Guest post contributed by Lauren Atkinson, on behalf of Wish.co.uk providers of experience days out, such as the zombie gift day out.

Even though America arguably has the best military in the world, it can’t possibly take on a worldwide zombie attack by itself. This is because, while zombies move slow, they can infect the world in an exponential fashion. It won’t just be an American affair.

Should you be worried? Yes. Germany has a long and rich history of harboring mad scientists. Russia is also a great place for mad scientists to unleash hell on Earth. These scientists may one day come up with a virus that will kick off the zombie apocalypse When that happens, the undead will spread quickly. There might be a world-wide military response, but that doesn’t mean that you should stand idly by and wait for them to protect you. For one thing, zombies can infect both soldiers and civilians so there might be a shortage of troops in your area to protect you.

Here’s where the Zombie Response Team (ZRT) becomes important. A worldwide network of individuals has already formed in response to the oncoming storm. The base of operations is in San Antonio, Texas. The response team not only helps you train for the apocalypse, but they also provide you with important information about zombies and how to fight them. Here’s how you can become part of the growing network of international zombie hunters:

Step 1 – Learn As Much As You Can About Zombies

Most people make out during zombie movies (or play Mystery Science Theater), so it’s a good idea to at least re-familiarize yourself with the basics: zombies are people who have been infected with a virus that turns them into brain-eating monsters. Technically, they’re not human, but they’re also not “alive” (at least, not in the same way that you are). That’s why they’re often referred to as “the undead.” That’s also why it’s OK to shoot them without facing murder charges. In fact, you have to shoot them or they will eat your brains – even your best friend (because, technically, he’s not your best friend anymore if he’s a zombie).

The way to kill a zombie is simple: you must shoot it in the head with a gun or some other projectile weapon or separate the head from the body using things like a chainsaw, katana blade, or a baseball bat (and a really good swing). Be careful when using things like katana blades and chainsaws. These are advanced weapons and require exceptional skill to operate properly.

Don’t bother punching or kicking a zombie. Fancy martial arts also won’t work on zombies and, in fact, might increase your odds of becoming a zombie yourself. You see, when a zombie bites you, you turn into a zombie. If you’re fighting in close, you might get bitten unintentionally. So, the best course of action is to try to kill a zombie while maintaining a good distance from it.

Step 2 – Start a Local ZRT Branch

The Zombie Response Team has made it easy to start up a local branch. You must fill out a simple form to request membership. Then, you must follow all of the requirements to start and maintain your membership status. You’ll have to establish either a website or a social media presence. An example of a social media presence would be a Facebook Page for your local branch or a Meetup group. You can also use Twitter, if you think that would be the easiest way to reach out to your community.

You must be serious about starting and maintaining the branch or the ZRT will revoke your membership status. You don’t want that to happen because then you’ll be all alone when the zombie apocalypse starts. There’s strength in numbers, and joining ZRT only increases your odds of survival.

Step 3 – Recruit Members

For any ZRT branch to be successful, it must have members. You must promote the branch online and in your local community. That’s the best way to increase membership. Some people will think you’re crazy. They won’t want to join. Many people will laugh at you. Pay them no mind. One day, they’ll turn into a zombie and no one will be able to help them. Then who will have the last laugh?

Why It’s Important To Take Action Now

Regardless of what happens in your local community, it’s wise to join social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter (if you haven’t already). Don’t worry about the oddballs posting funny pictures of their cats or sharing embarrassing childhood stories. You’re always going to meet strange people on the Internet. Just start making friends all over the United States as well as in other countries. The idea is to save as many people as you can in your local community by recruiting them into your local ZRT branch while also opening the lines of communication to other ZRT branches around the globe and even non-ZRT members (remember: you can always direct “out-of-towners” to the closest branch). Create emergency plans and battle tactics with surrounding ZRT branches. When the apocalypse begins, a coordinated effort will be your only hope for survival.

This guest post is written by Hans Ericsson. When hes not riding or
building mountain bikes, hes booking flights to Europe for the next downhill competition.

What kind of technology is going to benefit you the most during a
zombie outbreak? Heres an argument that says cameras may be the place
to invest.

