Most of these plans are going under the assumed idea of a zombie, but we need to consider the capabilities of the zombies, especially when the idea of most plans is to hole up and wait it out.

How do/did they grow in numbers? Do they indeed grow in number by biting a survivor, or was the inital release of the virus in a wide spread area, infecting all/most people in the area?

What capabilities do they have? Are their hearing/smelling amplified? Can they go without sleep? Do they naturally gravitate into hordes for safety, or can they communicate on a rudimentary level level, or even an advanced level, making them a great deal more dangerous to deal with.

It would also be wise to learn of the location of other survivor settlements (If at all).

And no intarwebs. Most likely the ISPs will be knocked out, and computers take up a lot of space and electricity.

People have already said this- read the work of Max Brooks.

A zombie outbreak would really suck for people like me, picky eaters who are usually lazy...luckily, i have a high metabolism which allows me to not be fat.(I'm basing this part 2 of sorts on the plan i posted above)seeing as a grocery store wouldn't have many outlets, and most of the foods i eat require a stove or microwave, I'd probably have to go out and find me a place with a working stove and microwave. That'd make an almost daily trip to some person's house. So, I'd need to secure a house, and barricade it up in almost the same way as the Target. I'd probably crash into the garage, close to the garage door, crack into it, then lock it in. Then use to microwave and Stove. I'd end up with 2 'bases' and a dangerous drive between. I'd carry a gun and a bat of some sort with me in the car so that I could be protected if ever attacked while on foot.

That's all I got for now, again...I'll think of more :D

Super Wal-mart in the midwest. They have a grocery store built in, as well as selling Guns and Ammo. Everything you need from Food, computer or console entertainment, TVs and Radios, and even condoms are there, including microwaves.

ABY57:
luckily, i have a high metabolism which allows me to not be fat.

Unfortunately, a high metabolism means you burn through calories pretty quickly. Sure, you may not need to eat much at a time, but you need to eat more times. Not saying it's not an advantage (I have a high metabolism too), just not as hugely great as you may think now while everything is fine.

Melty Blood:
It would also be wise to learn of the location of other survivor settlements (If at all).

Very very useful advice. Find 'em, then join 'em. If the zombies can get together in hordes, then so can you! Remember: Safety in numbers.

Melty Blood:
And no intarwebs. Most likely the ISPs will be knocked out, and computers take up a lot of space and electricity.

Look, I'm pretty sure zombies aren't smart enough to know what an ISP is, let alone take one out. I'd say, find the internet where you can and then find people there. Post a thread on every forum you know and can find, then put cookies on the comp to alert you if anyone posts. However, this is only applicable if you're in a group and if you're on your own then do not follow this advice. Alone, the time this would take would be way too long. This time could be used for finding supplies, raiding shops, etc.

Actually a lower metabolism like mine would be better, because if I go without a meal or two, my body will start burning it's excess fat.... Which means I can go longer without eating than you can...

I'll consider myself a hybrid then. I can go a while without food...I skip breakfast and put off lunch a lot. I wasn't saying my high metabolism was an advantage, just that i wouldn't get fat and can run around easier. I was talking mostly on how it also contributes to my being a picky eater, thus the two bases. And I think i was talking about Super Wal-mart, not Target...It's one of those 2, both have lots of things to keep you entertained and alive.

Okay. I'll add onto my earlier post, but only by a little bit to adress some points made by other people.

First off, a lot of my guide was based on long-term planning. This is because everyone knows about the short term. We've all played, or at least heard of, Resident Evil. "Shoot them in the head", and "Get out of the city" don't really need to be said, I believe. If they do...screw it, you're zombie chow. I assume you know the bare basics of survival here.

Mainly, the thing about the isolation area (into which you put people for a five day period upon entering your home/base/fortress/what have you).
I'm not talking about putting them into a little concrete hole and shoving food through a flap every day. I'm talking about putting them in a reasonably nice room with a lock on the outside, give them stuff to read, there's no problem in talking to people outside. Etc.
The only thing you're looking for, really, is signs of infection caused by anything but wounds (a good example would be bloodsplatter in the eyes/mouth).

And of course, some people have noted that the mesh fencing is not a great idea. And frankly, it might not be. Of course you should have several exit strategies from your home/base/fortress. I thought that did not need elaboration, but clearly it might. Maybe I'll write an entire book that goes into detail. Maybe something like "The Zombie Survival Guide", under a pen name. Maybe Something Brooks...
The point is, the wire meshing is there for one simple reason: Make sure that the everyday tasks of agricultural life are not interrupted by your arm getting chewed off by the hordes of the undead.
Multiple gates, exits and otherwise ways to get out that zombies will not understand or destroy is a given. The basics of the wire mesh fence (triple layer was mainly an idea, really) is that...
A: It is see-through. You will see zombies in all directions.
B: It is shoot-through.
C: It is not walk-through.
D: You can tell if something's gotten through very easily.

