Zombie Fighting Tactics - Selecting Terrain

Zombies only have one tactic. They mob their targets.  If they can see you, hear you, or smell you, they will advance on you.  All Zombies that sense you will shuffle directly towards your group in order to satisfy a primal hunger.

ZombieWalk photo by tangi bertin from Rennes, France (La HORDE progresse  Uploaded by paris 17) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you are going to fight Zombies, it's best to fight on ground of your own choosing.  If you want to prevail, make the Zombies cross difficult terrain.  If you put a steep ravine between you and them, many may fall and break legs, ankles, or hips.  If you put a swift flowing river between you and zombies, many may be swept downstream when they attempt to cross.  Zombies will fall into pits, impale themselves, and damage themselves in an attempt to get to you and eat you.  You also want to channel zombies into approaching from directions where you can hit them, but they can't easily hit you.  As in all warfare, the high ground provides defenders with an advantage.  For example, clumsy Zombies might have trouble navigating the steep rocky slope of Little Round Top at the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park.

The Steep Rocky Terrain of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Little Round Top photo by Jan Kronsell, July 2002 {{GFDL-self}}

Since Zombies will damage themselves trying to get at a food source, it just makes great tactical sense to put damaging obstacles between you and the Zombies.

Anti-Zombie Weapon Review: SOG FastHawk Tomahawk

You may need to get yourself a tomahawk for serious zombie fights.  Here's why:  if Zombies ever do come your way, they may get up close and personal.  They'll want to sink their gnarly rotten teeth into you and rip your bowels out with their bony fingers.  You can shoot them, but the noise will only attract more.  In a big city, most civilians will run out of ammunition before they run out of zombies in a shoot out.  That's why you need a close combat weapon like a tomahawk.


My personal choice for a tomahawk was the SOG FastHawk.  It's made by SOG Specialty Knives & Tools.  It's a small, fast, little tomahawk with a 2-inch blade with a spike.  It's a lethal little tool.  The spike looks like it could easily penetrate a zombie skull and the blade could do some serious damage.  For weapons geeks, the blade and spike are made out of 420 RC 51/53 blade steel.

This is a good time to pause and note something very important:

A TOMAHAWK IS NOT A TOY!  DO NOT "PLAY" WITH IT!

A mistake or accident with a tomahawk can kill or seriously maim someone. You can injure yourself with the blade on the front swing and with the spike on the back swing. If you are looking for a tomahawk for mock combat or training purposes, this is NOT it. You'll need to look for specialized  training weapons made from rubber or foam.

A dry season nose bleed makes for a scary photo opportunity with the SOG FastHawk

At 19 ounces and 12 1/2 inches long, the SOG FastHawk (F06TN-CP) is about the size of a hammer.  It has a glass reinforced nylon handle and a nylon carry sheath for your belt.  It weighs about 19 ounces.  By comparison, a typical Stanley nailing hammer weighs 16 ounces and is 13.3 inches long.  At this small size and weight, the SOG FastHawk will let you land multiple blows against an adversary in quick succession.

If this tomahawk breaks while you are knee deep in zombies, it will be small comfort to know that your FastHawk is covered by a lifetime warranty.  Since it seems pretty sturdy, I don't that you'll need the warranty anyway.

If you scour the internet, you'll find people using the SOG FastHawk for all kinds of macho camping adventures.  However, I used it to beat the crap out of some cardboard boxes.  It made short work of them.  Both the blade and the spike penetrate thick cardboard with no problem.  I'm pretty sure the SOG FastHawk will work on zombies, too.  Overall, it is a great deal for less than $30.

Creating a First Aid Kit for Your Car

It's common knowledge that every family should have a first aid kit.  But, few people realize that every family should actually have more than one.  When thinking about the threats that we actually face on any given day, I realized that the most immediate threats we face are encountered outside the home.  Outside the home, we face the threat of being injured in a motor vehicle accident or due to criminal assault.  We can be more prepared for these threats by having a first aid kit with us in our vehicle.  That's why I put together a first aid kit for our car.

Foundation for a First Aid Kit

My local Rite Aid drugstore had a special where you could get a free first aid bag simply by buying three Band Aid brand first aid products.  The empty bag served as my foundation.  However, it quickly grew.

