Biologically, if there is no inter-chemical reactions in the body.

Yes, once an infected is contained, an anti-virus can be obtained from it, provided the researchers are doing their job; reminiscing the film Outbreak.

When a zombie bites you, it doesn't just bite you. It rips out the jugular located in your neck. You WILL die. If you have been vaccinated it will kill the disease, but you will bleed out. If you are a zombie and are being injected with an "anti-poison" it will kill the virus, but you are still DEAD. There is no cure or vaccine for death.

Then couldn't the virus adapt and easily spread via air born?I mean their is no need for it to go hunting for people(you did say it spread via bodily fluids ,and you would have to bite to spread your fluids)so it could easily go air born.Wouldn't easily survive if it ate to sustain life?There for ,needing stomachs and basic organ use.

The only reason the zombie bites you is to A - Kill you and B - Reanimated your brain it. does not need to eat. Fluids could also be spread by, for instance, the zombie explosively throwing up on you. This wouldn't kill you though if you are vaccinated. That's why it rips out you jugular. You'll die anyway.

[Magus]

When a zombie bites you, it doesn't just bite you. It rips out the jugular located in your neck. You WILL die.Nah, I didn't knew that. Come on. Who do you think I am?

I (http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_5-scientific-reasons-zombie-apocalypse-could-actually-happen.html) am (http://www.cracked.com/article/136_5-reasons-you-secretly-want-zombie-apocalypse/) the (http://www.cracked.com/article/126_5-popular-zombie-survival-tactics-that-will-get-you-killed/) one who (http://www.cracked.com/article/164_6-characters-who-show-up-in-every-zombie-movie/) reads (http://www.cracked.com/article_16717_6-signs-youre-about-be-attacked-by-zombies.html) these articles (http://www.cracked.com/funny-38-zombies/). Everyday, mind you.


If you have been vaccinated it will kill the disease, but you will bleed out. If you are a zombie and are being injected with an "anti-poison" it will kill the virus, but you are still DEAD. There is no cure or vaccine for death.
Biologically, if there is no inter-chemical reactions in the body. Yep.

But then again, it's good think you know. You live and shit after vaccination. The dead are, well, dead.

[RoseyCadaver]

When a zombie bites you, it doesn't just bite you. It rips out the jugular located in your neck. You WILL die. If you have been vaccinated it will kill the disease, but you will bleed out. If you are a zombie and are being injected with an "anti-poison" it will kill the virus, but you are still DEAD. There is no cure or vaccine for death.
What would the point of the virus be then?Don't forget you said it only spreads through humans.If if eventually kills us all off,then it would die....that would be rather useless.I'm pretty sure a zombie will bite you where ever it could.

The only reason the zombie bites you is to A - Kill you and B - Reanimated your brain it. does not need to eat. Fluids could also be spread by, for instance, the zombie explosively throwing up on you. This wouldn't kill you though if you are vaccinated. That's why it rips out you jugular. You'll die anyway.
If it rips out your jugular ,then oxygen couldn't get to your brain,argo your brain would die out.Then there wouldn't be a zombie to spread the virus.It would be rather easy to control the infection.




Nah, I didn't knew that. Come on. Who do you think I am?

I (http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_5-scientific-reasons-zombie-apocalypse-could-actually-happen.html) am (http://www.cracked.com/article/136_5-reasons-you-secretly-want-zombie-apocalypse/) the (http://www.cracked.com/article/126_5-popular-zombie-survival-tactics-that-will-get-you-killed/) one who (http://www.cracked.com/article/164_6-characters-who-show-up-in-every-zombie-movie/) reads (http://www.cracked.com/article_16717_6-signs-youre-about-be-attacked-by-zombies.html) these articles (http://www.cracked.com/funny-38-zombies/). Everyday, mind you.



Is it sad if I knew a lot of that stuff before reading that article :P?
I've always had a zombie fetish.Started playing Resident Evil at the age of five.....

[Sage]

I'm still doubtful that even fast zombies couldn't be quarantined if they can only spread through direct contact, but for the sake of not getting overly hung up on that issue for the whole debate, I'll answer under the assumption that a quarantine, for whatever reason, couldn't be established.

I'm turning 18 fairly soon, I'm capable of driving and maintaining a vehicle, and I have some limited experience with lighter and automatic firearms, at least to the point where I'm not overwhelmed by a powerful weapon kickback. I live in the Greater Vancouver area in Canada, in a suburban center not too far out of much larger cities like Vancouver and Seattle.

