FANS of the dystopian genre have brought it back to life following the success of The Last of Us TV adaptation.
And with it, a fresh line of debate has been resurrected as to who might survive if a – improbable – apocalypse was to happen.
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So, what is your survival plan?
Luckily, if you don’t have one, survival expert Lewis Dartnell has created one for you.
Dartnell’s dos and don’ts of a zombie uprising focus on three things: A Checklist, A Survival Guide, and The Perfect Team.
The Checklist
The checklist mainly consists of the inventory pictured above, curated by Dartnell alongside tools and building materials retailer Toolstation.
One pro tip is to get hold of iodine tablets, which can be used to disinfect water should the usual supply be disrupted.
“At the start of everything, you will want to lay low. Make sure you are prepped with a few days’ worth of food and water and stay inside,” says Dartnell.
You won’t be changing clothes too often, Dartnell adds, so it’s important to have gear that can withstand the elements.
A spokesperson for Toolstation says: “You’ll probably never need a zombie apocalypse survival kit but if you do, we’ve got you covered.
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“If you haven’t prepared yet, make sure your local Toolstation branch is on your route to safety.”
The Survival Guide
Next, you draw up a get-out guide to navigate your way out of a populated area.
Dartnell explains: “Plan your route out of your town or city, a crowded area is the last place you want to be, so getting out is necessary.”
A route that avoids main roads is key, he adds, as well as travelling at night to avoid being spotted by zombies or the ‘infected’ – as they’re called in The Last of Us universe – or even other nefarious characters that could be lurking.
Next, you’ll want to find yourself a vehicle.
A “good set of wheels” is essential.
“Ideally a sturdy 4×4 that can take some damage and handle off-road driving,” says Dartnell.
“You’ll need a vehicle to travel for supplies and relocation, we recommend putting a long-range radio or walkie talkies in there so you can communicate with your fellow survivors.”
If you’ve managed to escape your town or city, gathered supplies, and even managed to reach to reach out to survivors, Dartnell says you’ll be ready to build a settlement.
Fertile ground is essentially if you want any food to grow.
“Find a quiet, rural spot to settle down,” he says, advising survivors to “settle near clear, running water” and firewood.
But don’t get too comfortable, because you’ll have to think about defence too.
“A wall surrounding your settlement combined with some floodlights is what you want,” Dartnell explains.
“This keeps out any unwanted visitors and allows you to keep eyes on the surrounding area.”
Once settled, survivors will have to commit to a new life of scavenging and building.
“The world is now yours to scavenge to survive. Keep an eye out for medication like antibiotics, iodine tablets can make water safe to drink, and supermarkets will contain canned food that will stay good for years after,” he says.
Then survivors can try set up off-grid supply of electricity via home-made wind turbines.
Another pro tip is that fuel can be made using rendered animal fat, allowing you to keep your vehicles running.
The Perfect Team
You may have survived this far, but one thing’s for sure – no one can go it alone forever.
Skilled friends will be key to your survival.
And Dartnell has drafted four types of people that you’ll want to team up with to ensure success:
- Natural Leaders: Having someone in the team who can lead and make decisions, keep morale high and organise is a must-have.
- Carpenters/Metalworkers: Trade workers will be essential to repairs and rebuilding a self-sufficient settlement.
- Electricians: Electricians can also help you rebuild infrastructure.
- Doctors and Nurses: Perhaps the obvious choice, but these survivors will help keep you in good health with their medical knowledge.
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