Minor Wound Care

First, I added to it a large number of Band Aid brand bandages and some Neosporin that we bought.  The bandaids were part of the purchases I needed to make in order to get the bag for "free."  The cleansing wipes were from an earlier small first aid kit.  These items seem like a good start for handling minor cuts and lacerations.

 

I added some un-opened anti-itch cream that I had on hand, a rolled gauze bandage, and I picked up a pair of new tweezers from Dollar Tree.

Stop the Bleeding- Tourniquettes

Perhaps the most important thing that I added to my first aid kit was a pair of tourniquettes.  These TF Essentials tourniquettes were available on Amazon.  

Whether it's a Zombie apocalypse, a high speed crash, or a workplace shooting, some disasters can cause a lot of bleeding.  A tourniquette can help stop that bleed until first responders can take over.  The drawback to tourniquettes is that if left on for an extended period of time (say a couple of hours), the patient might end up losing their limb.

Stop the Bleeding-Bandages & Pads

To stop less severe bleeding, there is always direct pressure.  So I threw in some non-adherent pads to help with other cuts and lacerations.

Medications for Pain & Minor Medical Issues

Finally, not every first aid kit situation is life threatening.  I added some medications that will help with headaches, sprains, allergic reactions, upset stomachs, and diarrhea.  I chose brand name medications from the Dollar Tree for these situations.  I trust Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Imodium, and Pepto-bismal.

Hopefully, the most explosive situation that I'll need to deal with will be overindulgence in Mexican food.  But, I'll be ready.

Next Steps in the Evolution of My First Aid Kit

I'm not completely done with my first aid kit.  I'll plan to add some additional items.  So far, I plan to add the following:

• Disposable Nitrile Exam Gloves
• Small Scissors
• Small First Aid Handbook

Zombie Defense: Waiting for Z Pizza

I'm waiting for a last minute pizza at Your Pie--one of my favorite brick oven pizza joints.  It's calm now, most of the customers are gone, and the place is just about to close.  Since I have a few minutes until my order is ready, I can't help but wonder what would happen if Zombies showed up at the door.

What if Zombies lurked outside?

If Zombies did show up, we'd have to barricade ourselves in.  There are plenty of stout wooden tables that we could use as barricades.  They might slow Zombies down a bit.  Plus there are hand rails to guide the crowds into an orderly line up to the counter.   The rails are all made of big heavy metal pipes.  If you could take the rails apart, the pipes themselves would be awesome weapons. But, if the Zombies were here, now, there wouldn't be much time for that.  Instead, we'd have to retreat and look for other protection.

The Brick Oven at my local Your Pie pizza joint

The middle of the restaurant is where they make the pizza.  The huge brick oven has huge oar-like wood and metal spatulas hanging off to the side side.  They would make fearsome pole arms if the staff was forced to make a last stand.  

Pizza Parlor Pole Arms?

The service counters are also protected by thick plexi-glass breath shields that help protect all the fresh ingredients from infectious customers.  I wonder if the staff would let me back there.  They wouldn't sacrifice me to the Zombie horde would they?  I've been a good customer.

Can You Help Others During A Zombie Apocalypse?

One of the big practical and philosophical questions raised in shows like The Walking Dead and Fear of the Walking Dead is -

Can you / should you help other people during a Zombie Apocalypse?

 

Zombie Photo By Scott Simmons [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

In a world where energy and supplies are scarce and risk of Zombie exposure is high, it's a very tough question.  I think a survivor has an obligation to save life when it is immediately threatened.  There is no question that you should kill a Zombie that is just about to bite one of the living.  However, sharing limited supplies is an entirely different matter.

The supplies that you and your group have gathered are precious and should be used to preserve your own.  Group supplies should only be given when some return on investment is expected.

Everyone Contributes After A Zombie Apocalypse

The old van bumper sticker of the 1970s is germaine to this discussion.  "Gas, Grass, or Ass,"  it read.  "Nobody rides for free."  During a Zombie Apocalypse no one rides for free either.  If a survivor group shares supplies, then the recipient is expected to contribute to the group in some way.

In exchange for help, a recipient should be able to contribute by fighting Zombies, growing food, building fortifications, assisting the wounded, or providing other goods and services.

If you have extra supplies, you can use them shrewdly to build your own power, prestige, influence, and safety.  This is probably how warlords and new civilizations get started.

