For
most of us, this scenario may never happen. But for many people throughout
the world, people in major towns and cities, the unthinkable already
has. A 'level three' outbreak - a full blown zombie infestation. You
have all seen the footage on ZWN and other news organizations. Whole
towns overrun. Even entire cities lost to undead hordes. But what of
those who survive? those who do not, or can not run. We have compiled
the following article to help you to coordinate and focus your efforts
for survival.
This article
is about store raiding, so lets assume you have consolidated your home
base already. Ideally you will need at least four people for an average
operation. 1. to stay at the base and defend it. and 3 to go on the
operation.
1:
Vehicle to take: Box van or large SUV,
Any large
vehicle. SUV would be a minimum requirement. The reasoning being that
you will be going to a lot of trouble and risking your lives to raid
these stores, and once you are in there, you will see all kinds of things
you need. Three people will occupy seating already, so you don't want
a small town car for this. Don't be tempted by pick-up trucks. They
are too easy to climb into. Would you want to be in the back?
2.
Store to raid: Priority one - Gun store, Two - Hardware store, Three
- Supermarket, Four - Pharmacy.
We
won't focus on the gun store too much. It's pretty self explanatory
anyway. Basically, the larger the better. Grab a mixed bag if you can.
Rifles with sites for snipering, shot guns for close quarters, and handguns
for uncomfortably close quarters. Stay away from 9mm or under unless
you are a head shot ace.
So
lets look at the Hardware store. Take into account that
almost all stores will have been heavily looted already. It's human
instinct. For an example, look at the LA riots or New Orleans.
1.
A medium sized hardware store would be best. Not a Home Depot or Lows.
They are vast and assuming the electricity is out, those long dark isles
could be dangerous. Either way, pick your store. Do a reconnaissance.
Drive round the entire building. Note any possible and actual points
of entry (forced or otherwise). Reverse the vehicle so the rear faces
the entry. This ensures a minimum loading time and quick getaway.
2.
One person stays with the vehicle. The others (two minimum) walk the
peripheral isles, ensuring that all isles are secured BEFORE going down
the isle. (See diagram Fig A.)

I
am assuming you will have at least some rudimentary hand weapon with
you. Make sure it's a close quarters one. You may not have much room
to swing it. Handy thing about hardware stores is that they are wide.
This gives an extra advantage in melee situations.
Once
store is deemed secure, it's shopping time.
Rule
one: DON'T get carried away!. I have seen this happen so many times.
People load up with all sorts of junk and then have no room to fit it
in the vehicle.
'Class
A' items to pick out:
Hand tools that can become weapons i.e.
crow bar, small axe, mallets, etc. remember though, if you have to wield
this, make sure you can handle it. You don't want to swing with a heavy
mallet, miss and take valuable seconds trying to haul it upright again.
One often overlooked weapon is a 5' spike found in any gardening section.
It's used for rock breaking. Weighs about 20lb though, so a lot of upper
body strength is needed. The advantage of this weapon is that when you
lunge it at an undead, they will always go down no matter how large
or fat. The shear momentum carries it through the necro's body. But
retrieval may be an issue.
Other items: Generator
and fuel, flashlights, radio (battery powered), gardening gloves (necro's
cannot bite through them), propane and camping stove. (gardening section),
batteries, water and gatorade (there is always a drinks merchandising
display near checkout), extension cords, battery powered hand drill,
reciprocating saw and circular saw, screws (galvanized deck screws,
NOT drywall), two way radios.
'Class
B' items to pick out:
Unless
you have a large truck, don't be tempted to get large sheets of plywood,
they are heavy, and takes up too much space in the vehicle. Try to get
metal fencing. Its strong as hell, and makes a good initial barrier.
(see below.) Downside is, necro's will be able to see inside and consequently
always be aware that you are in there. You can always add wood later
though. Usually
comes in 6' - 8' sheets.
Also,
consider 'concrete mesh' (see below). It comes in rolls so takes up
little room but is easy to install. It is surprisingly
strong. Flexibility adds another advantage.

'Class
C' items to pick out:
Microwave oven, cooking utensils, chain, wire ties (strong and easy
to link fencing with), bleach to wash clothes because infected blood
transfers the virus, buckets for washing clothes and makeshift toilets,
Paint, so that you can paint a roof sign on top of your compound showing
rescuers that you are alive. Remember to continually update the sign
with a recent date, so a helicopter will know the sign is not old and
that you are still alive. DO NOT paint a sign on the walls. Other survivors
will know you are alive and could raid you themselves.
Extra room?
get blow up camp beds, extra clothing.
Get out
ASAP.
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