Teenage SurvivalThis is a featured page

Teenage Survival - Zombie Survival & Defense WikiYou want to survive the zombie apocalypse, but your biggest impediment is yourself, because you're still a minor. You can't drive, you can't buy firearms or ammunition (or in many places, even spray paint), and you probably don't have a job, which means you can't really buy anything because you have no income. You do, in fact, rely quite heavily on your guardians for survival, even before the crap hits the fan. Yet for some reason, many teenagers that create plans at the Zombie Survival and Defense Wiki are intent on cutting this, possibly their only lifeline at the first chance they get. But why?

Let's look at this parent-child relationship realistically for a few moments. Believe it or not, your parents are probably smarter than you. Most have graduated high school, and many have college educations, as well as years of additional life experience. On top of that, they will possess valuable skills that you don't. They can cook, sew, repair/swap an engine, and possess other valuable (and seemingly invaluable) skills that help get them through their daily lives. Even in the unlikely scenario that they are completely unskilled in everything, they are at the very least an extra pair of eyes and hands. In addition to all of this, it is generally understood that when disaster strikes people cling to what they find familiar. For children, that includes their parents. Leaving them will be the last thing on your mind.

Additionally, parents almost always have much better resources than children do. They do own some form of transportation, they do know where all of the important family records are, they likely know more about your own medical background and conditions than you do, they have objects than can be used in barter and trade situations and they most undoubtedly have better communication skills than the average teenager. Parents are more inclined to successfully procure necessary items because rather than steal them, they will attempt to negotiate a trade or just outright purchase what is needed - that shotgun and shells you always wanted? Mommy just traded the old family sedan for it. Now you don't have to risk your ass trying to "scavenge" (also known as "looting," an offense many people die attempting) for one.

Now that you've made peace with the fact that you will be staying with your family during an emergency, you need to start getting them ready.

Obviously you can't just approach your parents and frankly state, "We need a zombie plan." Few adults will react well to that, and it may just land you in one of those wards with the padded walls and straight jackets. Start with something along the lines of, "I've been watching the news and I think we need a disaster plan, just in case," or "I think we should be prepared in case of [insert most plausible disaster]."

The disaster you name will depend on your area. Some possibilities are: hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, floods, riots, or even less dangerous events such as power cuts and heavy snow.

So what can you suggest to ensure they take your ideas seriously?

  • Use reputable/government websites. Show them information from reputable websites like Ready.gov and Redcross.org
  • Start small. Buying a few extra groceries each week is the kind of first step that will make sense. An extra bag of pasta or rice, a few more cans of soup or canned tuna/chicken/salmon. Nothing expensive or out of the ordinary, and these reserves will add up quickly.
  • Find information on first aid courses, self defense, or anything that you might find useful for your area. If your parents see that you've actually done some research, they'll know you're serious, and will take your requests more seriously.
  • Don't push too hard. State your case calmly, neutrally and maturely. If you meet with resistance, DON'T argue. Drop the subject, work out how to solve their problem, and go back in a week or so.
  • Guns. It is stated below, if your parents are anti-gun, don't bring this up, if you do, tread carefully. If your parents have just never thought about firearms, bring up shooting sports and ask about buying some sort of air gun (Pellet, BB, preferably not airsoft) nothing fancy, it will show them you are safe and responsible with a gun (Make sure you follow standard firearm safety) and after a few months to a year ask for a .22 rifle (Make sure you mention you will pay, or ask as a gift) and show them you are safe with that, then upgrade to a shotgun or even a .22 pistol. Then maybe they will get into the shooting sports themselves, and maybe you will have your own little “Armoury” eventually.
What topics should you avoid?

  • Zombies. Stick to realistic disasters, otherwise your concerns will be dismissed as immaturity or mental instability.
  • Guns (if your home doesn't already have any). Opinions on them are quite polarized, so if they aren't there, it's probably for a reason. There are lots of considerations when adding firearms to a home for the first time - better leave this up to your parents' judgment for the time being.

Few people prepare for bad times during the good ones. While money might be tight, and jobs might be scarce, this is the time when people are going to be open to the idea that things getting worse is a real possibility.

Note:
Many teenagers think their school will make a good "fortress." Visit this page to learn why that probably isn't true.
Learn why "School Will Kill You" in the linked article in orange, to the left.


Sharpie41
Sharpie41
Latest page update: made by Sharpie41 , Oct 9 2011, 2:38 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Sharpie41 Edited by Sharpie41

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Keyword tags: teenage survival
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awdrenn Post Z-Day Schooling (page: 1 2) 37 Sep 9 2011, 3:23 PM EDT by SGTGerman
Thread started: Sep 13 2010, 3:38 AM EDT  Watch
What do you think it should cover. I mean besides the Z-Survival basics. Do you think traditional education would have any merit and to what grade level?
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IBeforeOthers Teens and Weapons. (page: 1 2) 23 Sep 8 2011, 8:45 PM EDT by IBeforeOthers
Thread started: Sep 6 2011, 3:14 PM EDT  Watch
Saw the other thread but that kid was an idiot.

So, the problem for all of us under 18 is most of the time weapons. For those of us who have parents who are ex-military or live in the country, this isn't as much of an issue. Getting access to tools and such are easier and the odd firearm or two if your parents will allow you.

But for those who can't get a hold of these items, what can you get to protect yourself? Well there's a few answers. You can either A) Make your own. B) Buy tools that don't require a certain age. or C) IMPROVISE.

A) Make your own. As a teen who enjoys making their own weapons, I find if you know what you're doing, it can be a lot more helpful to those who can't purchase true weapons. At first it can be hard starting out but with enough time spent trying ideas and reading what others have made, you start to realize how pretty much anything can be turned into a suitable weapon. I for one am a fan of JB Weld and Electric Tape. IF you have an idea of what metal you're dealing with JB Weld can make somewhat of a "weld" holding two or more pieces of metal together to a rather decent result. It is mostly meant for iron or steel but the occasional off metal can be somewhat "welded". Also, electric tape can be used to hold together two objects, metal or otherwise, or hold an object inside another.

B) Buying tools in which don't require a set age. To name a few, these are tools which can either be modified or used as is to be effective as a weapon:
-Crowbar. In most places you can buy one no questions asked and, with a good amount of practice, it can be a decent bludgeon weapon.
-Nail bat. It's a bat with nails in it. Nothing illegal about buying a baseball bat and nails. Just don't do it at the same time or you may get some odd looks.


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steamlen Child soldiers? (page: 1 2 3 4 5 ... last page) 193 Sep 8 2011, 8:29 PM EDT by SFShadowWraith
Thread started: Jul 27 2010, 3:21 AM EDT  Watch
What are your opinions on this post Z-day?
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