Run for the Hills!
Seriously, get out of the city. With everyone breathing on everyone else and the oh so close proximity, bites and scratches could happen in an instant. And then you’re just a time bomb, waiting to die, become reanimated and then gorge yourself on the tasty flesh and brains of your annoying younger sibling. Once trouble starts, everyone and their grandma will try to flee the chaos. Try to leave early, take as many people as you can without going completely out of your way to get them. Immediate family, close by friends and people on the way, are good ideas. Don’t forget to stock up on gas. A lot of people will be stubborn and want to stay at home and fight to the death over the last can of Spam, insisting that the CDC or government will “get things under control” (even though every zombie movie ever made in the history of the universe tell us the government was behind all of it in the first place). Hey, they could be right. But better safe than sorry, and if indeed everything does work out, you’ll get a few boy scout badges for camping out until everything dies down.

Everyday is a winding road
Now that you’re out of the city, try to take highways. This will save precious gas and most everyone will be “thinking smart” and taking back roads. When traffic becomes bad, turn off your car. When it becomes terrible, create a detour or hoof it. You’ll have to get used to walking and running, so have people stay in the car and go for a run when traffic is at a stand still. Come back and switch with the other people in your car. Try to get at least 60 miles clear of the cities. Small towns don’t really come into contact with big city viruses but should they, a population of 1,500 is easier to handle than the millions that live in Dallas County.

Roughing it
Leave your Ipods, Androids, X-boxes, games, DVD collection and Mac at home. Also, no beauty products. Yes I’m being serious. Zombie’s won’t care if they’re messing up your hair, and eyeliner in the woods is stupid. Who looks hot camping? Exactly. Unlike the movies, you will not have a beauty crew five feet away, an air conditioned place to chill or even a shower. You are going to get dirty. And dirty usually means sick. So, some of what you WILL need are some basic antibiotics, aspirin, warm clothes, sturdy shoes and  a lot of socks, jackets, blankets, a basic first aid kit, a tent, flashlights, a TON of batteries and some sleeping bags. Fishing necessities won’t hurt either, but you won’t die with out them. Pick up anything else that will actually be useful too. For example, shovels, knifes, pans and matches.

Oh shoot!
Your choice of defense is not limited to typical firearms. Get creative. Something heavy or sharp will do just fine. Nothing breakable will work for long though, so pick something sturdy. Should you run into a decaying body hungry for your nose, aim for the head and hit hard. And don’t forget the double tap. Down does not mean dead. Remember that. Also, clean your weapon regularly and learn it inside and out. If you know your weapon, you can better use it.

Hasta la vista, baby!

This one’s tough. Eventually, someone you know and may be close with will be bitten or left behind. I can guarantee it. This is going to suck. Even more so, because a) it’s premature and b) you will almost never see it coming. And yes, you will be sad. That’s okay. But you’re going to have to move on. Should they be bitten in your group or tribe or whatever, you are going to have to take care of it. For a less violent option, tie them up. 99 percent of the time, zombies aren’t the sharpest crayon in the box, so here’s your chance to earn the knot tying skills you’ll seriously need. Keep the undead at least a mile from your camp and if you can, say your goodbyes while they’re still sane and actually alive. Remember: once they’re zombies, they are not, and never will be, the same person. Love them while you can and survive for them. That being said, learn to be independent and do things by yourself instead of relying on everyone else.

Campin’ out

Find a place near water, that is secluded and has a food source nearby (water and food source can double). Fish will probably be your main source of food after the cans and non perishable items run out. As mentioned before, fishing supplies would be a plus, but you can fashion spears or nets with a little blood, sweat and tears. At night, keep your fires low. Zombies probably won’t be smart enough to realize what a fire means, but other unwanted outsiders and highway men aren’t dumb. At night, bundle up. Use fire for drying clothes and cooking in the day time. As for water, boil it for at least five minutes before drinking. You can bathe and wash clothing in the river or lake you’re by. The water source will also attract game, that you can try to snare or hunt.

One is the loneliest number…
…and the most likely to be killed and/or eaten. Have you never seen a horror movie? Splitting up is never okay, unless at least three people are in each group. At all times, take at least two people with you everywhere. Should you be separated, pick a pace to meet up after whatever disaster is over with. However, if whoever is missing doesn’t show within an hour of everyone else, go back to camp. If they don’t find their way back by the next morning you are allowed to search the perimeter for only a day. You can’t waste time looking someone when there is always going to be more things to do back at home. And to avoid being lost or turning into a zombie at all times, the last tip is crucial.

Don’t be stupid
Be safe. Stay safe. Loud noises and big booms attract attention. Broken arms and legs aren’t exactly treatable in post apocalyptic scenarios and it will only weigh your group down. Don’t think about showing up or impressing anyone by taunting a zombie or jumping from high places. People don’t want to realize they got stuck with the village idiot in their group. Besides, stupid stuff will get you killed 99.99 percent of the time. If you’re maimed, you can’t run from zombies. If you’re cut, infection is a serious possibility. This is not to say freak accidents don’t happen. Try to find a way to get extra antibiotics, medicine and food. If you’re close enough to a small town, or even in one, find the Walmart and stock up.