Dear Zombie Master: Best Survival Manual?

by The Survivor
(México)

Dear Zombie Master,

Hi, is me again. A fast question: what survivor book or manual do you recommend to read to be prepared to survive in zombie mayhem and/or other common situation like, for example, being lost in the forest?

Secondly, I don’t know if this is the appropriate place to debate my last question but if so, I thought some detailed tips with respect to armor could be useful:

1) Simple denim with little to none reinforces. This is the best armor that those incredulous people but with the will of survive can obtain. As easy to wear at the same time 2 denim pants with a denim jacket or a winter outfit (yeah, those things are hard to bite, I only hope to be in some kind of cold environment or be prepare to carry tons of water). Reinforce could be made of cardboard or plastic to protect arms and legs.

2) Handmade armor. Those without the buck to spend on a more efficient type of armor could find this idea pretty useful. You can reinforce a denim outfit (best if is a full body outfit) with leather or more fabric. Buy a hockey helmet or foot ball one to ensure your face some degree of safety and some kind of goggle if you wish to kick zombie’s ass. Remember that a shin and similar gear are a great complement to this kind of armor. A zombie can chew those for hours before reach you (maybe they get tired of chewing and left you. Hope they don’t have a relay chewing team).

3) Steel or aluminum ring mail armor. If you can afford to get this baby you can survive days of chewing zombie mayhem with ease and they could lose some teeth. Remember to design this armor to be an anti bite armor, this is to ensure your skin and flesh full protection from the metal. And, if you ask, you don’t lose a chunk of mobility with these things if are well made (and if you are thinking about survive a zombie mayhem, you must have a nice athletic condition to start with anyway).

The main problem with the zombies is the one bite KO thing. If those people in the movies could ever thought of some kind of armor (even the number 1 kind) their survival would have skyrocket. For example, in Resident Evil 3 when the group went to recharge gas in Las Vegas, the later human bomb Carlos Oliveria (if I remember correctly) was bitten in the arm in his heroic labor of saving a girl. Situation one: Oh, I have like 30 seconds before your teeth pierce my simple cardboard arm protector (try it if you wish to probe my theory). 15 seconds later – bang. One less zombie and with a no infected bite. Situation 2: One bite KO, I’m sorry, best luck next time bomb guy.

And, the most interesting part of your answers. I’m with you, if the horde of zombies catches you AND you are alone, the level 1 armor is useless. The level 2 armor can give you time to come with something and increase your odds or survive it. The level 3 armor is, well, a turtle strategy and your odds of survive are great. But, if you are in a group, (even a two person group) the armor can give your partner enough time to rescue you healthy and, if done well enough, with your fighting capability. With less loses on your team, your overall survival looks well.

The shield thing is debatable. If you are alone in an open area the shield is kind of useless and the two weapon choice is better but, in a small hallway, the shield is a moving barricade making it a better option. In a moderate or big group is a living barricade and with the Phalanx strategy is a mobile fortress (remember, they are zombies, dumb zombies with none sense of danger). And a well made shield could watch your back (literally). The last thing is important if you are alone or in a really small group. You can put the shield in you back and protect those secondary weapons and food supplies.

For your time, thanks.

The Survivor,
Mexico

The Survivor,

There are several survivor handbooks out there but the two that I have found absolutely indispensable are the 'U.S. Army Survival Manual' and the 'S.A.S. Survival Handbook'. Any climate, any terrain, any situation they have it covered.

As far as the armor debate might I suggest that if you are not already that you become a member of the Ossuary community and post your comments in the Zombie area. It is a good subject and it would be interesting to bring more people into the conversation.

Good hunting and aim high,

The Zombie Master