Planning to Evacuate- Lessons Learned from Hurricane Matthew

When the Zombies or another hurricane comes your way, you may need to evacuate with your loved ones.  Evacuating millions of people is not an easy task for governments or individual evacuees.  Here are a few things that my family learned from evacuating for Hurricane Matthew.

Hurricane Matthew

1.  Evacuate as soon as possible.  If you think you will need to evacuate, don't wait.  If you hit the road before most people, you'll avoid at least some of the heaviest traffic.

2.  Make hotel reservations immediately.  If you think you're going to be evacuating, you'll need to make a hotel reservation right away.  During the Hurricane Matthew evacuation, every hotel that was connected to internet reservation systems completely booked up.  My parents found that all hotels in Georgia off of I-75 and all hotels in Florida off of I-10 were completely booked.  That left only a few non-chain independent hotels and motels with vacancies.

A Motel 6 in Valdosta, GA photo by Michael Rivera (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

3.  Have a list of evacuation locations in mind.  When you visit other parts of the state, note potential evacuation destinations (fish camps, non-branded mom & pop motels, campgrounds, etc.).  I remembered a few independent motels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, and fish camps that were off the beaten path in the Florida panhandle.  I was able to work the phone and find them an undisclosed secure location.

4. Gas Up Early.  A full tank of gas makes it easy to bug out.  Gas started to get scarce in North Florida just before the evacuation.  Many evacuees lost valuable time waiting in gas lines.  During hurricane season, staying gassed up is a good idea.

Gas Lines in Summit, N.J., after Hurricane Sandy - photo by Tomwsulcer (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

5.  Pre-cut plywood speeds the process of boarding up.  When my parents returned to Florida, they made sure that they had plywood pre-cut to fit their windows.  They also had anchors drilled into the bricks around the windows and screws set aside.  All of these preps made boarding up a far faster process.

6.  Bring food, water, and snacks for the road.  Traffic often moves slowly during an evacuation.  You'll want to keep moving and minimize pit stops.

7.  Evacuate, but don't believe the hype.  The Weather Channel and other media outlets led everyone to believe that 8 to 10 foot flood surges might obliterate coastal property.  But, in Florida, that prediction didn't come through.  So, keep a positive attitude until you can confirm the damage yourself!

Zombie Fighting Tactics - Mission Planning

If there is ever a Zombie apocalypse, you don't want to be wandering about aimlessly.  Instead, you should consider any excursion outside of your defenses to be a mission.  Each mission should be rigorously planned ahead of time.

US Military, Turkish Military, and Civilian Contractors plan the movement of earthquake relief supplies - Photo By: Cpl. Jimmie Perkins, U.S. Marine Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On TV, characters usually just get their gear together and roll out.  If your life is at stake, you'll want to be far more careful.  The Army plans small unit missions by asking officers to consider the mission, the enemy, the troops, the terrain, and the time available (METTT).  You can too.

Mission - Why are you going?  What do you expect to achieve?  You need concrete objectives to ensure that there is a well thought out reason for going.

Enemy - Will you be facing zombies or humans or both?  What are the capabilities of the enemy?  How many are there?  How fast can they move?  What kind of weapons do they have?  What is their morale like?  What are their strengths and weaknesses?

Group of Zombies from film - Meat Market 3 - Photo by Joel Friesen [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 Troops - In The Walking Dead terms:  Do you have five Daryl's and a Mishone or a bunch of scared Alexandria citizens?  You have to honestly assess the condition of your group.  What weapons do you have?  How much ammunition is available?  Are you healthy or wounded?  How fast can you move?  How skilled is your team in moving and fighting?

The Pope's Swiss Guards Could Kick Zombie Ass - photo by Kremlin.ru [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) or CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Terrain - Where can you hide?  Where can the enemy hide?  What areas will have the most Zombies?  Where will humans lie in ambush?  What's the best route to your objective?

A Sand Table Used By the Afghan Army to plan route clearance missions - photo By Sgt Bryan Peterson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Time Available - If you need to get medical supplies for a seriously injured family member, you will be operating faster and more urgently.  If this excursion is just to bolster an already bulging supply cabinet, you can move more slowly and more deliberately.


No one is going to transform your family of survivors into a hardened military unit.  But, you can stop, think, and plan before you take action that might have life altering consequences.

