U.S. Zombie Tactical Squad

Protection from the Undead

Our team has been working to train people for the coming Zombie Apocalypse through tools and tips learned in their various fields of expertise. We expect to give you the same tools and training to ensure your one of the survivors, and not part of the undead plague. By keeping up to date on the latest literature, tools, and training we plan to show you how to stay healthy and avoid becoming one of the undead horde that will pillage humanity. So check back with us on a regular basis to ensure you are prepared to survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Hunting The Undead (or How To Track A Zombie)

Posted by mercutiom On October - 29 - 2009

In the initial hours, days, and weeks of an outbreak you need to run and create an area for you and your force to survive above all else.  Eventually the outbreak will either peter out,  it will reach maximum density and won’t spread any further, or the outbreak area will be cordoned off by the authorities and the spread will fail to grow.

At this point it’s time to start thinking of taking back territory and start hunting down the zombies.  When this time comes there are several important rules to follow to ensure you survive as the hunter and don’t become the hunted.

First and foremost, don’t get bitten.  It sounds logical, but it’s not as easy as that.  Not only are you about to put yourself into an area covered in the undead but you’re going looking to put yourself into their space, and thus possibly their teeth.

We plan on going into greater detail in the future, but for now here are the basic rules for zombie hunting:

  1. Wear Thick Clothing.  If you can get a kevlar outfit, that would be great, but if that’s not an option, get as many layers as possible that still allow you to move naturally.  Avoid reducing your range of potion as much as possible while adding layers of bite resistant fabric.
  2. Don’t go alone:  Always have someone (or ones) watching your back and keeping an eye out behind you.  Many a zombie has been born from those who thought they could survive by themselves.  Don’t be dumb, bring a friend.
  3. Bring them to you:  Instead of going out and tracking them down where they live, go to the edge of an infested area and make a lot of noise.  Make sure the area you choose is someplace you can easily get out of if the oncoming force becomes overwhelming.  By bringing them to you, you’re less likely to be caught in an area you aren’t familiar with, and you’re more likely to be able to control the kill zone.
  4. Avoid Entering Buildings:  Buildings are basically big rat traps.  They keep the undead in and even help to preserve them over a longer time.  (There’s no weather inside.)  Enter a building and you’re putting yourself in the mouth of the tiger.  Instead of entering, open a door and let them come out to you.  This won’t work for all of them, but it will clear out the majority allowing you to control the situation.
  5. Always have an Escape Route:  Before entering any infested area plan a route out.  Then plan another and another.  Always have at least three routes out.  You never know if one of your escape routes will be blocked off, so have several options and you’re less likely to become trapped.

So that’s the short list.  As we mentioned before we’ll go more in depth with each of these options in the future, but we wanted to make sure we got this out there to ensure you have an idea of what you’ll need to think about before you start your zombie hunt.  Good luck, good hunting, and don’t get bit.

Photo Credit:  Ash Lourey

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There seems to be a great deal of confusion on whether or not zombies will attack animals, and if they do, will those animals become infected, simply die, or go on with their lives. As this video shows, some types of zombies will indeed attack animals that enter their vicinity, but this is not always the case.

Some types of zombies will indeed attack an animal, though those same types will typically attack any warm or moving object.  Some types of zombies will only attack certain types of animals (e.g., mammals but not lizards,) and some types of zombies will only go after a human being.

To make this a little more straightforward we have come up with the following lists to help you in knowing whether or not your family pets are safe.

Zombies that Will Attack Animals:

Zombies that Will Only Attack Humans

To understand how to identify each type of zombie, please click on the links above and review the various articles.  This will advise you on how to identify your zombies, and find out whether they are a threat to only you, or if you need to protect your pets as well.

One important item to note when reviewing the articles, not all zombie types can be spread to your animals.  So while you may want to protect Spot from being eaten, if he does get bitten, you do not necessarily need to put him out of his misery.

If your pet/horse/cow/sheep does receive a bite, and you are unsure what type of zombie you have encountered, the safest option is to put the animal down.  We understand that this is difficult (nigh on impossible for some.)  We are pet owners and animal lovers ourselves, and to have to put down your own animal is one of the most difficult decisions one can make, even if it isn’t due to an infected bite from a zombie.

That said, the infected pet is no longer the loving, caring creature you have shared time and adventures with.  If not now, then soon it will turn into a vicious, ravenous creature with only your death in mind.

If you cannot bring yourself to put your pet down, and you have not been able to identify the type of zombie bite it has received, you have two options.

  1. Have an acquaintance do the dirty work for you.  Do NOT let a friend do it.  It will ruin your relationship completely.  You will always question your decision, and if a friend has to put down your beloved pet, you will forever look at them with that question, and that anger.  Make sure the person you ask is someone you either don’t like, or don’t have a close connection with.  It will change your relationship with them as well, but it’s less likely to ruin a friendship.  Ironically, it may even lead to a stronger connection with that person.
  2. Lock the possibly infected animal up and monitor it over the course of several days.  An infection that can spread to an animal will show its signs within 72-120 hours (three to five days.)  If your pet is still its same old self after that time, you can consider yourself reasonably safe and release them.

NOTE: We cannot stress enough how dangerous, and frankly stupid this option is.  Primarily, keeping a potentially infected animal locked up for up to a week can cause issues of its own.  What if you have to move because of a coming horde?  What about the animals natural biological processes and the necessary cleanup?  Where can you keep a horse locked up that where you can guarantee it won’t escape, break free, etc.?

Additionally, there is no guarantee that even after five, ten, or even 100 days that your pet is guaranteed infection free.  All creatures have different resistances to infections.  Your chihuahua may be naturally immune to the zombie bacteria, but can still pass it on if he bites you.  The only way to guarantee your safety from your pet is to put it down, no matter how difficult the decision.

To be blunt, it’s you or them.  In a war against the zombification of all humanity your pet may become collateral damage.  It’s sad, it’s difficult to come to terms with, it’s your only guarantee for safety.

In the war against zombies, animals are often caught in the middle.  Many people are forced to abandon their pets when they go on the run.  Even more are turned and have no recollection of their family and friends, much less their pets.

While some animals are trained to help humanity against the zombie threats, many are left to fend for themselves and have been known to become a danger in themselves.  Feral packs of both dogs, cats, and even escaped zoo animals have been known to roam urban wastelands after an outbreak.

For these reasons, we recommend that if you are a pet owner and you realize that an outbreak is occurring, please do something about your pets.  They will not likely be able to make it through the outbreak alive, and may even become a danger to you and your survival group.  We know it’s difficult, but it may become necessary.

Video Credit:  VideoSlave

Zombies Versus Animals

Posted by mercutiom