I'd rather not think of what I'd do if I had to stick with my family, so I'll go on under the assumption that everyone I live with has fallen to the zombie outbreak. There are no firearms on my property itself, though I am in possession of a few medieval swords made of a reliable steel and lethal enough sharpening. I'd dress in a few layers of clothing so that, if worse comes to worse, a zombie wouldn't be able to infect me from a passing sideswipe or shallow bite.

Even with my sword proficiency (I do practice from time to time and have studied proper form and technique) I'd rather not become solely reliant on a melee weapon for my survival against fast zombies. I assume that I'd be able to make it from my front door to one of my parents' vehicles safely, though if a zombie neighbor should approach me, my suburban area is spare and open enough that I could cut them down.

I'm in the fortunate position of my father owning both an 18-wheeler and a heavier duty pick-up truck, both of which I can drive well enough. With sufficient speed, both serve as a few good tons of heavy metal that could plow right through even the thickest of zombie hordes. To get across town, I'd rely on either of these vehicles as both weapons and transportation. I have few friends here, but if I found one to be among the survivors, I'd give him the keys to one as to not let either truck go to waste. I'd like to outfit the front of either with some form of ram or spike plating, but to be realistic, I don't think I've the automotives or welding experience and materials needed to do that.

As soon as possible, I'd drive down to a local gun shop. If they've barricaded themselves in, I'd have to judge the size of the building and attempt to break in. If worst comes to pass, I'd have to break through the front wall with the truck. Other survivors would surely also have made a run to the store, but I'm fairly certain they wouldn't be able to carry -all- the firearms and ammunition out with them. I can't be too picky considering my selection is limited to what hasn't already been scavenged, but the two traits I'd look for most in a gun would be a manageable (if not low) kickback, a high rate of fire, and a high magazine/clip size. I'd pack as many weapons as I can into my truck, but I wouldn't spend too much time there, because I'd be making myself vulnerable to attack while carrying armfuls of guns back and forth.

From there, I'd drive outside the city, preferably to an open field to recoup, eat something, and make sure all my guns are reliable and functioning. An open field is ideal, because if any zombies are near, I can see them and escape long before they get to me. From there, with a good vehicle and weaponry, I could get by well enough, though I would avoid an urban center like Vancouver unless I had managed to form a gang of some sort with at least half a dozen other well-armed individuals. There is only so much one can do alone, and having other people around would keep us all in high spirits.

Once I've mostly secured my own survival, I'd prefer seeing how I can go about helping other survivors. I don't believe that survival of the fittest should entirely become the new law of the land, and I recognize not everyone will like the idea of packing guns and mowing down their zombified peers. That doesn't mean those people should just be left to die, though, I'd argue that it'd be very unwise to get too attached to too many people who can't fend for themselves, as they'd become hindrances to everyones' survival.

I'd love to see what anyone else's short term or long term survival plans are.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Alright my turn.

I am going to assume I'm at my mother's house. I'm also going to assume that my little sister is zombified and my mother isn't.(Sorry but six year old girls tend be useless and just another mouth to feed.) I like the idea of layering clothes to lessen the lethality of bites. So after me and my mother are suited up. We take her van and drive it over to my friends house.(he owns a lot of guns)[Side note - being a 13 year old I am not a skilled driver. If I had to I think I'd be able to get a van out of my driveway without my mother (or die trying)] Once at my friends house we determine if he's alive. Odds are that he is seeing as how he knows how to use a gun. (I'm going to assume him and his father are the only survivors in his family.) We split the guns evenly between two vehicles. We also put him in the van with my mom and I go with his dad.(this is the start of our military) Now we drive over to my school. This is where we set up base. I have an entire plan as to what rooms we cap first and how we cap them but its hard to explain because you don't know what my school looks like. Eventually we cap and fortify the entire school. By this time we should have many more survivors. Our vegetable garden is flourishing on the roof (ZOMBIES CAN'T CLIMB) and our rabbit farm is producing plenty of meat. From here we begin colonizing other building. If we manage to capture the entire state of Indiana. We begin nominating leaders to speed up the capturing of states. Eventually we will begin capturing entire countries and continents. If everything goes as planned after multiple generations we should have recaptured the entire planet. I will probably be dead by the time this happens, but if humanity wins back the earth I'll be happy knowing I helped to do so.

[Sage]

Alright my turn.