Zombie Apocalypse Weapons - Spears, Pikes, Halberds, and other Pole Arms

If you have to reach out and touch a Zombie, it's best to touch a Zombie from a distance.  Unfortunately, guns make noise and attract more Zombies.  Bows and crossbows can be unwieldy in close quarters and hard to reload quickly.  For close quarters fighting against Zombies, bats, hatchets, axes, machetes, and knives are the typical weapons used by survivors.  However, if you had a choice wouldn't it be better to kill a Zombie from a little more of a distance?  When it comes to killing Zombies, you might want to get medieval. 

Castle of Nideggen, exhibits in keep (pole arms, including halbred, voulge and pollaxe).  Photo By Sir Gawain (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

In ancient and medieval times, soldiers used spears, pikes, lances, and other pole arms.  These were intended to allow soldiers to jab enemies from behind a wall of shields or to reach up and engage mounted horsemen.  They typically had spear points that could pierce through armor.  Some weapons such as a halberd had a spike and an axe built in.  Both of these features would be outstanding against Zombies.



When it comes to Zombie killing, a spike or spearhead could penetrate a skull or a spinal cord.  A pole axe might be able to remove a head.  Since Zombies don't feel pain and aren't intimidated by martial displays, they may well impale themselves on a spear or pike.

Unfortunately, when the Zombie apocalypse starts, most people won't have a spear or a halberd laying around.  However, if you are really getting ready, you could be the first in your neighborhood to own a pole arm.  I think the most practical modern pole arm would be the Cold Steel Boar Spear.  But, there are plenty of halberds available on Amazon. In a pinch and with some access to metal working tools a shovel could also be converted into a fearsome anti-zombie weapon.

Physical Fitness, Sheltering in Place, and the Zombie Apocalypse

When the Zombies come, some experts believe that physical fitness will be key to escape and survival.  When states were ranked on their ability to survive a Zombie Apocalypse, states that had more participation in fitness activities were ranked higher than states with couch potatoes.  If you are at school, work, or Walmart, when Zombies show up, you'll need to be quick on your feet.

However, one alternative way to survive a Zombie apocalypse is to not go out of your house and fight with zombies.  If you have enough food, chips, soda, and reading material stockpiled, you might be able to shelter in place.  Typically sheltering in place is a recommendation by authorities when their is a chemical or biological pollutant that has been released into the atmosphere and it's dangerous to go outside.  Here is an American Red Cross data sheet on how to shelter in place.  In case of Zombies, staying inside probably beats running outside and fighting with them.  If you've got the necessary supplies, you could just barricade yourself in and sit the whole Zombie apocalypse out.  Of course, you'll need water.  According to ready.gov, a person needs 3/4 of a gallon of water per day for drinking and another 1/4 gallon for sanitation.  More is needed in hot climates.  If Zombies are wandering animated corpses in various stages of decomposition, it stands to reason that the Zombie threat will simply bio-degrade eventually.

Of course, high cholesterol and hardened arteries might be a bigger threat than zombies.  So, it would be prudent to be fit.  Start slow and increase your physical activity.  In the event of a catastrophe, the ability to run, jog, or even walk a few miles would be reassuring.

The Zombie Apocalypse Will Be Hard On The Knees

War isn't easy on the knees.  The rigors of vigorous physical training, heavy body armor and packs, and long hours on the march take a toll on the bodies of soldiers.  According to this Stars & Stripes article, many soldiers end up developing degenerative arthritis at a young age. Between 1998 and 2008, military doctors diagnosed over 100,000 cases of the disease.  Overall soldiers were 26% more likely than the general population to develop the incurable disease.  It's just one of the many ways that our soldiers develop injuries and health problems that most of us don't even think about.


Here's the thing:  degenerative arthritis is a disease affected soldiers who were in peak physical condition.  If the Zombie Apocalypse ever happens, it will be even harder on the knees of all us overweight computer nerds who sit around reading about Zombies on the internet. That would be us!  We're going to need some knee protection and some techniques to avoid knee injury.

Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs Trooper - By Vitaly V. Kuzmin (http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/494) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Research by the military in the United Kingdom has found that military recruits who follow a strict regimen of leg stretches and exercises to strengthen the knee can avoid many common knee injuries.  This article by a former Navy SEAL provides some good stretches to help avoid knee injuries.