Cameras are going to be invaluable when the eventual zombie outbreak
occurs. Of course you will need your combat weapons to escape
immediate danger, but for the long haul, cameras can be just as
important if used effectively. Cameras are your eyes when you cant
be somewhere, they record events you may need to go over at some
point, and they document what is happening for future generations.

First things first, you will need power. Hopefully youve invested in
solar or wind power, but if you havent, fear not- there are
alternatives. Its important to understand how electricity is made
and stored, as this is good information for any survivalist. The
easiest thing to do would be to design your own power supply that is
hidden to the rest of the world, like a turbine in an underwater
river. Unfortunately, unless you are a genius, you wont be able to do
this without attracting attention from at least some unwanted parties.
Remember the episode of Breaking Bad where Walt and Jesse are stranded
in the desert? They end up trying to hand crank the generator to
charge the battery in the RV. This makeshift concept is going to be
more along your lines. Best way to do this is by building/buying some
kind of bicycle
generator. This way youre getting in shape as well as making
electricity. As you know, if one thing is important, its cardio!

The other thing you can do is outfit yourself with crank flashlights.
Many have USB outputs built in, so they are great for on the go
charging. Some lights also have solar panels. Leave these on your
roof or somewhere safe during the day. You wont be charging
components with them, but you will make charging easier by having
dedicated lights.

The first and most obvious application for a digital camera is
surveillance. Being able to see your adversaries before they can see
you is monumentally important. Once you have secured your ideal
compound, the next step you should be taking is to set up some hidden
security cameras. Remember not to leave them in plain sight. You might
not think that hiding them is all that important, but its not just
zeds youre trying to avoid. Scavengers who see an active security
camera will view that property as having something worth taking. Your
human counterparts wont always be on your side, so you can use your
cams to scope out any and all visitors. Many cams will feature motion
activation to save electricity and memory, or you can monitor it live
if you feel like watching the grass grow.

Another application that may not immediately come to mind is using a
camera for training purposes. If you havent had experience with a
GoPro camera, you may want to consider one. The GoPro is a small and
extremely versatile camera that has all kinds of uses. It comes
standard with a water proof case, and there are dozens of mounting
options available. Its used world wide by extreme athletes who want
to film their antics. From skydiving, to snowboarding, to mountain
biking, and more, the GoPro shoots clear, stable video and does
surprisingly well in low light conditions. When youre out gathering
supplies, why not film any encounters with zombies you may have? The
chest mount is good for this, as it will keep your arms in the frame.
For a top down look, consider the head strap or helmet mount. Theres
also bar mounts which are good for putting on vehicles. You will be
able to train others on your best survival tactics using this footage,
as well as track any new patterns in the behavior of the zombies.

Not only will this video be valuable in helping to train others to
kill the undead, but youll be able to make videos that show others
what is going on in your area. Many RC airplanes and helicopters can
support the weight of a GoPro, so if youre looking to see if the
other side of the mountain range is clear, thats one way to do it.
Just make sure to have a runway/landing pad that is not too close to
your safe house. Assuming there is still an internet, you could be
responsible for saving hundreds by guiding them to clear zones.

This leads us to the last function for digital cameras- historical
documentation. You probably wont be thinking about it at the time,
but the photos and videos you shoot, as well as your first hand
accounts, will help historians put together the events of the day.
Think of it this way- when Ken Burns VI decides to make the
documentary on the WWZ 100 years later, it could be your photos in
black and white shown on screen, while respected celebrities read your
accounts of what happened.

In honor of Zombie Awareness Month, we’ve put together this comprehensive article about how to inform your friends, family, relatives and even people you don’t know about the zombie apocalypse without looking like a crazy person.

Our purpose is to inform people and then let them figure out on their own whether they want to prepare or not. It’s not our job to necessarily save everyone, but it is our job to inform people of what’s about to happen and hope they choose the right path.

The zombie apocalypse could happen at any time, any where, so it’s important to inform people even outside of the month of May. However, this month gives everyone an excuse to inform.

Step 1: Don’t come off as a snob. Don’t force your opinion on others. Simply educate them about the facts of being prepared.

Step 2: Some possible preparation topics to go over:

And so on. Create your own list of things to talk about as well.

Step 3: Let them know of the nearest Zombie Response Team branch in their area or possibly another zombie resistance group that you know of. They will be extremely helpful in time of need.