I am going to assume I'm at my mother's house. I'm also going to assume that my little sister is zombified and my mother isn't.(Sorry but six year old girls tend be useless and just another mouth to feed.) I like the idea of layering clothes to lessen the lethality of bites. So after me and my mother are suited up. We take her van and drive it over to my friends house.(he owns a lot of guns)[Side note - being a 13 year old I am not a skilled driver. If I had to I think I'd be able to get a van out of my driveway without my mother (or die trying)] Once at my friends house we determine if he's alive. Odds are that he is seeing as how he knows how to use a gun. (I'm going to assume him and his father are the only survivors in his family.) We split the guns evenly between two vehicles. We also put him in the van with my mom and I go with his dad.(this is the start of our military) Now we drive over to my school. This is where we set up base. I have an entire plan as to what rooms we cap first and how we cap them but its hard to explain because you don't know what my school looks like. Eventually we cap and fortify the entire school. By this time we should have many more survivors. Our vegetable garden is flourishing on the roof (ZOMBIES CAN'T CLIMB) and our rabbit farm is producing plenty of meat. From here we begin colonizing other building. If we manage to capture the entire state of Indiana. We begin nominating leaders to speed up the capturing of states. Eventually we will begin capturing entire countries and continents. If everything goes as planned after multiple generations we should have recaptured the entire planet. I will probably be dead by the time this happens, but if humanity wins back the earth I'll be happy knowing I helped to do so.

Problems:
1) I doubt any half-responsible adult would let someone your age handle a firearm for self-defense.
2) Vegetables and animals take time to grow, and if you're turning the building into a sort of safe-haven, you'll need more space than just the roof for farmland.
3) 'Capturing' wouldn't work over large distances considering communications and infrastructure would be barely functioning at best and non-existent at worst.
4) Rabbit meat tastes like shit.

Layering clothing would also only help if you're lucky and can avoid a full bite anyway. If I had found the materials, I'd quickly exchange my coat for one of a tougher material like rawhide leather with chainmail links beneath. Assuming these zombies don't have fangs, a chainmail shirt would be light enough to wear under standard coats or sweaters, but thick and hard enough to break teeth. It's an ideal last line of defense between your flesh and zombies.

Also, school is boring. Why would you want to stay there? The zombie apocalypse is the excellent opportunity for a roadtrip and looting spree.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Problems:
1) I doubt any half-responsible adult would let someone your age handle a firearm for self-defense.
2) Vegetables and animals take time to grow, and if you're turning the building into a sort of safe-haven, you'll need more space than just the roof for farmland.
3) 'Capturing' wouldn't work over large distances considering communications and infrastructure would be barely functioning at best and non-existent at worst.
4) Rabbit meat tastes like shit.

Layering clothing would also only help if you're lucky and can avoid a full bite anyway. If I had found the materials, I'd quickly exchange my coat for one of a tougher material like rawhide leather with chainmail links beneath. Assuming these zombies don't have fangs, a chainmail shirt would be light enough to wear under standard coats or sweaters, but thick and hard enough to break teeth. It's an ideal last line of defense between your flesh and zombies.

Also, school is boring. Why would you want to stay there? The zombie apocalypse is the excellent opportunity for a roadtrip and looting spree.

1) So would it be better to forget about my mother, steel her van, and run away to a gun shop. From their should I go to my friends house and demand that his father allow him to come with me with the threat of being shot in the leg? I know for a fact I could overpower my mother, but probably not my friends father. Should I say fuck the last generation because they don't believe in their next generation being able to be independent? The two suggestions above are very rash and that's why I instead used the more sane way to deal with things.

2)That's why it's best to start the vegetable garden as soon as possible(even if it has to be planted on the rather large field next to the school.) because we can survive on canned goods until the garden is developed. I chose rabbits, because they can feed two people, if needed.(more if cooked with a stew) They also breed rather quickly.(They can become pregnant 13 times a year producing 6-12 bunnies a litter.)

3)Perhaps a postal service type thing could be arranged. Use cars to run the mail until the gas supply gets low. After that put chain mail and cow hide (as you suggested) and have them ride bikes from place to place. I realize this wouldn't work over continents, but by the time we start recapturing overseas I hope we would have some kind of virtual communication built, otherwise it wouldn't be recommended. Remember I don't expect this to happen over night, more like over several generations.

4)Without meat our species would have a considerably smaller brain. I don't care if it tastes like shit. Its the easiest to breed.

[Aliasing]

It's funny how everyone here assumes that they will immediately become the most badass zombie killing machine. Immediately after the infection hits. Funny how people think it will be awesome.

It will suck.

