![fotojournalismus:
An ethnic Tibetan elder woman sits at her house near Danba, Sichuan Province January 26, 2012. Ethnic tension simmered in remote corners of China’s southwestern Sichuan province on Thursday after security forces fired on demonstrators in a series of deadly clashes that Tibet’s government in exile condemned as “gruesome”.
[Credit : Carlos Barria/Reuters]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lygut5UIsV1r44q44o1_1280.jpg)
An ethnic Tibetan elder woman sits at her house near Danba, Sichuan Province January 26, 2012. Ethnic tension simmered in remote corners of China’s southwestern Sichuan province on Thursday after security forces fired on demonstrators in a series of deadly clashes that Tibet’s government in exile condemned as “gruesome”.
[Credit : Carlos Barria/Reuters]
The Apocalypse poses one real problem and that is the breakdown of society. But is it possible to retain the core of what human civilisation is today?
In the early weeks, law and order will go out the window as looters raid and ravage urban areas to steal “goods” which will soon become obsolete. As the dust settles over a new world, it will become apparent to survivors exactly how much they lose when they lose their government. At that point, even as lone travellers, the survivors will begin to pine for an ordered world.
It is possible however, for the human condition to take a very different turn. Those that chose to fight rather than to flee may revel in the new lawlessness, a sort of pure existence that allows them total freedom. Murder of their fellow man may become too easy, after weeks and months of killing pale (yet bloody) imitations of mankind. Rape, theft, basically evil acts will become grey areas - in a lawless world where you are free, what exactly would you do?
Where logic prevails, however, will be in larger groups. A natural leader will have emerged in the group in the weeks after the infection and this is the beginning of a hierarchy that will lead to a re-establishment of society, and law, and right and wrong.
Ultimately it is human relationships that will preserve this right and wrong, which is what makes these lone survivors all the more dangerous.
Although it was a matter of months ago, it feels like it’s been years since the first reports of the new strain.
This is how the first (small) swarms got reported by mainstream media over here in the UK.
Deadly Hands
The key to winning out against the undead is hand-to-hand weapons. Quieter than guns, easier to maintain, easier to repair, the hand to hand weapon is the ideal partner for the Zombie Apocalypse.
1. Shaolin Spade
Max Brook’s “Zombie Survival Guide” first shone light on the Shaolin Spade as a method of zombie killing as its bladed edge is perfect for lobotomising infected in one slick swipe, while keeping your distance from the infected. If you can find a Shaolin Spade, however, you deserve to live forever.
2. Hand And A Half Sword (Bastard Sword)
The Bastard Sword is the best sword to use in the apocalypse - while not quite the light gladius-type shortsword that requires immediate vicinity, it’s not quite got the heft of a two-handed claymore. The bastard sword is pretty damn hard to locate in non-urban areas, but could be a mighty addition to your hand to hand arsenal.
3. Sledgehammer
The weight of a sledgehammer makes it a blessing and a curse - while deadly, the weight can and will slow you down in situations where speed may be key. The commonness of the sledgehammer may mean that when you need to leave a situation - and your sledgehammer- behind, you can salvage another elsewhere. It’s an expendable weapon but still mighty.
4. Machete
The machete offers the might of hacking through infected - however the hacking may not be enough to penetrate infected skulls, unless wielded by a strong arm, the machete does little more than slow infected down.
5. Hatchet
A small cousin to the fire axe, discussed in previous posts, the hatchet can be crucial not only in destroying infected but in various other capacities; but the hatchet is small and requires an up-close-and-personal encounter with the infected. However, the hatchet, wielded properly, can be a fast and deadly weapon.
6. Bowie Knife
The Bowie Knife is a survivalist’s wet dream and when it comes to zombie survival, it’s no different. From hunting to fighting, the bowie knife is a close range, hardcore combat weapon that, used properly, is deadly.
When it comes to choosing your fortress, your last stand, there are so many factors that come into play it can be better to leave it to chance. Here are some things to consider:
Solid hideouts include:
Terrible Hideouts include:
More in-depth analysis of specific hideouts to come
Shown are examples of the hyphema that will be visible in any sufferer of Madman flu. Although Madman flu did mutate into the current nightmarish virus that is ravaging Asia and possibly Russia, there is no direct evidence that it has crossed into Europe, Africa or the Americas. Despite this, there is nothing to suggest that the same mutations cannot simply occur and become selected in the European or American viral genotype. This may be far less likely than a simple spread of the existing mutation through the infected humans, but is an ever-present risk.