If you are preparing for a Zombie Apocalypse or the end of the world as we know it, you might want to get some tactical knee pads.  A Zombie Apocalypse is bound to hurt!

9/11 and the Zombie Apocalypse

This site is only about preparing to survive a Zombie Apocalypse.  It's about fighting for humanity and going toe-to-toe with animated death.  It's about dealing with an cold, inhuman, unthinking foe who wants to kill us, eliminate us, consume us, and convert us into their own mindless form of "life."

North Face of the World Trade Center South Tower on 9/11 - By Robert on Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Thinking about how we could face down such a foe, prevail, and restore our way of life is an interesting exercise.  Perhaps the thinking and the preparation, will also prepare us to face any future disaster or challenge that comes our way.  The fight against Zombies isn't handled by the government or the military.  The fight against Zombies is handled by the American people with each family and each community refusing to die, rallying against the dead, facing them down, and putting them permanently in the grave.

The Pentagon after 9/11 Attack, Photo By USMC Archives from Quantico, USA [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Zombie Apocalypse is a fictional reminder that we, the people, are the militia.  Ultimately, we are responsible for defending ourselves, our families, our communities, our countries, and our cultures.  The Zombie Apocalypse is something fictional and entertaining to think about.  However, every so often there comes a day that reminds us that not every apocalypse is fictional.  On the morning of September 11, 2001, we weren't thinking about the end of the world. But, then a band of Islamic hijackers took over four airliners.  They crashed three of those airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  The fourth airliner crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers stood up, looked death in the face, and prevented another suicidal crash.  The fourth airliner was destined for the U.S. Capitol.  It was an attempt to decapitate our nation's government.



As we prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse, we accumulate water, food, firearms, ammunition, knives, sharp pointy sticks, first aid supplies, and other survival equipment.  If the Zombie Apocalypse ever comes, we'll be ready.  But, don't think we have forgotten about 9/11.  We remember who funded the 9/11 hijackings and where the hijackers came from.  We remember who danced in the streets and we remember where.  We won't ever forget about 9/11.  It wasn't a tragedy or an accident.  9/11 was a deliberate attack.  We won't fall for false conspiracy theories about 9/11.  We know where the conspiracy was hatched and by whom.  It's been 15 years now, but we won't ever forget.  If some mindless death cult attacks us again, we'll all be a little more ready.



Ironically, the government that the terrorists tried to destroy moderates public anger about 9/11.  It reminds us not to discriminate.  It exhorts us not to hate.  It shields us from the 28-pages of the 9/11 commission report that point a finger at a foreign government.  Perhaps such moderation is proper in a world where we as a nation have nuclear weapons at our finger tips.  Those are big issues to ponder.  But, this site is just about preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse.  There's nothing to see here.  Move along.  Remember the victims of 9/11.  Remember the soldiers who have died in the wars spawned by 9/11.

Be Sad.  Be Angry.  Be Ready!

Zombie Apocalypse Food - Chef Boyardee

If the Zombies come to town, you'll want to have some canned food on hand.  While we've grown accustomed to fancy Food Network chefs,  when the Zombies come, I highly recommend eating anything by Chef Boyardee. 

The Ultimate Zombie Survival Food - Chef Boyardee

A can of Chef Boyardee ravioli can be eaten hot or cold.  It has a convenient pop top lid for life on the run.  It only costs a dollar a can at Dollar Tree.  Best of all, the best by date indicates a shelf life of at least two years.  If you are prepping on a budget, you can't go wrong by throwing a couple of extra cans in your shopping basket on a regular basis.  Doing a little bit at a time is the poor man's way of prepping.

In the long term, you and your loved ones probably won't want to eat Chef Boyardee each and every day.  By day 47, you might want something else!  That's why you may want to stockpile emergency food now.  Several companies offer freeze dried and dehydrated meals that are suitable for long term storage.  For example, the Wise Company offers a 52-serving package of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with an up to 25 year shelf life.

How Big of A Threat Are Zombies?

This blog is about Zombies and how to fight them.  But, you should carefully consider all the threats that might realistically visit your home and family.  Make a list of them.  Are you in a hurricane zone?  Are you near a major earthquake fault line?  Is your neck of the woods a tornado alley?  Are your neighbors likely to riot if they don't like a jury verdict?