Just a few points:

•One: The constant fear that while your sleeping you will be eaten
•Two: The constant fear of Running out of the basic necessities, and how you will retrieve more in a world without industry.
•Three: The paranoia that those around you have been bitten/ how will you react to a family member being so.
•Four: Lack of order, the fact is that at any time during an outbreak, you could get killed by humans wanting your resources.
•Five: Most people on this forum are teens. You really think we can deal with the stress of a world in chaos?

Just my usual cynicism. Don't mind me if you are the biggest optimist

[RoseyCadaver]

It's funny how everyone here assumes that they will immediately become the most badass zombie killing machine. Immediately after the infection hits. Funny how people think it will be awesome.

It will suck.

Just a few points:

•One: The constant fear that while your sleeping you will be eaten
•Two: The constant fear of Running out of the basic necessities, and how you will retrieve more in a world without industry.
•Three: The paranoia that those around you have been bitten/ how will you react to a family member being so.
•Four: Lack of order, the fact is that at any time during an outbreak, you could get killed by humans wanting your resources.
•Five: Most people on this forum are teens. You really think we can deal with the stress of a world in chaos?

Just my usual cynicism. Don't mind me if you are the biggest optimist

One:I'm always fearing I'll die in sleep,why I only get five hours of sleep.I'm rather paranoid.Plus in a group,you could take turns sleeping.

Two:I live next to a creek and have a garden,so I could just barricade my home :P.

Three:Go to number one

Four:Most people in my area are rather good to their neighbors.

Five:I IZ A BAD ASS BUG DICK!DON'T mESS WITH MEH AND MY BADAZZ!L0l!


No, but seriously I agree.A lot of people wouldn't know that to do exactly and be freaking out.

I still think some people will be keeping a cool head.I would be excited,and at the same time be freaking out of course.

What we would do is probably barricade our house,and backyard.If it seemed like the infection had already spread like wild fire,we head for my aunts house ,in the middle of no where.My father would probably give me one his pistols(we have 4 pistols,2 shot gun,and 3 riffles,we didn't buy them,just inherited them from our grandpa and uncles).I've shoot it a couple times,and I'm a decent shot.We would try to stay together,because one of the worse things you could do in a zombie invasion is split up.We would accept survivors if we could see that they weren't bitten.First signs of infection ,they're gone.Once rations were gone,and garden ran out of food,we head for food.Also the variables depend on how bad the infection has gotten.

[Sage]

It's funny how everyone here assumes that they will immediately become the most badass zombie killing machine

I never made that assumption. I shared a hypothetical survival plan, every step of which is dependent on surviving the previous step. No matter how good any plan is, there's still a perfectly reasonable chance that it won't work anyway. Just because I'm a decent marksman doesn't mean I can't be caught by surprise, or be eaten during an unexpected weapon jam, or run out of ammunition sooner than expected, or just be bitten by some naturally venomous creature and die of a cause 100% unrelated to the zombie apocalypse going on around me.

Getting a weapon is part of any good zombie survival plan. Your odds of survival can only go up if you have a means of defending yourself. Zombies becoming a new cause of death won't result in the end of every other cause of death. I already acknowledged in a previous post that finding food and lacking modern conveniences would suck because of the collapse of infrastructure and industry. You have a poor understanding of cynicism. (but that's just an obligatory off-topic jab.)

[Aliasing]

I love obligatory off-topic Jabs. They make me smile, not going to get into that.

Meh, It would be much harder for people to obtain an actual weapon, when most stores are probably looted in the chaos by other survivors. So I assume most people (at least in Canada, don't know how many people on this forum have guns) will have to make some sort of makeshift club or something along those lines. But the whole situation changes depending on the type of zombies.

From what I know there are 3 typical kinds:
•Fast Zombies: A "modern" touch to the zombie genre, fast and more likely to catch up to fat people ;)
•Slow limbering zombies: The main zombie type introduced before "28 Day's Later" (Not going to argue about Rage virus infected are zombies)
•The third is a spin off of the Slow zombies; The Walking Dead Zombies. The only difference between these guys and #2 is that these guys only die when the Brain is destroyed. So it would be harder to kill some. Also factor in that Walking Dead Zombies are everyone, they just need to die first. Sort of like Zombie-Martini mix.


•Also I'm sure others would appreciate the lack of off-topic jabs (being a bit in bad-taste, or just being a jerk. Take your pick) So I suggest you try to tone down on that.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

I love obligatory off-topic Jabs. They make me smile, not going to get into that.

Meh, It would be much harder for people to obtain an actual weapon, when most stores are probably looted in the chaos by other survivors. So I assume most people (at least in Canada, don't know how many people on this forum have guns) will have to make some sort of makeshift club or something along those lines. But the whole situation changes depending on the type of zombies.

