Time frame: 6 to 24 hours after Outbreak
Phase: Containment
The first six hours after an Outbreak, depending on the strain, can really determine whether you (and humanity) survive. In Resident Evil, the Hive was overrun and had to be sealed off within mere hours. Consider yourself lucky if you haven't encountered a mob of zombies yet because any delay risks you being swarmed out in the open and making the establishment of Containment tenfold more difficult, if not impossible.
Once you are fairly certain that the building is zombie-free, regroup the survivors on the Main level of the building near the Main Entrance. Check if any of the group was injured or appears sick and place them in Quarantine. Check those already in Quarantine to see if any have started to turn. Setting up a secondary Quarantine zone may be necessary. Make sure that both Quarantine zones only have one entry/exit point each and that they are well guarded.
Do an inventory of weapons and distribute them amongst the group the best you can based on ability to utilize the weapon. Those without weapons should scour the building, particularly for defensive weapons. Cabinet doors can be used as make-shift shields. Since there are no zombies in the building, you can seal the Main Entrance as well. Post all long range weapons on the second floor overlooking the Main Entrance. Post 2/3 of the close combat and defensive weapons on the first floor behind the Main Entrance, while the other 1/3 will be posted at a secondary choke point separating the first and second floors. This way, if the Main Entrance is breached, defenders on the first floor can retreat up to the second floor and seal off the first floor. Also, make sure that all other entry points on the first floor are heavily barricaded and cannot be opened. I suggest placing several layers of furniture so that even if the first layer is broken, it doesn't produce a hole in your defenses, but rather a dent.
Since the Main Entrance is now closed, a new entry/exit point should be made overlooking the Main Entrance where the long range weapons are posted. As stated in a previous post (3-6 hours After Outbreak), the optimal size of your group should be between 30-50. If there are still people running around outside and you still haven't hit the 50 count, lower a rope or hose to allow them to enter through the new entrance on the second floor. If you are already over the 50 count, instruct additional survivors to establish a second base in a nearby location, based on the earlier reconnaissance done by Group D. Taking on a group much larger than 50 will cause the group to consume scare resources (such as food) faster than can be gathered as well as make intra-group communication difficult. If saving the additional people are absolutely necessary, take 1/3 of your current weaponry and population to accompany the additional people to establish a base at the secondary location. For the sake of humanity, you must only save people when it doesn't impact the future success of the current group.
Finally, as the First Day comes to a close, get some rest, but ensure that at least 1/3 of the defense remains at their post, rotating in and out with others, so that all gets rest at some point.
Containment Established. Containment Phase Complete.
Third to Sixth Hour After the Outbreak
Time frame: 3 to 6 hours after Outbreak
Phase: Containment
By now, you should have made your way to your selected location to establish Containment, picking up whatever supplies and weapons you could on your way. You should also have picked a back-up location in case your initial choice is infested. As you arrive, quickly assess the situation. If people are running out of the building screaming, it's probably infested by zombies so you should make your way towards your backup location. If they are simply walking about of the building, they may be just evacuating. If you see no one, the building is either overrun or is simply deserted, in which case you'll have to investigate further. Your best bet is if there are people, particularly those who have also initiated the Protocol, waiting in the lobby.
It is important to try to save as many people as is feasibly possible. Remember that the fate of humankind may lie in your hands, as well as other survivors. Population geneticists theorize that the minimum viable population to give the human race a chance for survival is around 500 to 1000 people. A smaller group may not be enough because the population would be susceptible to natural disasters and/or genetic degradation due to inbreeding (lack of genetic randomness). However, it wouldn't be practical to have all 500 people housed in your base during the Containment phase. The group would just run through available resources too quickly. During this phase, try to form a group of up to 50 people and just hope that 10-20 other people throughout the world follow the Protocol and form outposts as well. [Take a moment to forward the Protocol to someone to be prepared for a zombie outbreak: http://zombie-protocol.blogger.com]
Gather the group and do an inventory of available supplies and personnel. Any injured people should be quarantined immediately. Keep an eye out particularly for weapons, flashlights, and communication devices (cell phones, walkie talkies, etc). Divide the group in half: Group A and Group B. Then, divide Group B in half: Group C and Group D. Group A will be in charge barricading all ground level and lower entry points, except for the Main Entrance, which can be closed, but isn't barricaded in case the building needs to be evacuated quickly. Once all entry points have been secured and barricaded, Group A will defend the Main Entrance. Group C will perform a floor by floor search of the building, working from the bottom to the top, barricading entry points, such as windows, and eventually to the roof. One person in Group C will be appointed the "Runner" to warn the rest of the group at the first sign of zombies. Group D will perform reconnaissance of the surrounding area, identifying nearby supplies, potential sources of zombies, and tactical weaknesses of the base. A "Runner" will also have to be appointed for Group D. Unfortunately, if you are alone, or too small of a group, performing these tasks concurrently will be difficult, so perform the tasks in the following order: Task A - secure ground level entry points, Task C - make sure the building isn't infested, and Task D - perform reconnaissance of the surrounding area.
