CAMPING: ZOMBIE SURVIVAL EDITION

The thought of a zombie takeover is terrifying! In movies, some are alarmingly fast, while others move slowly and gather strength in numbers. But whether it’s the stumbling hordes from Night of the Living Dead, the sprinting, infectious version featured in 28 Days Later or something entirely different; perhaps the surest means of surviving the zombie apocalypse is to become nomadic and learn to live off the grid as a survivalist camper.

With careful preparation, the proper equipment and a thorough understanding of how to fend off zombies, you can live quite comfortably and avoid being eaten by the undead. But just what would someone need to set up camp during a zombie outbreak?

Reliable Transport: You’ll have to make some important transportation decisions in the event of a zombie infestation. Cars and RVs provide mobility and storage capacity, but they have their drawbacks. Vehicles break down and require parts that may be inaccessible, while gas may be limited in availability. The decision to drive, bike or walk should be made based primarily on how many people are in your party and your willingness to abandon a vehicle if necessary. If you have more than three people in your group, and can downsize your equipment or supplies quickly… ride in style for as long as you can manage!

Tents: Basic human needs require water, food and shelter. A tent that rolls up easily and is lightweight would be a perfect accessory for a life on the move. But you’ll need protection from the elements, so recognize that a simple vinyl tent is not going to shield you from a famished zombie! And as we learned from AMC’s The Walking Dead; without an easy exit, your tent could quickly become a deathtrap.

Weaponry: Your choice of weaponry should depend upon your skills and preferences. Guns are great for nailing zombies from a distance, but they can be heavy, jam up or eventually run out out ammo. If you are familiar with swordsmanship, a number of swords and machetes can be optimal weapons for eliminating the staggering dead up-close and personal. However, it can be extremely difficult to take on multiple zombies with a sword unless you are Michonne. So, choose carefully!

Water: While water is a fundamental necessity, transporting large amounts is a near impossibility when surviving as a migrant. And finding uncontaminated, drinkable water will also be a challenge, especially if the zombies on your tail are of the biological or environmental poisoning variety, like those in The Crazies. Your best bet is a self-purifying water bottle. Light weight, portable, and reliable; these babies are worth their weight in gold! Some are based on NASA designs and can filter out most bacteria and impurities.

Generator: If you have transportation, then your new best friend will soon become the generator you pull along behind you. With utility personnel unavailable (and most likely devoured) a generator will allow the luxury of electricity for cooking food and lighting dark spaces, which may be of particular importance in the dead of night. Mobile generators transport easily and can power a multitude of valuable gadgets like RV stoves for cooking, televisions and radios for emergency broadcast information, and rechargeable satellite phones, walkie-talkies or navigation devices.

When the dead come back, like you always knew they would, prepare yourself for a life of survivalist camping. But just remember… with the proper tools and equipment, you can easily weather the zombie apocalypse in style!