From what I know there are 3 typical kinds:
•Fast Zombies: A "modern" touch to the zombie genre, fast and more likely to catch up to fat people ;)
•Slow limbering zombies: The main zombie type introduced before "28 Day's Later" (Not going to argue about Rage virus infected are zombies)
•The third is a spin off of the Slow zombies; The Walking Dead Zombies. The only difference between these guys and #2 is that these guys only die when the Brain is destroyed. So it would be harder to kill some. Also factor in that Walking Dead Zombies are everyone, they just need to die first. Sort of like Zombie-Martini mix.


•Also I'm sure others would appreciate the lack of off-topic jabs (being a bit in bad-taste, or just being a jerk. Take your pick) So I suggest you try to tone down on that.

I figured you would have realized by now that this thread is completely hypothetical. I have already clarified what type of zombies you are dealing with in this scenario. Please describe your survival plan or stop posting here. Also stop trolling and insulting people, that is not something that should be done in a debate forum.

[Solo Rider]

You people got it all figured out I will leave you to it...

[davisbr2]

grab a baseball bat and go to town

[PerpetualImperfexion]

grab a baseball bat and go to town

A baseball bat is probably not a very good choice. If its wood and you manage to snap a zombies neck it will probably have broken by then. And even if its metal hand to hand combat can be dangerous, because by the time you get close enough to a zombie to hit it chances are you will get bit or bled on. Any other ideas?

[Ronin]

I'd close the door, walk upstairs, move my bed against my door, load my rifle and then go on the computer until it all blows over. S'all good.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

I'd close the door, walk upstairs, move my bed against my door, load my rifle and then go on the computer until it all blows over. S'all good.

We're assuming that quite a large percentage of the population is zombies and humanity cannot come back. There is no electricity, therefore no internet. Locking yourself in your room would work for awhile but you will eventually need food.

[FearsomeEnder]

I have fired a live weaponry before. Well at this time in my mind im thinking my mom is a zombie. shes not my mom anymore she is my enemy i whould instantly kick her as hard as i can in the stomach knocking her down run down into the celler where the shotgun is grab it and try to barricade up the house windows the doors i whould reinforce with whatever i find lieing around. on me i whould carry a compass the shotgun a handgun if i find one and a butcher knife i found at home. driving is not an option for i am 13 i dont even have a learners permit. If the house gets to the point where zombies are coming in i whould run into the garage and grab the machete cleve off some zombie heads and go into the back yard in the back yard theres a hole into the nearbors house and see what i can use as a wepon there. board up that house as my HQ. i whould leave to my dads friends gun store and grab as much ammo i can carry and a pistol. getting there wont be to hard as the shop is only a few blocks away. I try to find survivors because you need someone to make shure you can take a piss. well day 2 i whould worry about food but this is too long soo ill and it here. kthxbai.

[Ronin]

We're assuming that quite a large percentage of the population is zombies and humanity cannot come back. There is no electricity, therefore no internet. Locking yourself in your room would work for awhile but you will eventually need food.

Then the rifle would come in handy to finish myself off. See, all you need is a little optimism on these problems.

[FearsomeEnder]

Also I whould much rather be in a "romero" zombie situation.

[KylieEatWorld]

As a suggestion we can make the assumption that the zombies turn in much the same way that Carrie Ryan describes it. Unless someone saw the wound, you could hide your infection until the venom infected your entire brain which, depending on the severity of the bite could last up to a few days.

We would also go under the assumption that whatever form of energy animates these bodies who no longer have a pumping heart to walk around and infect more victims would also keep a level of preservation on the zombies. One that would keep their bodies intact enough to keep spreading the infection despite weather conditions, decay, or time spent without consuming more flesh.

As Carrie Ryan depicts the "Unconsecrated". The virus is able to adapt to it's surroundings and were someone infected not surrounded by other zombies it would be a fast zombie able to infect more people, faster and cause more damage to barriers and the like but it would burn out whilst the slow ones, Unconsecrated that turned whilst near other unconsecrated, would never burn out. This way the adaptable virus could use the quick zombies to infect as many as possible and then the sheer numbers would make the zombies dangerous enough without the need for them to be fast.

The infection could never be completely stamped out as you could find one last zombie, stuck in a closet, wandering around the forest, or washed up on the beach. Starting a whole new wave of infection. The main goal, I think for most, would be survival. However, many people with a calm moment would realize with the fragility of life that passing on a legacy would be best and it would all depend on each individual person what their prerogative during a zombie invasion would be.