You have to think through all the threats you might face and rank them.  For most of us, Zombies are actually fairly far down on the list.  For realistic preppers, Zombies are a metaphor for other threats like large scale civil unrest, the break down of civil authority, and contagious disease.  While Zombies might not make your list of threats, these other unpredictable threats might.

Photo by Joe Mabel [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

As you prepare for a Zombie apocalypse, you'll find yourself ready to handle all manner of other catastrophes.  For example, the weapons you have can help repel home invaders or looters.  The food and water stockpiles can help you in the aftermath of a hurricane, earthquake, flood, or tornado.  The batteries you have for your radios can help you stay informed when the power is out.  The first aid kit you bought can help you handle the cuts and scrapes that come with a tornado strike.


You Can't Prep for Everything is an interesting article on RealWorldSurvivor.com on how to think through the threats that you might realistically face and focus your prepping efforts.

How Does A Zombie Virus or Infection Spread?

Survivors worry about how the Zombie contagion spreads.  It's only natural.  In the event of a real zombie apocalypse, it will be the number one question on almost everyone's mind.  Those who aren't thinking about it will be shuffling in our direction with primitive thoughts of how tasty the rest of us will be.  Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer.

No one knows how a real Zombie contagion might spread!

In fiction, Zombie virus or bacteria usually spreads through a bite.  This implies that the primary vector for Zombie infection is saliva.  But, in a real world Zombie apocalypse, the methods of transmission may vary or be altogether than genre fiction depicts.  Information passed along by authorities may be contradictory or completely wrong.

What does this mean for you as a prepper?  Maybe means yes.  For safety sake, you have to assume that Zombie virus can be spread by bites, scratches, drool, blood spatter, intimate contact, and possibly even Zombie breath.

How Do You Protect Yourself Against Zombie Virus or Zombie Infection?

The uncertainty over how the Zombie contagion spreads means that survivors should take extra precautions.  This means engaging Zombies from stand off distances (with a rifle or crossbow instead of a knife) and wearing protective gear for close encounters of the Zombie kind.  It's highly likely that government soldiers would engage Zombies while wearing heavy duty protective gear designed to offer protection from chemical and biological weapons.

US Military Photo By Spc. Randis Monroe (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1507820) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

As civilians, we might not have access to military grade chemical warfare gear.  The surplus gear that is available may be old, moldy, out-dated, or in need of unavailable filters.  A better alternative would probably be to procure modern face shield and respirator used by painters and mold remediation experts.  This will allow you to easily find replacement filters. 



If you simply want to keep spatter and zombie fingers out of your face, a riot helmet or motorcycle helmet might also be a good choice.  You will also want to wear gloves.  If you are concerned about pathogens touching your skin, you'll probably want some serious industrial PVC coated gloves. You'll also want to protect yourself by wearing a thick jeans, a water resistant jacket, and fully enclosed boots.  Unlike the survivors depicted in so many Zombie films and television shows, you'll actually want to decontaminate your gear and clothing on a regular basis.  You'll want to wash too!

How will the Medical Establishment Treat Zombies?

In a large-scale Zombie virus break out,  I believe that we can expect political leaders and medical authorities to display great hubris.  Our medical establishments will believe that they can successfully detain, treat, and cure Zombies.  Back in August of 2014, medical and political leaders decided to treat American ebola victims here in the United States.   They did not take the victims to a remote location or military base for treatment.  Instead, they brought the victims right into the heart of Atlanta, a city of 5 million+ people. 

Emory University Hospital - Photo By Emory University [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

I took this picture of the ABC News report on an ebola victim being brought into the hospital.  Notice that they brought the patient right into hospital and in the process walked the stretcher right by an unprotected bystander.  Notice the man in tan and black standing in the center of the screen just to the right of the last worker in a hazmat suit.  (Find the i in Diane Sawyer and look 2/3 of the way up the screen.)

The medical professionals at Emory University Hospital thought that they knew everything about ebola, communicable diseases, and how to transfer a patient from ambulance into the medical facility.  They did learn alot as outlined in this article. Fortunately, everything worked out.  However, if the same level of hubris was displayed during an actual Zombie infection, it might not work out as well.  In addition, the sheer scale of a Zombie apocalypse would overwhelm medical facilities and the available security guards.