Step 4: Make sure you’re a line of hope for them. If they decide not to pursue getting prepared right away, make sure they know that they can go to you for help when they are ready. There’s no pressure, we’re only here to inform.

Step 5: Explain to them HOW a zombie apocalypse could actually happen. Explain that there are new strains of viruses being created on a daily basis and any of those could get into the wrong hands.

Step 6: Help them understand the signs of a zombie and make sure they know that even if they’re not prepared, that they need to take out the brain in order for a zombie to go down.

Step 7: Be prepared to take them out in case they turn into a zombie and inform them that it’s ok to take you out in case you turn. While we’re all comrades in the beginning, we must be realistic in the fact that anyone of us could turn into a zombie, no matter how well prepared we are or aren’t.

Step 8: Let them know that they can use these preparation tactics for any disaster situation, not just for the zombie apocalypse. So being prepared is good all around.

Step 9: Tell them to prepare for electricity, cell phone towers, water and everything else we rely on on a daily basis to go out within a week of the zombie apocalypse.

Step 10: Not everyone agrees on what transportation will be right, but if they’re going to have a car, a bike or even a horse, be prepared for maintenance, feeding the animals, gas, etc.

While there’s SO much to tell someone about how to prepare for the zombie apocalypse, you want to ease them into it at first and then if they’re still interested, talk to them about how you’re preparing and encourage them as often as you can to get prepared NOW.

What else would you tell someone about a zombie apocalypse?

This is a guest post by:

Hans Ericsson is a writer based out of Portland, Maine. When not exploring the Maine wilderness, he can often be found in England, exploring the countryside in a UK car rental
searching for the perfect location to relax.

We all love vacations. Some of us stay close to home, while others
choose to travel to all corners of the globe. If a zombie outbreak
occurs while youre on vacation, youre at a huge disadvantage. You
wont know the area well, or the best places to get supplies, and
youll be an outsider so locals may be suspicious and less trusting of
you. By choosing the right location however, you may be able to build
a nice little fortification for yourself and make some life long
friends in the process. Here are the top 5 places you want to be on
vacation, when a zombie outbreak occurs.

Iceland – Iceland disrupted travel all over the world a few years ago
when a large volcano created a dust cloud that was visible from space.
Because of this, you may not think Iceland an ideal location, but in
reality, its a darn near perfect place to be. Theres a massive
amount of open space in Iceland. With roughly 100,000 sq km the
population of 320,000 has space to move around, and more importantly,
space to grow food. But wait a minute, Iceland is cold, right? Thats
true, and only 1% of the area is suitable for cultivation, but thanks
to geothermal heat, greenhouses can produce food all over the country.
Also, Iceland is an island, and if theres one thing that island
cultures understand, its fishing. Speaking of geothermal heat, the
entire country is powered by renewable energy sources, an amazing
feat. Oil based transportation might be an issue, however Iceland was
the first country to use hydrogen as a fuel source, and already has a
goal to become a hydrogen fueled society by 2050. In a nutshell,
Iceland is a large island capable of making its own food and can
provide unlimited free energy to people living there. Provided the
entire country isnt overrun by zombies, its the place to be.

Alaska – You might think that Hawaii would be the better of the two
Non-48 states, but I was reluctant to list Hawaii, as 90 percent of
their energy comes from oil that has to be imported. Plus, Hawaii is
the 13th most densely populated state in the US. Can you guess what
number 50 is? Thats right, Alaska. Should you happen to be in Alaska
when news of an outbreak occurs, theres a good chance that you will
be fine if you can keep the zombies away. Even if you cant, youre
likely to find a population of hunters and sportsmen who know how to
survive in the elements. Plus, the natural predators will also help
to keep most walkers far, far away from you. Evacuees heading north
will probably set up shop long before reaching Alaska, and anyone who
can navigate the seas well enough to make it into port is probably
worth letting in. Alaska is absolutely stunning when it comes to
beauty, so the scenery wont be too bad either. Enjoy the crab and
moose dinners, and see if you can find an engineer who can refine oil
into gasoline.