One last thing to consider is other people. Zombies would not be the only dangerous enemy out there. People would turn on one another if they thought it gave them a better chance of surviving or living more comfortably which includes crimes of a violent nature and also thievery and piracy. With the worry of passing on a legacy, people might want to force sex upon someone who could help them acquire a child. Religious groups would try to seize control of the situation and use fear to control their followers. People who crack from the pressure might purposely infect themselves or open up your barriers and there goes the town, literally.

Kudos to Sage on explaining how most of you kids would never be able to shoot your mother in the face and instead become infected because of her.

[RoseyCadaver]

Unless someone saw the wound, you could hide your infection until the venom infected your entire brain which, depending on the severity of the bite could last up to a few days.


Kudos to Sage on explaining how most of you kids would never be able to shoot your mother in the face and instead become infected because of her.

It's not venom,they aren't snakes or jellyfish :neutral: ,it's a virus.



And shit,me and mom all ready fight like one of us are zombies as it is :lol: .Even if she did become a zombie,she wouldn't be my mother.She'd be a zombie.People do things to survive.


Oh and there is this really good zombie movie I saw awhile back,I really loved it :D it was called Fido.Zombies have tooken over,but we take back the land,now they're bit like pets :D.

[KylieEatWorld]

It's not venom,they aren't snakes or jellyfish :neutral: ,it's a virus.

Poor word choice. It's still passed on through biting. Also, jellyfish sting. They don't bite.

And shit,me and mom all ready fight like one of us are zombies as it is :lol: .Even if she did become a zombie,she wouldn't be my mother.She'd be a zombie.People do things to survive.

You're bad relationship with your parents has nothing to do with the fact that zombies still look like people which makes it rather difficult to pull the trigger.

Oh and there is this really good zombie movie I saw awhile back,I really loved it :D it was called Fido.Zombies have tooken over,but we take back the land,now they're bit like pets :D.

Sounds interesting as long as it's not one of those shitty comedic horror movies like Shawn of the Dead or Zombieland.

[RoseyCadaver]

Poor word choice. It's still passed on through biting. Also, jellyfish sting. They don't bite.

I know,I study marine biology, silly :P.I guess that was my poor choice of words.

You're bad relationship with your parents has nothing to do with the fact that zombies still look like people which makes it rather difficult to pull the trigger.
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/10/ZOMBIECON.flv.jpg http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNovYCV7gmRf5KVEQj3QB5mlCoDT__AC_qccVch1HVo3venq509A Still a difference :P.Granted I would have a hard time,if I know(which I would cuz I'm a zombie freak :P)she was a zombie,I knew there is no turning back.


Sounds interesting as long as it's not one of those shitty comedic horror movies like Shawn of the Dead or Zombieland.
It isn't.It has class thank you :P.

[DoctorWho]

I'd camp out in the nearest gas station and kill them from there but when they break in I run out the back and blow it up

[Awesome]

I would wake up from this horrible nightmare, because obivously its a nightmare.

[Sporadica]

Think about human population during life.

I find it highly unlikely that a hoard of zombies is going to walk to some random farm 150km from any major (even if its just 1000ppl) population center.

My friend has a cabin that's far away from people and is close to a lake and he has it stocked with lots of food and water, he also has solar panels. He has some firearms and ammo, lots of bladed weapons, clubs too, and cross/bows and arrows/bolts

he is planning for a societal collapse (cuz he can afford it) but funny enough he didn't even intend for the solar panels to be used for survival just to get off the grid.

My plan is high tail it to his place. I have a key in case he for some reason never makes it out of the city

[Professional Russian]

OK so your guys are right alot of people would not have the skills to handle a loaded firearm or shoot without hurting them selves or survive on their own or kill other people. the outbreak wouldn't be instantaneous it would take weeks months to take the whole planet. Very few people in this world have the full goverment live firearms training knowledge like i do and the hand to hand combat training like me. but people who do will survive for long than without. if it water based the virus will spread fast than lets say the typical game\movie way bitten. because alot of people would be able to run from a zombie if it tried to bite them and then theres the few that would be ruthless and shoot the zombie and go on a rampage about it. If you were to find surviers you could have them with you and grow stronger and reproduce. then the problem of food water and ammunition. Food you can kill right from where your at. water you would have to purifie it. ammution you would have to stock up on before the outbreak reached you. correct me on any hing you think is wrong

[acid_rayne]

Lol how radom but personally i would run for my life

[WaahZombie]

Uh, I would love to be a zombie... Hence my username. I would let them feast on my so I become one. Pretty simple.

