Your Name: Comrade 47
Your Location: Camilla, Ontario
Radio Handle: Irrelevant, we're not using radios.
Involved Persons: Myself, mother, father, brother, best friend (five total).

FAQ
Will you be staying in your home or headed somewhere else?
I will be staying in my home, as a two-story brick house on a slight incline, it is fairly easily defended.

Got anyone you want to take with you?
My best friend lives in a nearby town of 30 000, so grabbing her and bringing her back to survive the initial chaos is the first thing I'll do. My mother will almost definitely be home, and it's likely so will my brother (if my father is home from work, or if it's the weekend, then it's his lucky day).

How will you communicate with the outside world?
We won't. Radio silence, only listening for transmissions.

How are you planning to get food and water?
A small-sized potato farm, supplemented with other crops, and food taken from raids on local homes and supermarkets. Water would be supplied by my house's well.

What's your weapon of choice?
A large brick attached to a rope or chain, to be deployed from any second story window. As for a less static weapon, I'd probably have to use weapons of opportunity.

Are you willing to hook up with other survivors?
Not really. I only really trust my best friend and family.

Are you willing to be a raider to survive?
While I'm not planning on it, if my choice was starve to death or steal, I'm going to have to go with stealing.

Loosely, what's your overall plan?
Attract as little attention from the undead and raiders as possible, maintain a self-sustaining source of food, thin out as many of the undead as possible.

A lot of your contingency plans involve committing suicide when things go wrong. Isn't that a little extreme?
Taking my own life will be the absolute last resort. It would be preferable to starving to death, being ripped apart by a dozen pairs of hands, or turning into one of the undead and trying to kill my family. My religious beliefs are that committing suicide will not affect where I go in the afterlife, especially in a situation as extreme as this.

Contents Of My Survival Kit
This is a list of the items and supplies I currently have ready to go right this minute, if I needed to. As I am putting this kit together on a budget, the addition of items will be slow, to say the least. This list does not include the food that is already in my house, nor does it include the various objects that can be used as weapons.

Bug In Bag (As of 13/08/11)
24 500ml bottles of water (10 liters total, 3 liters per person)
Lee Powder Measure Kit (but no powder, primers, or casings, so a lot of good this does us...)
Small collapsible shovel

Extraction Bag (for if the sh*t hits the fan while retrieving my best friend) (As of 16/07/11)
Medium sized backpack

Items I am currently aiming to add to Bug In Bag:
Food
Water* (as much as possible)
Two pump-action 12 gauge shotguns
One Mosin-Nagant rifles (cheapest, and probably first, firearm to be added)
Several SKS rifles
Binoculars
Road flares
Camouflage or dark green jackets
Crowbar
12 gauge shotgun shells and rifle ammunition (quantities will be dependent on cost)
Blankets*
Lighters*
Matches*
First aid kit
Batteries*

Items I am currently aiming to add to 'Extraction Bag'
The bare-minimum of water to keep two people hydrated for a 20 kilometer march, without being excessively heavy*
A small, light firearm (possibly a handgun), with minimal ammunition to avoid excessive weight

(Asterisk denotes items likely to be added soon.)

Overview Of Group
Myself: The self-imposed leader of the group. I would definitely be the most knowledgeable of the situation (ie. zombies), and the details of this survival plan. My position (as well as my pathetic physical strength) will likely be challenged by my male relatives, larger than I am. I would reason with them that I have a very detailed plan, which I more than they have. If it comes down to a physical confrontation, I'll probably cheat. Applying for a firearm license in several months, and as such, may add a second 'shooter' to the group.

Brother: Group nutrition and exercise expert. Holds a blue belt in karate (although he takes classes irregularly now). He is highly physically active, runs almost every day, and does numerous upper body strength exercises. He is no doubt the fastest and most capable runner of the group, and would likely be used to great effect scouting the area and other matters that will require speed. My only concern is that he is the one mostly likely to attempt to usurp my unofficial (and not exactly prestigious) position as group leader. Currently expressing interest in joining the army reserves, which in the event of the zombie apocalypse, could either increase his already-impressive usefulness, or have him called up to serve hundreds of miles away.

