When and if a Zombie outbreak takes place, is it better to batten down the hatches and stay put or grab your B.O.B. and go?

Like most Zombie questions, the answer  is situational, but for the purpose of this article we will assume you’ve chosen to be on the move.

What to take with you: Grab your Bug Out Bag (B.O.B.) and go. If you aren’t sure what a B.O.B. is, it’s a basic set of emergency supplies nested in a backpack for easy transport. You can put one together for yourself using our Bug Out Bag (B.O.B.) guide or you can purchase one through a number of online retailers, but it’s best to build your own.

Your BOB will be your best friend when surviving on the move. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Keep well-stocked with water and food when possible, add useful items as you find them (extra batteries, wire, medical supplies, etc), but take only what you need. You can quickly weigh yourself down if you take everything you come across “just in case you might use it”.

What kind of transport to use: After a major disaster or Zombie outbreak, many roads and thoroughfares may be blocked, highly damaged, or traveled by other survivors who may or may not be friendly (hope for the best, but always assume the worst), and Zombies themselves. Traveling by foot allows you heightened mobility, exploration options, stealth, and easy over-land travel; this is the best option for most situations.

When traveling by motor-vehicle, maintenance, fuel, and size can all be detrimental to your mobility. But in wide open areas outside city limits a well-maintained motor vehicle may be your best choice for short distances. If you do choose to travel by motor vehicle look for a sturdy car with plenty of room for supplies. Fuel will be difficult to come by, so stock and take with you what you can.

The inability to quickly access weapons and supplies, not to mention complicated maintenance, removes roller-blades/skates, skateboards, pogo-sticks, and unicycles from the mix… so your left with bicycles as one last option.

See also: Bug Out Bike – The Benefit Of Two Wheels

Where to go: Head out-of-town and to a remote place as quickly as possible. This is where maps and compasses come in handy. Pick a location, map it out with way-points, and make it your goal to get to a new way-point each day until you reach your final destination. Choose a location that has water, plant-life, and possibly game. Avoid densely populated areas, such as cities, at all times.

Although traveling at night allows you anonymity, it makes movement through rough terrain much harder and increases the chances of unseen threats. We recommend traveling in the daylight because it allows for greater awareness of your surroundings, but keep in mind that it also makes you more visible to outside forces. Check your surroundings constantly for signs and sounds of other travelers and threats.

Trust your instincts; if you come to an area that seems dangerous, it is better to back up, find another way around, and start again than to risk putting yourself in greater danger. Whenever possible, avoid dead ends, tight alleyways, bridges, tunnels, and freeways.

Stay away from churches, schools, government buildings, hospitals, malls, and other places where people congregate. When entering a new area or building, survey the surroundings; look for dangers like Zombies, aggressive survivors, fires, failing structures, etc. It’s important that every area and building you enter has at least two ways in and out, you never know when you might need to make a last-minute escape.

Secure a location for overnight stays before the sun begins to set, it can mean the difference between life and death. Look for buildings that can be easily secured and that are off the beaten path. It’s better to walk a block into a neighborhood to sleep for the night than to hole up in a grocery store that might get raided while you sleep. Look for signs of current inhabitants: warm ashes from a fire, makeshift camps, food that isn’t spoiled, etc; block and/or lock all entrances when you are sure that the area is clear of any dangers; check your supplies and remain quiet. Avoid lighting fires and using lights at night whenever possible, they are signals to others that you are where you are and the last thing you want to do is attract attention to your whereabouts.

See also: Survival Maps, Survive In Place and Survive On The Move

In conclusion: Keep moving, stay hidden, have a destination, and stay alive.

*While the items and techniques described in this article could undoubtedly be helpful in the event of a Zombie outbreak or emergency situation, Zombease and the Zombease crew do not guarantee survival based upon the advice given in this article.