[AmusedDJ]

obviously go and hide in costco

[HaydenM]

I would either get out of town as quick as possible, or take the rooftop of the nearest bunnings (i think its like your home depo or something). There is wood for construction, plants for growing purposes, tubs / tarps to catch water. Then seings as zombies do not regenerate i would wait for them to pull all their muscles when they run and then just wait for help.

[Apparitions]

Sounds interesting as long as it's not one of those shitty comedic horror movies like Shawn of the Dead or Zombieland.
:eek: How dare you call Shawn of the Dead 'shitty'!



Anyway, my plan of action (btw, in this I'm assuming that the zombz are just fast and can't jump really high and aren't really strong. I've got to have a chance to survive, at least). In my scenario, everyone in my family is infected but fortunately they are busy far away biting people and shit. I wake up, look out the window and see a few zombies out in the street. After panicking for a while, I pull myself together. I'm not gonna get bitten by some fucking zombie. I check that all the doors, windows etc are secure downstairs and barricade them. For the moment, I'll stay at home where I can get my shit together and think about how to survive. I go and check that I have plenty of tinned food and bottled water/other drinks to last for a while. Then I look for a weapon. I get a spanner (these fuckers are hard and will do some damage), a nice big knife, a hammer, a rolling-pin and my Dad's crossbow. I also get a lighter, a torch, batteries, a GPS thing (you know, one of those Tom Tom things...) and other basic, light essentials. I get my Dad's big rucksack and put most of my shit in there apart from the crossbow, some arrows and the rolling-pin thingy for melee combat. I stay at home for a while until I decide to go into the big, bad world. This is where playing Splinter Cell comes in. I try to stay hidden, only moving quickly and quietly. There are only a few zombz nearby anyway, so I can get away with sneaking past them through people's gardens. I make it to the high street and stock up on more batteries, potential weapons and shitloads of tinned food. I have several bottles of water on me and some chocolate for energy. I go to the pub and get some spirits (Molotov cocktails FTW!) I try and find a working car. I'll assume that I find one and manage to get in. The keys have been left in there by the former owner. The street has quite a few zombz around, so I quickly start the car and floor it. I set my GPS for the motorway. I don't want to hang around London for long. I manage to make it onto the M23 before my car runs out of petrol. I leave it, then wander down the motorway for a while, keeping a look out for any signs of a farm. I survive by rationing my food and water, which when coupled with the rather heavy bag on my back leaves me quite tired and in need of a place to rest for the night. Unfortunately, there are about 40 zombies around me on the road. I try to take out a few closest to me with the crossbow, missing a few times due to my limited experience using it. I then go off the motorway onto a field, and walk across that. From here, I'm constantly looking for any farms that are some distance away from the road (and therefore safer). I'll assume that I find one, a small abandoned farm with a decent sized house and several cows, chickens and pigs. It takes quite a while but eventually I can just about manage to live of my little farm. After a year or so and a few close encounters with a zombie or two managing to break through my makeshift defences, I decide to look for survivors. I've written enough by now so I'll stop here and leave you to come up with your own ending. BTW, all of this scenario is possible and fairly realistic, of course with quite a bit of luck involved :P.

[aperson444]

Here's how I see a feasible zombie virus: A mutation of the rabies virus (Rhabdoviridae) causes a quickly mutating virus that is spread by bodily fluids that are in direct contact with nerves. The polio virus is known to slowly spread up motor neurons after viremia, so this virus quickly spreads to the brain after the subject comes into contact with infectious saliva, blood or tears. In addition, this virus could also be spread by aerosols (sneezing and coughing), which takes longer. The virus enters the lungs and slowly filters into the bloodstream. Slow viremia with normalish symptoms like fever, vomiting, bleeding would occur until the virus reaches the nerves. No virus known can penetrate unbroken skin, but broken wounds are a big entry point. The virus would not "control" the brain, but instead would cause severe aggression and inability to derive pleasure from normal food. Perhaps human flesh is the only material the zombie can truly survive off of. Animal flesh works too. Perhaps these zombies are on overdrive and produce large amounts of proteins and secretions, thus requiring plenty of ingested protein. The zombie may display signs of motor disorientation and jerky motion due to affected nerves.