Father: Group weapons expert, and the only one with any real world firearms experience. My father was an army reservist, and even after a decade of non-service, still has more experience than anyone else (as of present). My father is also a truck driver, having driven transport trucks for a living, and currently driving cement trucks. This will allow us to use trucks to move large amount of cargo at a time, or to set up barricades using trailers.

Best friend: Small framed. No fighting or weapons experience, but shows extreme enthusiasm towards firearms (unlike the rest of the group). Grew up on a farm. She will wait for her family if they agree to accompany me during the Panic (unlikely, as they are not particularly fond of me), but will leave them behind if they do not.

Mother: Slowest and least able-bodied of the group.

Of the five of us, one will have some firearms experience, and one of us will excel at running. The physically weaker two of the group will put some minor additional strain on the others when it comes to guard shifts, but will ensure that at least two people are available to tend to non-combat/scavenging matters (such as gardening).

A sizable number of the group suffers from some form of mental illness, mostly depression related. Obviously, prescription medicine will be non existent, so I may heavily reconsider the decision to provide firearms to certain people. Securing the weapons, keeping them out of depressed and angry hands, but still rapidly available during a break-in or ambush, may serve difficult.

Another point of note is the fact that most of the group relies on glasses or contact lenses for vision. While none of us would be blind without them, it would definitely be to our detriment to be without them.

Equipment
The only way to ensure that I'll have any of these is by stashing supplies ahead of time. After then, I find what I find, and get what I deserve for being under-prepared.

Rifles: For downing enemies at longer ranges, before they become a threat.
12 Gauge Shotguns: Ammo is abundant, and weapon can be found in hunting stores.
Handguns: Useful backup/confined space weapons. Easy to use.
Molotov Cocktails: Useful for signaling, destroying buildings, and creating diversions.
Crowbar: Found in any hardware store, useful for clearing obstructions. Also a close-quarters weapon.
Fire Axe: Useful for clearing light obstructions and as a weapon. Common, but heavy.

Water Purification Tablets: Prevents us from getting ill, which in the new world, could mean death.
Bicycle Generator: Keeps us in shape, and could power some lights or radios, and charge batteries.
Seeds: Necessary for growing crops to supplement food supplies.

Gas Mask/Air Filter: Can protect us from fumes from fires, and stave off bacteria from dead bodies.
Goggles: Keeps blood/dust out of eyes.
Binoculars/Monocular: Useful for scouting for danger ahead.
CB Radio: For picking up nearby transmissions (raiders, military).
Rope: A million uses, which escape me at the moment.
Walkie-talkies: For contact with other guards, raiding parties.

MRE Rations: Last for up to ten years, nutritious.
Vitamins/Nutritional Supplements: For keeping up good health.
First Aid Kit: For surviving injuries and promoting recovery.
Antidepressants/Anti-psychotics: Useful for staving off the mental illnesses a world of death can bring.

Overlooked Threats
The most basic (and obvious) threats during the zombie apocalypse will be the zombies, starvation, and raiders. But what about our teeth falling out from lack of brushing? Where will we put your human waste? What will we do about the bacteria piles of dead bodies littering the streets will invite? Ever the planner, I have come up with solutions to issues that may be as deadly as the zombies themselves.

Airstrikes/Nuclear Attack:
In the earlier stages of the outbreak, the military may take drastic measure in an attempt to control the spread of the infection. This may include bombing cities or areas considered lost. If supplies permit, I would transform an inner room, like a closet, into a fallout shelter: pre-stocked food and water, shielded walls, limited airflow to the outside. Hopefully, my distance from major cities will protect me from the main blast, while the shelter will minimize the chances of me dying a slow and painful death from radiation poisoning. Obviously, my makeshift closet isn't going to do anything against anything nuclear even remotely close to us, but it'd give us the best chance against fallout.