Phase: Containment
By now, you should have made your way to your selected location to establish Containment, picking up whatever supplies and weapons you could on your way. You should also have picked a back-up location in case your initial choice is infested. As you arrive, quickly assess the situation. If people are running out of the building screaming, it's probably infested by zombies so you should make your way towards your backup location. If they are simply walking about of the building, they may be just evacuating. If you see no one, the building is either overrun or is simply deserted, in which case you'll have to investigate further. Your best bet is if there are people, particularly those who have also initiated the Protocol, waiting in the lobby.
It is important to try to save as many people as is feasibly possible. Remember that the fate of humankind may lie in your hands, as well as other survivors. Population geneticists theorize that the minimum viable population to give the human race a chance for survival is around 500 to 1000 people. A smaller group may not be enough because the population would be susceptible to natural disasters and/or genetic degradation due to inbreeding (lack of genetic randomness). However, it wouldn't be practical to have all 500 people housed in your base during the Containment phase. The group would just run through available resources too quickly. During this phase, try to form a group of up to 50 people and just hope that 10-20 other people throughout the world follow the Protocol and form outposts as well. [Take a moment to forward the Protocol to someone to be prepared for a zombie outbreak: http://zombie-protocol.blogger.com]
Gather the group and do an inventory of available supplies and personnel. Any injured people should be quarantined immediately. Keep an eye out particularly for weapons, flashlights, and communication devices (cell phones, walkie talkies, etc). Divide the group in half: Group A and Group B. Then, divide Group B in half: Group C and Group D. Group A will be in charge barricading all ground level and lower entry points, except for the Main Entrance, which can be closed, but isn't barricaded in case the building needs to be evacuated quickly. Once all entry points have been secured and barricaded, Group A will defend the Main Entrance. Group C will perform a floor by floor search of the building, working from the bottom to the top, barricading entry points, such as windows, and eventually to the roof. One person in Group C will be appointed the "Runner" to warn the rest of the group at the first sign of zombies. Group D will perform reconnaissance of the surrounding area, identifying nearby supplies, potential sources of zombies, and tactical weaknesses of the base. A "Runner" will also have to be appointed for Group D. Unfortunately, if you are alone, or too small of a group, performing these tasks concurrently will be difficult, so perform the tasks in the following order: Task A - secure ground level entry points, Task C - make sure the building isn't infested, and Task D - perform reconnaissance of the surrounding area.
First to Third Hour After the Outbreak
Time frame: 1 to 3 hours after Outbreak
Phase: Containment
Depending on the speed of the particular strain that you are dealing with determines how much time you have to establish Containment. First, assess the situation. Has mass hysteria taken over yet? By the end of the 3rd hour, local law enforcement and/or the Army has set up some sort of barrier to try and filter people and prevent the infection from spreading. This will undoubtedly cause bottlenecks of crazed people trying to escape. Try to avoid these areas as people who are panicking tend to act stupidly and may cause your inadvertent death before you even come into contact with an actual zombie. Besides, if they decide to close the gates (or blow up the bridges, ala I am Legend) you would have wasted valuable time waiting in line to get to an area where the infection will eventually reach anyways.
At this point, with all the people stuck at these choke points, the streets may be pretty empty. Beware of panicked people and/or looters, and of course, the zombies. There is no good reason why someone would need to run right at you, so if they do, yell things like "Don't come any closer" and be prepared to defend yourself.
You will now have to determine where you will establish containment (a place to hide). If you have the option, pick a building of medium size to establish your home base. Consider the following points when determining the base:
Once you've decided, start making your way towards your new base. Communicate your coordinates (street intersection, gps coordinates, major landmarks) to your family, friends and soldiers and tell them to meet you there. If you can gain access to a truck or SUV, use that to get to your base. However, ONLY do this if the streets are deserted, otherwise you will just get stuck in traffic. Grab any firearms you can find, but try not to take it from local law enforcement because they will probably just shoot you.
Phase: Containment
Depending on the speed of the particular strain that you are dealing with determines how much time you have to establish Containment. First, assess the situation. Has mass hysteria taken over yet? By the end of the 3rd hour, local law enforcement and/or the Army has set up some sort of barrier to try and filter people and prevent the infection from spreading. This will undoubtedly cause bottlenecks of crazed people trying to escape. Try to avoid these areas as people who are panicking tend to act stupidly and may cause your inadvertent death before you even come into contact with an actual zombie. Besides, if they decide to close the gates (or blow up the bridges, ala I am Legend) you would have wasted valuable time waiting in line to get to an area where the infection will eventually reach anyways.
At this point, with all the people stuck at these choke points, the streets may be pretty empty. Beware of panicked people and/or looters, and of course, the zombies. There is no good reason why someone would need to run right at you, so if they do, yell things like "Don't come any closer" and be prepared to defend yourself.
