This all really depends on how the out break starts, how big it is, and where it starts. Because of this I'll give a few beginnings.

First off I live in a two story apartment on South Beach in Miami Florida. The only way off the island is by bridge and there are five of them to choose from.

1st Steps:

Massive outbreak:
Secure my apartment as best I can. First I will go out into the hall and drill into the walls around my door frame. Then I will run bolts through the holes and secure them with nuts. Next, I will shut the door and precut pieces of Steel square stock (square tubing) will be slipped on to the bolts and secured. This should keep the door from collapsing under the weight of pounding fists. I also have precut pieces of square stock that will be screwed to my floor with 3/8 X 3 inch bolts. This should keep the door from swinging in allowing anyone or anything in. I have two doors to secure and this procedure should take about 5-10 minutes per door. Plenty of time before a zombie or anyone will decide to come for me. As I'm on the second story I don't have to worry about the windows. Then I call the family and tell them to meet at my mothers house, get on my stepfathers boat and head out for a location predetermined by myself. I will then gather all my gear and start on my way to a city south of them. When I reach this city I will check the local marinas for boats available or even a jet-ski. Then head up the coast to meet up with them, stopping at other marinas along the way for gas and other goods. I will watch all marinas from a distance to ensure safety before approaching.

All other outbreaks:
Call family and warn them, instruct them to meet at mothers, watch and listen to the news, and be prepared to get on the boat. Then I would get dressed, grab my pack and my pistol and head out on the streets to gather what ever extra gear I would need. After gathering all good I could I would load up my Jeep with ALL my gear and goods and make way for home (3 hours away by car). I'm already expecting the roads to be closed from accidents or check points. At that point I would exit the vehicle and hike the rest of the way following the highways until I see a need to go off into the surrounding woods/ swamp. Every few minutes I would stop and asses the situation and look ahead with the monocular or rifle scope. At night since I'm by my self I will take to the trees or any other high ground, keeping away from buildings unless it was my only option.

Once with my family (4 adults 1 child), we would asses the total situation... outbreak level, government and local response, and areas effected. Once this information is gathered a logical safe position can be chosen from predetermined locations. Note for everyone out there. Have back up plans and locations....and backups for the backups. Don't obligate your self to only one route and only one location. Be prepared to deviate from any plan at a moments notice. Adaptability is the key.


Grouping:
I would like to find other level headed calm people along the way. The more people in your community the better your chances for survival... and also demise. I would like a total number of around 20-30 people, maybe more later. While on the move we would be broken up into squads. Non too far from the other in case assistance is needed. A small scouting party would lead the way keeping coms (communications) via two-way radios to alert the majority of dangers ahead. At night we would gather to avoid friendly fire if fire is called for, and establish a watch schedule. I prefer to keep children to a minimum for a number of reasons but not because i don't like them. They are loud, impatient, have more needs, require special attention, are prone to injury, and cause emotion. Emotion drives people to make stupid decisions and to risk their life and the lives of others. That being said I do love kids and want to have my own in the future.


"Safe" Locations:

Once at any location, an escape and contingency plan will be made.

Ok, despite everyone's argument against oil platforms or rigs. These are relatively safe places. They are stocked with enough food to last at least a month. Were designed to withstand hurricanes and rough weather, have fuel tanks and fuel for the generators, typical have only one dock where a boat could moor, and also have means of communication. Along with this they are self reliant, meaning they have tools, welders and a small machine shop. Being a military mechanic I have welding experience and can do a good job. If this location was decided upon I would be-able to remove any ladders leading to the top of the platform. I could also weld any doors shut that I needed. Most of the platforms in the area are in close proximity to each other, and there are many out there. This means that If we can get to one soon enough we could "raid" the other platforms for food and necessities. We would not raid any platform that was already occupied. We want our neighbors on our side. They are also not too far from land. My self and another male would make trips to the shore to gather soil and other goods if found. With this soil we could start a garden and grow some vegetables. This location could serve as a base for the next couple months, at which time we would we would make the decision to stay or move to another location.

The mountain option. If chosen, my family would be heavily dependent on me. Not good. We would have to make our way from South Florida to another predetermined location. This journey would take roughly between 100 - 130 days if you averaged 2 miles an hour 12 hours a day. That's a long time in enemy territory... and not just the zombie's. This safe point is in a hard to reach location and has steep elevation all around. Only a small trail leads there and that could easily be destroyed, making it near impossible for a mindless clumsy zombie to make it. There is always the chance that they could so a watch schedule would be established. Once at the location, we would have to establish a camp, scout the area. We would then build that camp into a stronghold and means of support, which would be no problem. This area is wooded and freshwater is nearby. Hunting is decent in this area and farming is possible. The meat gathered though would have to be smoked or salted to last through the winter. Snow would be gathered in a make shift water tank and stowed for the summer where it would melt and provide water for cooking, bathing and the garden if needed. Drinking water will be separate and processed before consummation. There are also small cities within a 3-4 day hike from this location. This means that a scouting party could go and scavenge for anything usable. Trashcans, sheet metal, lumber, hardware (nails, bolts, etc.), and almost anything you can think of is usable in this situation. This location has mild summers (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold winters.

more locations to come...

Please let me know what you think about this plan. The more input I get the better I can make it.

Prized Scavenge-able Items:
Food.
Water.
Fuel.
Solar panels from homes or businesses.
Ammunition. Looking for .40, 6.8mm, .308 or .223 specifically, but will take anything.
Firearms. Looking for arms that use .40, 6.8mm, .308 or .223, but will also take anything.
Cloth/ clothing.
Building materials (wire, lumber, hardware, steel, etc.)
Any type of containers.
Pumps.
Motors.
Engines.