Bacteria From Dead Bodies: The simplest way to eliminate the risk of disease from rotting corpse is to simply not produce any. Any acts to thin the collective zombie ranks will be planned ahead, and precautions will be taken .The bodies will be burned where they fall as soon as possible. Logically, the blaze should be unable to set fire to the entire building, as it is concrete and metal. If burning is impossible, I'll take reasonable measures to quarantine myself from the infected area (ie. sealed doors). Bleach will be used to clean pools of blood.

Bacteria From Human Waste: Urine will be 'deposited' into plastic containers, and poured as far from our well as reasonable. Feces will be stored in sealed containers until they are ready to be burned, or fertilizer for growing food.

Mental Illness: Several members of the group already suffers from some form of mental illness. Additionally, several others are genetically predisposed to clinical depression. Further more, the extreme stress of a zombie apocalypse will likely not help our mental states. Without the luxury of prescription medication, we will have to rely on still having each other and optimism to prevent us from becoming suicidally depressed.

Raiders/Criminals: There is the likely possibility that greedy or desperate people will try to take my supplies. My risk of being attacked and robbed will be minimized by remaining radio silent, and hiding any markers of my presence in the area (disguising hideout, cleaning up bodies when feasible). Should the passive measures fail, I will do my best to diffuse the situation peacefully, and should that fail, fight. If it comes to a fight, it is necessary that we do not let anyone escape alive, as they may return again with information on our position and numbers, as well as a grudge for killing their friends.

Rodents/Insects: I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that is devoid of poisonous insects such as scorpions, and most snakes. However, rats, mice, and other insects can still pose a threat to me and my food. Rats crawling through seas of rotting bodies, and then onto my food is obviously unhealthy. Insects landing on fecal matter or rotting flesh, and then taking a swim in our drinking water is also a threat. All water will be either in closed containers, or covered well. Loose food (fruit, for example) will be placed in containers, eaten, or discarded. Similar to the decoy open can of beer kept away from the patio party, a rotting corpse may be left far from our compound, to attract insects and rats to it and lure them away from us.

Tooth Decay: Tooth decay will start off with discomfort, and later lead to infection. Toothpaste will be among the top priorities when salvaging supplies. Carbonated, sugary drinks will be keep for trading to other survivors (as they can be traded for more nutritious food).

The Panic
The first week of the outbreak will be the most chaotic, with other people being as great a danger as the undead. As soon as I know that it's happening right f*cking now, I will grab a blunt object, gather my family members and calmly tell them that the world may be ending (in gentler words). I would speak firmly

"I need you to listen to be very carefully. Something terrible has happened. Mom, go upstairs, turn on the bathtub, then go in your bedroom and close the door. Dad and Michael, take as much non-perishable food and bottles of water upstairs as you can. The instant you hear anything trying to get in the house, run upstairs and block off the stairs with the bookcases and mattresses. Leave a space for me, I'm coming back. Use this [MAG-LITE FLASHLIGHT KEPT IN KITCHEN] if anything comes through. Hit them on the head, and do not let them bite you."

I will then retrieve my 'extraction bag', and demand the car keys from my father. If he protests, which wouldn't be unreasonable, I would explain to him that I am taking the car to go pick up a friend. If he protests further, I will take them from him using force (the order of force which will be used is as follows: ask kindly, ask firmly, demand, threaten with Mag-Lite, strike with Mag-Lite). Next, I call my best friend. If she's home, and picks up, I would tell her to stay put, that I'm coming for her. If she's not home, I will assume she is either en route to the bug in location or dead, and proceed to assist my family in preparing for the first week after Z-day.

"[BEST FRIEND], listen carefully. It's finally happened, the dead are walking [SHE AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THE MATTER BEFORE]. Get into your bedroom closet, and do not make a sound. I'm coming for you. Do not make a single sound."

