In order for this scenario to work properly, we're going to assume that you've lost all supplies and are down to the clothes on your back and your primary weapon. This allows us to proceed in order to find provisions for basic needs.

Now that we have a setting established, I can begin the discussion of mall survival and proper scavenging according to Medusa’s hierarchy of needs:

1) Entry

2) Shelter and Security

Speaking from a design standpoint, Shopping malls are built to deter break-ins while providing the highest amount of visibility for the retailers. In a survival setting, this means gates galore. In a mall during closing, one can expect a gate to be shut at every intersection of paths, as well as to almost all stores. Bolt cutters (If the gates are non-electric) or keys (the much more simple item) are necessary to open these pathways. Keys would be in the security office, usually located in the help desk or rest room area of the mall. The gates can be strategically lowered and raised in individual stores and pathways to trap the undead, but beware if using bolt cutters to open the gates, as raiders (or smart zombies) will be able to pull the gates right open. This can also be used as a strategy to raid individual stores.

The safest place to stay in a mall would be the security office, which tends to be at the heart of the mall. However, there are stores within a mall that will suffice. Abercrombie, Hollister, and Levi tend to have large wooden frames as entryways which often seal off like storm shutters. Hot Topic is usually made out of brick, for Pete’s sake, and the narrow entryway can be easily guarded. Try to stay on the outer side of the mall, as the outer shops have back exits, which can provide an easy escape come Zombies/ Aliens/ IrishHitman/what have you. The area needs to be swept clean from one side to the other before the inner stores can be checked. The best way to accomplish this task is with a small group of 3.In order to secure the location, locks need to be checked, the area cleared of Zack, and people need to be routed. Now, there’s plenty of mouths to feed, and we’re in a mall. Whatever will we do?

Refrigerators are in general a very bad thing. They will induce vomiting, and they will host grubs, mold, roaches, and bacterial contaminants. Ergo, fridges are a no-no. However, Dry storage rooms of many storefronts will have more than enough to keep a group fed. Burger buns, the pizza place's flour and water, dried meats, and more await you. If there is anything runescape has taught us, its that people can live off of bread. Gathering the canned items from the taco bell (or whatever else) in the mall and gardening in the mall atriums can supplement this short term diet solution. But beware of mold! Some molds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. And a few molds, in the right conditions, produce "mycotoxins," poisonous substances that can make people sick. When you see mold on food, its best to just run away. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps 300,000 or more, which makes identifying molds a serious pain in the butt. Most are filamentous organisms and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. These spores can be transported by air, water, or insects.Unlike bacteria that are one-celled, molds are made of many cells and can sometimes be seen with the naked eye. Under a microscope, they look like skinny mushrooms. In many molds, the body consists of root threads, a stalk, and sporesThe spores give mold the color you see. When airborne, the spores spread the mold from place to place like dandelion seeds blowing across a meadow.Molds have branches and roots that are like very thin threads. The roots may be difficult to see when the mold is growing on food and may be very deep in the food. Foods that are moldy may also have invisible bacteria growing along with the mold. You only see part of the mold on the surface of food -- gray fur on forgotten bologna, fuzzy green dots on bread, white dust on Cheddar, coin-size velvety circles on fruits, and furry growth on the surface of jellies. When a food shows heavy mold growth, "root" threads have invaded it deeply. In dangerous molds, poisonous substances are often contained in and around these threads. In some cases, toxins may have spread throughout the food.Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain molds found primarily in grain and nut crops, but are also known to be on celery, grape juice, apples, and other produce. These food molds should be avoided at all costs.

All malls will have a basic first aid kit in the security office, complete with aDefibrillator. The batteries in this device can be used for power, or the device can be kept for lifesaving use. The supplies you are likely to encounter in the mall first aid kit would be basic, but pain medications are often present, as well as anti-diarrhea medication.The large department stores in the mall, as well as some smaller stores should have first aid kits within their service desk or back room areas, and a more complete kit can be compiled from these factory-made kits.