You will now have to determine where you will establish containment (a place to hide). If you have the option, pick a building of medium size to establish your home base. Consider the following points when determining the base:
- Avoid areas near triages, as they will attract the zombie hordes with the smell of blood.
- Look for buildings that DO NOT have large glass windows in the first 2 floors as this makes defense rather difficult.
- Buildings with access to large quantities of general supplies, such as a mall (ala Dawn of the Dead) or a Wal-Mart, are a huge advantage. Home Depots and other home repair stores are also desirable because it makes building defenses easier.
- The fewer potential entry points there are, the better.
- Taller buildings will offer better vantage points, but buildings that are too large may take too long to secure.
- Look for a structure that has a relatively clear surrounding area, so that approaching zombies can be seen from far away.
- If there have to be nearby buildings, make sure that zombies cannot gain access to your building from adjacent buildings.
- If the city is about to be carpet bombed (a la 28 Weeks Later), find a base that can withstand the blast, or has a bomb shelter.
Once you've decided, start making your way towards your new base. Communicate your coordinates (street intersection, gps coordinates, major landmarks) to your family, friends and soldiers and tell them to meet you there. If you can gain access to a truck or SUV, use that to get to your base. However, ONLY do this if the streets are deserted, otherwise you will just get stuck in traffic. Grab any firearms you can find, but try not to take it from local law enforcement because they will probably just shoot you.
First Hour After the Outbreak
Time frame: 0 to 1 hour after Outbreak
Phase: Containment
I've divided up the Zombie Outbreak Protocol into different phases, the first one being Containment. In terms of an outbreak, the catalyst would be the loss of containment, meaning the protocol begins at the point where things go out of control. The Containment Phase is focused on establishing containment, not of the entire situation or population, but of a subset of the previously contained area which is considered safe.
Let's assume that you have no prior knowledge of this outbreak and are taking action on-the-fly (no prior preparations). Of course, after reading through the Protocol, you may proactively take steps to expedite steps later on and gain a higher chance of survival.
Know what you're dealing with:
Since zombie outbreaks come in all shapes and sizes, it is key to find out as much as you can, as quickly as you can. If news reports indicate that it might be a zombie outbreak, assume it really is a zombie outbreak. Take note of how it is spread (bite vs. airborne) and what weaknesses the infected are exhibiting (adversity to light, decapitation, etc). This information may not be readily available, but keep an ear open while moving on to the next task.
Arm yourself:
Because you don't know where the outbreak started, you have to assume that the risk of attack is imminent and can come from any direction. Quickly grab the nearest close-range weapon within arms reach: knife, scissors, or even umbrella. Scan the nearby area and locate a mid-range swinging blunt object: bat, stick, or pipe. You may have to rely on this for the time being as firearms are probably not readily accessible (unless you live in Texas, or Newark, NJ).
Have others initiate the protocol:
After the first hour, the situation may be in utter chaos (depending on the particular infection you are dealing with), making communication rather difficult. Remember to always keep your cell phones/mobile devices fully charged. You don't know when you will have the luxury of charging it. Contact your closest family members, friends, and lieutenants and tell them to "Initiate the Protocol". The more people that can effectively follow the protocol in the event of an outbreak, the greater chance of survival of the human race.
Phase: Containment
I've divided up the Zombie Outbreak Protocol into different phases, the first one being Containment. In terms of an outbreak, the catalyst would be the loss of containment, meaning the protocol begins at the point where things go out of control. The Containment Phase is focused on establishing containment, not of the entire situation or population, but of a subset of the previously contained area which is considered safe.
Let's assume that you have no prior knowledge of this outbreak and are taking action on-the-fly (no prior preparations). Of course, after reading through the Protocol, you may proactively take steps to expedite steps later on and gain a higher chance of survival.
Know what you're dealing with:
Since zombie outbreaks come in all shapes and sizes, it is key to find out as much as you can, as quickly as you can. If news reports indicate that it might be a zombie outbreak, assume it really is a zombie outbreak. Take note of how it is spread (bite vs. airborne) and what weaknesses the infected are exhibiting (adversity to light, decapitation, etc). This information may not be readily available, but keep an ear open while moving on to the next task.
Arm yourself:
Because you don't know where the outbreak started, you have to assume that the risk of attack is imminent and can come from any direction. Quickly grab the nearest close-range weapon within arms reach: knife, scissors, or even umbrella. Scan the nearby area and locate a mid-range swinging blunt object: bat, stick, or pipe. You may have to rely on this for the time being as firearms are probably not readily accessible (unless you live in Texas, or Newark, NJ).
Have others initiate the protocol:
After the first hour, the situation may be in utter chaos (depending on the particular infection you are dealing with), making communication rather difficult. Remember to always keep your cell phones/mobile devices fully charged. You don't know when you will have the luxury of charging it. Contact your closest family members, friends, and lieutenants and tell them to "Initiate the Protocol". The more people that can effectively follow the protocol in the event of an outbreak, the greater chance of survival of the human race.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