Logic dictates that during the initial panic, I should stay put at home, and ride out the chaos. I'm not doing that, not when my best friend is still out there, afraid and vulnerable to the undead, rapists, and thieves. I will take my dad's Crown Victoria, down the ten kilometer highway into town. It's a wide highway, but in the event a portion is blocked, I will take a side road. After pulling up in front of her house, I will quickly grab her, run back to the car, and drive back home. If the area around her house is crawling with stenches, then I would attempt to thin the numbers by crushing a few under the wheels of the car, and pray that we can out-maneuver the rest.

Altering The Surrounding Area to Our Advantage

Long Term Projects

• Creating more permanent barricades
• Eliminating blind spots/cover around the house (e.g. trees, tall grass)
  
• Establishing a small farm
• Establishing a bicycle generator
• Isolating the well, or making it accessible from the roof/outer windows
• Make the surrounding area less zombie- and raider-friendly
  

What Happens If X Happens?
What if your hideout is surrounded by overwhelming amounts of the undead?
Assuming there are too many to utilize my brick-on-chain contraption, and that there is absolutely zero chance of escape, I would hold up, remain silent, and pray that the hoard outside will get distracted and seek new prey. In the likely event that they don't simply go away, I would wait until the food is exhausted, and then use the remainder of my weapon supplies to take out as many of them as possible, before taking my own life to avoid the pain of starving.

What if you are forced from your house?
Then it looks like we're f*cked. We'll grab what we can and head north in the Crown Vic. North meaning far up north, where the towns are small and spread out. We'll look for an abandoned house or something like that, and hold up. We'll basically make something up as we go along.

What if you get bitten?
I would kill myself, careful to prevent myself from turning into one of the undead. Depending on the situation, I might decide to do one last bit of help for my still-living companions. Grabbing a shotgun or handgun (if , running off into the distance, drawing as many away from my friends as possible, and being sure to save the last bullet for myself seems logical.

What if a companion is bitten?
I would do what is necessary to prevent them from coming back. I would give them every second until they turn, and then bury them in the garden. I will be hit hard by such as loss, and may never fully recover. Should I find myself, by some cruel combination of luck and misfortune, to be alone, having lost all companionship, I would turn the weapon on myself and join them.

What if a military evacuation/convoy of survivors appears on the horizon?
Depends, if it's an evacuation, and can get me somewhere safe (ie. uninfected), then I would immediately jump at the chance to go with them. But if it's just another group of survivors, and going with them would mean trading one hideout for another, I would stay to live and die by my own (not their) choices. But let me reiterate: 100% of all situations, I would evacuate to safe ground (uninfected Europe, say) if possible.

What if the military is seeking out and destroying all 'possible infected', including yourself?
My scrappy band of ragtag misfits will never be any match for trained soldiers. We would hide, and make every effort to avoid contact with the military. If they are razing buildings, or searching through all of them, I would make an effort to make a run for it, understanding that I probably would not survive.

What if the undead appear to be growing more powerful/intelligent?
Then I guess I'd be in trouble. I would continue hiding and fighting and surviving, until either me or them are no more. Intelligence would imply that I would be able to attempt reasoning with them. Increased strength is iffy. Anything short of the dead suddenly gaining the ability to tear down solid concrete, and I think we can manage as usual (barricades and hiding).

What if, during the Panic, a group member refuses to accompany you?
A likely situation will be my brother or father deciding to make a run for it. I will very firm with the following words: "You can [stay here/come with us] where it's safe, or you can take your chances out there alone!" For maximum effect, I'll put considerable strain on 'alone'. If said person still refuses to join us, I'll say, like I don't care, "Fine, you can die out here! Do whatever the hell you want, because you won't last a week out here!" If that doesn't work, it's unfortunate for them, because as much as I'd love for them to be (relatively safe) with me, I'm not going to get everyone else killed trying to force them anywhere.

Going into town and retrieving your best friend sounds unnecessary, risky, and unrealistic. Why not leave her behind, and forgo the extra risk?
I love said best friend more than anything else in the world. I acknowledge the danger.