The stilt idea, while decent, provides the simple problem of that whenever you go out during the days to farm (what else are you gonna eat, huh?), there is an element of risk.
The mesh fencing exists for the very basic reason of minimizing that risk.

And finally, if the zombie apocalypse does happen, I'll be holed up in a building somewhat east of Omaha, Nebraska. Find me, and find me fast. I'll keep you alive, see if I don't.

propertyofcobra:

And finally, if the zombie apocalypse does happen, I'll be holed up in a building somewhat east of Omaha, Nebraska. Find me, and find me fast. I'll keep you alive, see if I don't.

Right...I'll need a map and either a lot of driving or walking...I'll have to remember Omaha, Nebraska...fun

I live around the lakes in Tennessee, and most of them are manmade. Over farms. With silos. Taking a boat out to one of those silos would give you Height, Visibility, Concrete Structure, and open space for personal farming.

I'm going to go a bit scientific on this, because it has been in my head a bit (god i'm nerdy...) but if you haven't found enough reason to stay away from big cities yet, read any of the several articles about "what happens when we're gone" for information about how many cities will begin crumbling withing a month. Power will be out, subways will flood, corrosion will then collapse the subways and cause dangerous terrain in the streets, as well as destroying buildings.

Once intelligent humans are gone, animals we've been hunting will begin repopulating (hi wolves), animals we've domesticated will start fading out (bye cows) and anything you think of as 'not a food source' you should begin to see as a food source. This is no time to get squeemish about eating a squirrel, skunk, snake, or someone's beloved pet. Yes, Fluffy the kitty is cute, but Fluffy's owner just tried to bite your arm, I think you can justify eating their cat.

And speaking of food, the initial outbreak will be full of looting and stealing as everyone else hits up the grocery stores, Super Wal-Marts, and other plentiful places of pleasurable foods. If you can, army surplus stores are the way to go. BDUs are tough clothes (i've literally been lifted by my belt during an exercise once), MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) will last longer then you, and are PACKED with nutrition for the active zombie fighter, and weapons that can be used as tools, and tools that can be used as weapons abound.

Once set with a ruckpack, tools, food and weapons, shelter is the next step. If your residence is no good (see big cities) or unsecured, then remote locations are good for 'waiting it out'. But keep in mind, you'll wait a long time for it to be safe. If your goal is to 'gather and grow', then check into your local prison. It's got high fences, large walls, guns, ammo, lots of room, a generator, vehicles, open spaces for farming and they stock food in advance.

And lastly, no matter how dangerous the zombie horde is, your fellow man is always so much more deadly.

Look, I'm pretty sure zombies aren't smart enough to know what an ISP is, let alone take one out.

True, the zombies won't. But when power fails because there's no one to maintain the plants, an ISP will not stay up on our happy thoughts. Blackberries and such would be handy for the start, but eventually the internet will fail, one page at a time.

People are, for the most part, seeming to agree that the Internet will go bye-bye after the outbreak. Maybe not immediately, but without power Yan-Yan is right, one page at a time. However, laptops and other such mobile devices can make networks that are wireless. So if enough people are near each other, or are in such positions they can make a chain of these networks, a psuedo-Internet could still be formed.
Power would still be needed, but solar can charge a laptop just as fast as the more normal (in my area at least) coal power plants.

Melty Blood:
Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

If you're planning on travel, I suggest a large bus or semi for distances, but on top or inside its a good idea to have something like bikes or four-wheelers (that's what there called around here, you may know em as something different.)

Copter400:

Melty Blood:
Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

More than ANY other reason, weight, noise, unreliability, etc. don't use chainsaws because the bloodsplatter, being extreme when using such a weapon, will surely hit your face. If it gets in your eye, or on your lips, it's GAME. OVER.

propertyofcobra:

Copter400:

Melty Blood:
Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

More than ANY other reason, weight, noise, unreliability, etc. don't use chainsaws because the bloodsplatter, being extreme when using such a weapon, will surely hit your face. If it gets in your eye, or on your lips, it's GAME. OVER.

That's what the Ski-Mask was truly, originally made for. Just put one on, and put on some shades, and you'll be set. The other reasons have some ground though...

Copter400:
For Australians, I'd suggest a little trip down to your local Bunning's (in your newly acquired, thank you Mr. Bighter, tank) to stock up on shovels, rebar, bricks, hoes, trolleys, hot dogs, etc.