You can often tell if a pandemic is going to occur by looking at data. The CDC collects A LOT of data on outbreaks. On the onset of a suspected outbreak, you should at the very least build a small kit. This should include a weapon (perhaps a .44 handgun, or a .45 ACP pistol like the M1911, which gives a strong punch to any organ that it touches). In theory, this "zombie" is only really using three or four organs. The heart, the lungs, the brain and the stomach are the most important. These should be the main target points. Buying hollowpoint rounds for your weapon could greatly improve your chance of killing the zombie. The kit should also contain a knife, a lighter, a tac-Light, matches, water, a nice thick jacket/hoodie, a crude molotov cocktail, oxycodone/opiate painkiller and possibly a radio. In this case, you are caught off guard. You should find a hard blunt object or something sharp and aim for the jugular, the base of the neck or the ribs. Avoid any blood. Then run, get dressed quickly, get your gun and your kit and find the nearest camping store. These are staples for survival. The ultimate goal should be to build a literal bunker. There are fallout bunkers in many areas. If you are truly afraid of a zombie apocalypse, you should build a nearby shelter with reinforced concrete walls and a closed ventilation system. If you can get to a gun store, you will want a more powerful weapon. Infections spread MAD fast. If you can find automatic weapons, find something with a large magazine. A Glock 17 with extended mag is great, but 9 mm just won't cut it. A nice 5.56 or 7.62 weapon (AKM or AR15) will do. They are usually semi-automatic in the US. You can sometimes find full autos. The 5.45 round works nicely too, but at close quarters, you want either a heavy 7.62 round or a fragmenting 5.56 round. Maximum damage. Explosives can be made with fertilizer and fuel, though you will probably want molotov cocktails and compact grenades. With weapons and first aid armed, you should find an isolated location if not a ready-made bunker or shelter. If you can find a vehicle, you should attempt to find home depot and pick up supplies. Scope out all targets with a nice pair of binocs before entering. Pick up metal sheets, pipe, concrete, fertilizer, gasoline, LOTS of water and as much crap as possible. Building a shelter should be simple at first. Use metal roofing to build a small fence, then use piping as poles. Hand a roof up. That's ghetto right there. Make sure you are somewhere isolated. Be alert. Return to the Home Depot for a generator once you feel that the shelter is fairly secure. You can make mines and traps using fertilizer/fuel oil compositions. Bear traps are nice too. The generator will need a lot of fuel. Get fuel, a generator and some cinder blocks or something heavy. Your shelter should slowly build up to a maze of obstacles. The zombie has a mushy brain that is not necessarily human. If you have other survivors with you, get them to patrol and watch for zombies. Food is a must as well. Scavenge as much as possible to get sacks of rice, beans and basic staples. Avoid stuff like meat, milk and wet fruit. Salted stuff is better than unsalted. When raiding denser areas, you want a shotgun. I think 12 gauge should be fine. A pump action Mossberg would work well. The Saiga 12K is a beautiful semiautomatic Russian shotgun (12 gauge) found sometimes in the US. Look for it. Napalm can be used to clear out areas (styrofoam and gasoline is essentially ghetto napalm). The ultimate goal should be to band together survivors and investigate the virus. A smart virus is rapidly mutating, so vaccines are difficult to perfect (as is the case for HIV). Zombies, if completely incapable of human actions, should kill themselves out within a few months. Any nervous/brain virus can cause paralysis. They could also dehydrate and die. Burn all zombie bodies. Contamination of food and water supplies is DEADLY. Always decontaminate water from streams/lakes.

There you go. My two cents there.

[Professional Russian]

yeah Ill take ruger new model super black hawk .44 Rem. Mag. My ruger M77 Hawkeye 7MM Rem. Mag. for long range And My Red jacket Saiga 12 GA. and a M4 commando for close combat

[Korashk]

I'd just move to Alaska or somewhere in Northern Canada. Maybe even Northern Europe.

[superstar2067]

If 98% of the world population are zombies I would most likely kill myself, that's if I was alone.
If I had companions I would hold up in a base with them, never leave and grow my own food

[bleachedteen]

first I would probably piss my pants but then my basic instinct would be to run. My dad doesn't keep any guns so I would check my neighbors house, I think I would probably try to stay calm and walk slowly so I wouldn't stand out. Assuming my neighbors did have a gun I would actually try to dress as a zombie and blend in, and if they found out i was human I would double tap two bullets to the head. After that I'd just run around and try to survive, maybe take over a walmart. free guns, bullets, food, and plumbing
I feel if a 'zombie apocalypse' did happen it would be a kind of radiation that had been spiked into main water sources. you need water to survive right? It wouldn't really explain the flesh eating thing besides thirsty people going delerious and believing they can get water from another person by killing them. and it would be a massacre