The Hyphema symptom is present in all “zombie”-state humans, as well as all sufferers of the Madman flu. Those suffering the Madman flu alone are NOT going to bite and attack you. They do, however, carry a potentially lethal and incredibly infectious virus and should be avoided at all costs. The Madman flu has not yet developed beyond a severe flu with symptoms of hyphema, hysterical cackling, minor haemorrhaging and hallucinations within either the UK or the USA, so sufferers may not need to be dispatched instantly but instead quarantined until possible recovery.
The images above display varying stages of hyphema, but variation within the physical appearance that defines the condition is great. Some infected with Madman flu may have entirely black eyes, others may just look very bloodshot with large pupils. Those with any such afflictions should be avoided, and, although it sounds incredibly paranoid, suspicion should be aroused by individuals sporting dark glasses!
The bicycle is silent, easy to replace, requires very little upkeep, far more agile than any car and can be carried indoors. It supplies you with invaluable exercise and can quickly get you into shape in a survival situation. It is the vehicular equivalent of the bow. Silent, efficient, and fun.
The fixed gear or single speed:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Unlikely to be a good choice of vehicle for anyone other than an experienced rider of fixed gear or singlespeed. However, to those people, it may be the best choice to keep things familiar. The last thing you want is to be fiddling with gears in a panicking situation.
———
The generic mountain bike or offroad commuter:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
———
The road bike:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
———
The touring bike:
Has most of the advantages of both the offroad commuter and the road bike, combined with the ability to load it with bags. In cross-country journeys this bike is invaluable. It can be loaded up with the required parts for a decent campsite. Probably the type of bike you should be looking for.
No weapon is truly silent, but the beauty of hand to hand weaponry and silent ranged weapons like bows and crossbows is that you can dispose of individual infected without the risk of revealing your location. The bow is an easy thing to master and definitely among the most deadly to the undead.
However, you must be asking “Where will I find a bow in 2012?” - There are some places that may supply bows, or crossbows - high-range sports shops or hunting shops may provide the weapon in question. However it is possible to make your own.
Ingredients:
When choosing the wood, make sure it is a flexible kind of wood (I am assured that mulberry is a flexible kind, but there are others, even bamboo)
-How to identify a Mulberry Tree-
Try to pick a piece of wood with a good curvature, so as to avoid hurting yourself when the string is drawn and released.
Next is shaping the bow into a shallow bowl shape, this may take time and may be frustrating - persevere, even if it means using another piece of wood. Make sure you are carving the shape along with the natural curvature of the stick.
Cut a notch about half an inch of the top and bottom of your bow to keep the string - this should be two fairly shallow cuts either side of the stick but not a full circle around the stick.
Cut the string accordingly and attach to the bow - make sure the string will hold and is taut enough to have some real strength behind it.
Arrows
Use dry, sturdy wood to make the arrows. Typically each arrow should be about half the length of the bow. Whittle the arrows down to smoothness (this is crucial, as it ensures the bow’s health as much as your own). To save time, whittle a point onto the end of the arrow - or else, find arrowheads out of stones and fixing them to a notch at the end of the arrow. Feathers are not 100% necessary for the arrow’s flight, but you can attach them using thread or glue if you have time.
As frequently seen in the hands of rioters during the first reports of the new strains of Madman flu in China, the Molotov cocktail is now a useful weapon against swarms.
It is important that the Molotov is dropped upon groups that are positioned below the thrower, and a safe distance away. An infected individual, even in flames, will still run for you.
Things you will need:
OPTIONAL:
Remember, this must never be used on a non-infected human being. Your targets are unlikely to survive a Molotov strike, and attempts at establishing unity with others are more important than ever. However, the infected must be eradicated without hesitation.
Directions:
Videos coming through from Cali which seem to show the States measures for “handling” the crisis.
Doesn’t seem exactly like peaceful measures to subdue the “rioting.”
Time to own up, Washington.