I'll second that. In particular though, aim to get yourself a nylon-handle axe or pickaxe - even a weak child could swing one of these things effectively, so you have yourself a decent weapon with a bit of reach.

Copter400:

Melty Blood:
Just for my contribution? To any wanna be movie stars; DO NOT BRING A MOTHERFUCKING CHAINSAW. Are we all clear?

Yeah, chainsaws are a little cliched. They also fail at inopportune moments.

What about a lwanmower like in Braindead xD

And for god sakes know the location of your nearest stash of guns, luckily i do, and its in a complex that would be easy to fortify.

Don't be sentimental, if your friend is a zombie, hes not your friend anymore.

The first thing to remember is not to panic. A zombie is less deadly than a human being, and has its strengths only in pain tolerance and numbers. A zombie cannot bite through your head any mre effectively than the human it once was. What we must understand is that conventional combat will not work. All weaponary should have a lot of knockback, or preferably, a high degree of actual destruction. The best tool is, of course, the double barrel shotgun. Failing this, or if Ammo looks to be a problem, you can try grabbing a Cricket Bat, a Golf Club, or (Prefferably) a sledgehammer, aiming at the pelvis. Also, see if the zombies have a primitive fear of fire still. If so, an improvised flamethrower, made from an aer4osol can and a lighter, may prove invaluable.

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

Indigo_Dingo:

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

ABY57:

Indigo_Dingo:

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

However, plate would be hot, noisy, cumbersome, and heavy (especially if you're not trained in its use). Chain is better, but still noisy (remember that the undead have pretty darn good hearing to make up for their poor eyesight). Also, consider that most initial zombie bites don't occur on the head or chest as much as your arms and legs.

So if knight is out, why not rocker? A leather jacket and pants with high laced boots. Easy to move in, but heat is still an issue. Denim can be considered the poor man's substitute. It's breathable and can protect against skin breakage. Leather gloves and boots are still recommended.

ZenMonkey47:

ABY57:

Indigo_Dingo:

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

However, plate would be hot, noisy, cumbersome, and heavy (especially if you're not trained in its use). Chain is better, but still noisy (remember that the undead have pretty darn good hearing to make up for their poor eyesight). Also, consider that most initial zombie bites don't occur on the head or chest as much as your arms and legs.

So if knight is out, why not rocker? A leather jacket and pants with high laced boots. Easy to move in, but heat is still an issue. Denim can be considered the poor man's substitute. It's breathable and can protect against skin breakage. Leather gloves and boots are still recommended.

Your forgetting the fact that a Zombie cannot penetrate a full set of plate armour. Thus, all other issues become rather moot.

I'd have to say, while impregnable, plate mail takes time to to don. Also, knights never put their armor on by themselves, they had squires aid them. If knights, the people this armor was developed for, couldn't do it, I doubt any 21st geek/nerd (face it, if you're posting here you are one) would be hard-pressed to do so.
Also, plate mail (and other armor from that period) couldn't be comfortably or realistically put right on. You'd need multiple layers of other clothes like leather and/or some sort of heavy cloth, under it. This is not practical to put on every day, nor to wear all the time. A person is just as dead whether it be from a zombie or heat-stroke.

If you live in the U.S it's would be a good idea to try to get to Hoover dam. I say this because most power sources will be knocked out within 3 days of z-day because of lack of maintenance (nuclear power plants have an automatic shutdown sequence of they are not maintained for a certain amount of time to prevent meltdowns, for instance) but Hoover dam can operate on its own for at least two years. I don't think I need to tell you how much easier electricity makes it to survive.

Indigo_Dingo:

ZenMonkey47:

ABY57:

Indigo_Dingo:

For ultimate zombie defence, the best bet is a suit of Medieval knights armour, well known for being almost impregnable. While this will cause you to tire easily, total defence means this is no problem.

That's a good idea. Make your way to your local Museum and get yourself a suit of armor, and a katana or sword of some sort. The only problem is being knocked down.The best of armor to get would probably be the boots, gauntlets, chain mail, and perhaps a turtleneck and some type of helmet. Everything should be available at the Museum...That makes plan number 3...or at least a stop on the way to plan number 1.

However, plate would be hot, noisy, cumbersome, and heavy (especially if you're not trained in its use). Chain is better, but still noisy (remember that the undead have pretty darn good hearing to make up for their poor eyesight). Also, consider that most initial zombie bites don't occur on the head or chest as much as your arms and legs.

So if knight is out, why not rocker? A leather jacket and pants with high laced boots. Easy to move in, but heat is still an issue. Denim can be considered the poor man's substitute. It's breathable and can protect against skin breakage. Leather gloves and boots are still recommended.