The Azores – In the event of a Zombie outbreak, you might be glad to
be in the Azores. Settled by Portugal roughly 500 years ago, the
Azores are 900 miles from mainland Europe. Their tropical climate
means food is able to be produced all year, and the country is already
working to use more geothermal resources for power. Your biggest
threat would be cruise ships and other liners trying to dock there
uninvited. The Azores were actually settled as a place for ships
crossing the oceans to stop for supplies and repairs. As far as
resources go, the Azores have enough to around, but everyone with a
boat knows youre there, and they will be looking for a place to
settle.

Denmark/Sweden/Finland – These three Scandinavian countries have a lot
in common. They have is a lot of land mass, extremely low density
populations, and some of the happiest people on Earth. No, really.
Each year they are ranked in various polls and studies as being one of
the best places to live. I mean just look around, the people are
beautiful, and there are ample resources, making Scandinavia one of
the most self-sustaining areas in the world. Why wouldnt everyone be
happy? With the ability to generate power with renewable energy and
all that coastal access, youd be able to do alright if you could keep
the walkers out. The winters are cold, but people have lived there for
thousands of years. Get your cross-country skis tuned up and you can
put your biathlon skills to good use.

Dubrovnik, Croatia – A European city is not the most ideal spot to
be, but if I had to choose one, Dubrovnik would probably be it.
Dubrovnik is famous for its medieval walls, and no walker is getting
over them. It offers safety from zombies, but getting food into the
city could be a challenge. Food is going to be the hardest thing to
come by once supply lines break, and if there can be civility on the
seas, fishing will save the lives of the people inside. Dubrovnik has
always been a notoriously hard city to conquer, thanks in part to the
mountains that border it. You might find the perfect little sanctuary
on nearby Lokrum Island, although it is rumored to be cursed.

Where would YOU recommend?

If you haven’t checked out this cool online, zombie survival map yet, please do so here: Map Of The Dead.

Ok, so it’s pretty awesome, right? It shows all the nearby businesses, military bases, etc within your area so that when the zombie apocalypse happens, you know exactly where those important places are to either stay away from or if you’re not prepared yet, to steal food to ration.

Of course, we should pretty much know our own town, but especially here in San Antonio, it’s so big that here’s no way I could ever memorize or be aware of all the places that could be of assistance during a zombie apocalypse.

It’s also supposed to tell you where the infected areas are – but in a zombie apocalypse, this information will be useless, because…

It can’t be used once the internet goes down.

Don’t get me wrong, the map is very awesome and helpful. But once the internet is out, we instantly revert back to paper maps.

So take out a map of your area and surrounding areas and start pin-pointing spots from the zombie survival map onto your paper map.

Also jot down the places & addresses in a notebook, so that if you lose the map or can’t read it or whatever, then you’ll still have a back up of those important places.

Make sure to add in several different escape and exit routes as well, if necessary to your plan.

That paper map will be ESSENTIAL to your survival once the zombie apocalypse hits, so use the zombie survival map as a resource in order to build up your paper map.

Stay safe, by staying prepared!

We hear the question asked a lot,

“Can’t we just wait for them all to decompose?”

The answer is: No.

Here’s why:

1. Weather conditions won’t be the same in all areas. Yes, it gets hot here in Texas and yes, the zombies will decompose quicker, but that doesn’t mean they’ll decompose at all. It can take a 3 months to a year for a body to completely decompose, depending on the circumstances and hot weather can speed up the process, but won’t necessarily destroy them. Also, hot weather is not guaranteed in all places of the world, therefore zombies will last a lot longer in colder weather, for instance. So even if all the zombies decompose here in Texas, they won’t be decomposed up north for a while longer.

2. More zombies. While older zombies may decompose, guess what they’ve done in the process of their undead? Made more zombies! So it’ll seem as if the process will just continue to perpetuate. Sure, eventually there will be no more humans to turn undead…but are you really going to rest on that theory?

3. Certain parts will go first. Let’s say a zombies legs go first. Do you think if a zombie loses its legs that it’s just going to lay there and die? Nope! They’re going to keep chugging along, crawling to find new subjects to feed on.

4. You have a brain. Guess what? You have a fully functional brain. The one advantage that we have over the zombies. So don’t just sit there and wait for them to decompose, DO something about it. Use your smarts to put them out of their misery so that we don’t have to just sit back and wait for them to decompose and all the while turn more people.


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