Now that you have been versed on what the VE zombie is and how to recognise one (REF: http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/recognising-and-understanding-the-zombie) I will focus my attention on defending yourself against them. This part is for individual defense and assumes you are on your own, I will cover group defense methods and then picking a suitable, 'fortress' and subsequently defending your, 'fortress' in a later post.

Firstly, it is important to note the cumbersome nature of the zombie, our speed, agility and ability to think are our major advantages over the undead and in a one-one-one situation almost all weapons can be utilised to ensure survival. Two important issues must be acknowledged before attempting this though.

1. The only way to kill a zombie is by killing the brain, as discussed in recognising and understanding the zombie, it is completely independent of the support system that the human body offers.

2. When delivering the fatal blow in close quarters beware of any blood splatter, or any other parts of the zombie coming your way. Any blood contact will result in infection. Luckily though, because the circulatory system will no longer be functioning, the blood will not be fluidic in nature and should be very easy to avoid. Tests found that a zombie could be decapitated with no blood showing however this may not always be the case and care should be taken.

From here I will give a break-down of different weapons you should have and be able to carry with you in case a journey to safety is required. It should be noted before I continue of a few things to bear in mind. Care for your weapons, keep them clean and functioning. They will be of no use packing up in the heat of battle. Make sure they are battle ready, beware of replica or theatrical weapons, these will rarely stand up to frequent (if any) usage. If possible, when purchasing weapons buy two at a time and find out what the limits of them are before they are no longer of use. Train frequently with your weapons, they will be of little use to you if you cannot use properly.

1. The crowbar

This should be your first tool of choice and last resort weapon. Close quarters can be used to bludgeon the zombie head, smashing the skull and brain. Learn to target the softer areas. It is also useful performing tasks it was originally intended for (prying, etc etc)

2. The Machete

Make sure it is purchased from an army surplus store and strong enough for repeated use. Easy to make frequent blows to the brain and doubles up for other tasks as well. Very few other blades will compare with this when confronted with zombies

With these first two weapons in your possession you will probably want to acquire something that keeps them a bit further away from you. For this I would recommend a semi-automatic rifle. A crossbow has the advantage of being near silent however given a choice (it would be difficult to carry both of them, feasible in a group situation though, where one or two people would be able to carry one instead of a rifle) I would choose the rifle. Do not be tempted to use a fully automatic weapon. In tests, it was shown that a head-shot with an M1 carbine had a near 100% kill rate on a zombie and the 0.5% left would be so impaired that a second shot swiftly finished the job. There is no point in carrying much needed ammunition only to waste it in a fully automatic weapon.

Accompany this with a sidearm that uses the same ammunition as your semi-automatic rifle. At close quarters in a well trained hand this will be invaluable.

I would advise to consider carrying a .22 calibre pistol as well. Although close range will be required, the lack of power to produce an exit wound from the back of the skull can lead to the bullet ricocheting around the inside of the skull destroying the zombie's brain. The size of the rounds enables ease of transport and can be an invaluable last ditch weapon before you have to whip out the machete.

Although there are few other weapons that are just as effective (if not better) than the ones I have listed, It can be difficult acquiring reliable versions and anything on top of all I have listed will be cumbersome.

There are some no-no weapons though. Ones that should be avoided

1. The chainsaw. Ever popular in Hollywood movies and yet, sadly I must admit, not an advisable tool to use. generally they are cumbersome. Any fuel must be carried with you and once that has run out (assuming you are lucky and bits of zombie have not clogged it up) it will be of no use. Avoid.

2. Fire (Molotov cocktails, flame throwers etc etc) Again, items for setting fire to zombies are generally going to take up room and weight that could be used for other useful items. Remember that setting fire to a zombie will not kill it instantly and it could be well over an hour before it is immobile and in the time that takes it will have set fire to everything it encounters. More than one, 'zombie hunter' has been quoted saying,"'the only thing worse then a zombie walking right at you, is azombie walking at you on fire". That said though if a reasonably sized hole or ditch can be dug and enough ghouls lured in, getting a fire going once they're all stuck will destroy them all.

3. Explosives. The brain of a zombie is completely independent from the body and has no need for the support mechanism that it offers. This is why you will find explosives are extremely detrimental to your efforts. When combat experiments were carried out in in the Siberian research facility, 'praxis' it was discovered that the congealed nature of the undead blood prevented the, 'boil and explode effect' of conventional explosives, this added to the shrapnel possibly taking out the legs and resulting in a harder to spot, crawling ghoul is why explosives should be avoided. Although removing obstacles, blasting through doors or even creating temporary barricades are good possible uses.

The most important part of all of this is to stay legal and obey the laws of your country. It will be no good, when swarms of zombies are attacking the living if you are confined in a cell, only able to listen as they make their way to you.

For further information go to http://www.chess.com/groups/home/zombie-survivalist-group to check for any updates

For essential further reading purchase, 'the zombie survival guide' by Max Brooks. Vitally important for anyone wanting to avoid becoming a member of the undead

Zombie Survivalist Group

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