Your forgetting the fact that a Zombie cannot penetrate a full set of plate armour. Thus, all other issues become rather moot.

Didn't you read that i put that it'd be better to have feet, gauntlets, and then chain, as in chainmail?

Personally, if you've seen the woven plastic they use to make luggage these days, you could actually fashion yourself a nice set of improvised armor out of it. Teeth, nails and bone won't puncture it, and cutting it is very hard without a blade. Getting snags is down right difficult and it's very flexible so it's easy to move around in. With the right weave, you could make it breath in certain spots (under arms, crotch, inner legs, neck) without sacrificing any protection.

Best of all, it's quiet and easy to get a hold of. Any Mall, Department Store, or major retailer will have a department, section or store with potential access, as well as access to the tools to fashion your suit.

Of course, if creating your own armor seems far fetched or over the top, then look for Riot gear on police / prison / military individuals who have fallen. Or go straight to the source from (hopefully) un-looted stations.

Full plate mail is a bad idea. Basically it's heavy, cumbersome, awkward and noisy. And to those who say "so what?", I would like to mention that while one or two zombies may not pose an issue and you would be able to potentially dispatch them (assuming you could swing a weapon, as the finer points of rifle / handgun use is above the dexterity found in a suit of armor), what happens when more then that are alerted to your noisy self? Out run them? Even the slow ones will catch up when you rest, that armor's heavy. Climbing of any sort is out, and the farther you go, the more that will give chase. Eventually, without help, you'll be swarmed and smothered to death in your own suit of armor.

Chainmail is a better option, but yeah, noisy and not very functional. And really, how easy is that to come across from all points? That may work for those people who have a Middle Ages Festival nearby constantly, but from a practical stand point, you'd be better off planning for what you have around you, or is widely available to most people.

A museum is bound to have a suit of armor in it. I don't suggest the whole thing, including the breastplate and all, just the chain mail for chest, neck, and legs, and perhaps boots and gauntlets..Or maybe just chain mail, seeing as no zombie will be getting through that. Riot officer armor is a much better idea though. The shield could work well too, to get through a crowd. Maybe, if, like me, you have a privet air port near by, you could take the plain, and just drive it through the hoards of zombies. Don't try flying, you'll just crash and die. Simply driving it down the streets should suffice, seeing as i don't think any zombie will be able to climb on, and the propellers should chop down anything in front.

Haliwali:
If you're planning on travel, I suggest a large bus or semi for distances, but on top or inside its a good idea to have something like bikes or four-wheelers (that's what there called around here, you may know em as something different.)

Do it in a group, watch each others backs (not to steal but like in RE:A) and don't try to cure, trying to lure in zombies only kills people, killing people is a no-no. plus, I'd think you'd want a small truck or something to and get a roll cage on it and use it for small transport.

You'd want to keep on the move, and have more than one base/fortress/castle/army military base. If you lose one you lose your home, then you'll have to start from scratch.

Cell phones with solar batteries(?) that may be useful for comms.

Let the people who have played FPS's have the guns. I know this sounds stupid, but think about it. A person skilled at Fps's will have experience doing maximum damage with minimum ammo, will be less likely to question the ethics of killing something that was human but won't be again, and know how to provide the maximum protection. Also, use attack dogs for your fort thingy. The virus/infection should under normal circumstances be limitted to human infection only. And an attack dog can kill a normal human, a shambling rotting human will be too easy.

And as for armour, I'll suggest one thing - Kelly's last stand. If you're in Melbourne, make it your business to get to the original. If anything it will make a great basis.

If zombie in question has improved hearing, you could try to overload their senses. Get to a dance club or something, take the sound system, rig it in a truck with a generator, put on some earmuffs, and put on the loudest stuff you have (It helps if you're a headbanger)

Indigo_Dingo:
Let the people who have played FPS's have the guns. I know this sounds stupid, but think about it. A person skilled at Fps's will have experience doing maximum damage with minimum ammo, will be less likely to question the ethics of killing something that was human but won't be again, and know how to provide the maximum protection. Also, use attack dogs for your fort thingy. The virus/infection should under normal circumstances be limitted to human infection only. And an attack dog can kill a normal human, a shambling rotting human will be too easy.

If you're goina get attack dogs, make sure to put them on a reasonably short leash. If a zombie bites the dog, are you sure it won't turn into a zombie dog? Just get a chain leash on it and check on it every now and then so you'll know if you gotta put it down or not. If you have 3 dogs, and 1 is zombified, you'll be left with 3, useless, zombie dogs pretty fast.