The Zombie Apocalypse might sound like an ideal chance to eliminate your debts and catch up on reading 28 Years Later, but surviving in undead-infested wastelands isn’t a walk in the park.

When the Danny Boyle film debuted, we spoke with survival experts and professional preppers about what to do—and what not to do—and gathered their tips on navigating an apocalypse scenario. After all, the zombie apocalypse feels less like fiction now than it did a few years ago.

Stay Safe at Home

John Rammy, founder of The Prevent, a Survivalist Company, advises against investing in a bunker. “Instead of focusing on bunkers,” he explains,

“we should concentrate on reinforcing our current homes and communities. It’s essential that your doors can withstand multiple kicks. Your home is your fortress, providing a secure space during emergencies.”

He encourages contemplating how long one could stay inside their home. “If I had to lock myself in right now, how long could I last?” he asks.

“The initial goal should be a two-week supply, covering most emergencies like natural disasters. Some go further and prepare to last for six months. Personally, I am prepared to survive indefinitely, as I can grow food, find water, and purify it.”

Essential Supplies

As frightening as it sounds, being unprepared means being vulnerable. According to Ramey, stocking up on essential gear is crucial. “Consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: food, water, health, and communication,” he notes.

“First aid supplies are essential. Have sanitary products available—can you clean yourself properly? Water storage is vital. Generally, aim for one gallon of water per day.

“In the long run, do you know how to collect and store water? Make sure you have purification systems like filters or UV purifiers to ensure you can drink safely from natural sources.”

It’s also crucial to have a “bugout bag,” a pack of essential supplies ready for quick evacuation. Cameron Carlson, a survival expert and member of the Zombie Research Association, suggests the following items:

“Waterproof matches, an emergency blanket, a sleeping bag, freeze-dried food, a flashlight, batteries, a solar radio, a water purifier, a camping stove, a knife, a firearm, and a medical kit.”

“A useful tip is to include steel wool and a 9-volt battery. Touching the battery to the steel wool can ignite it, and steel wool is compact and lightweight.”

Ramey also recommends bicycles. “The bicycle is the ultimate bug-out vehicle,” he states. “It’s the most efficient human-powered machine ever made.

“Whenever experts watch The Walking Dead, one common complaint is that after eight years, people are still relying on gasoline vehicles. Gasoline tends to expire in six months. Though additives can extend its life, finding usable gasoline within a year can be challenging.”

Essential Skills

Having supplies is of no use if you lack the skills to utilize them effectively.

“Core skills include first aid and understanding how to treat injuries,” Ramey explains.

“Consider characters like Daryl from The Walking Dead. If he suffered an injury from a crossbow bolt, would you know how to assist? Modern society is advanced, yet we’ve lost centuries of survival skills over just a single century.”

“Many of our grandparents possessed at least rudimentary knowledge of treating wounds. Even standard first aid courses typically assume you can call for help—there’s often an expectation for emergency services to arrive promptly.”

Outdoor survival skills are equally vital. “Additionally,” Ramey adds, “many people no longer know how to navigate without technology. There’s a phenomenon known as ‘death by GPS.’ So, do you know how to read a map? Can you start a fire? Can you build a shelter for winter?

“Less obvious yet essential skills include conflict resolution and situational awareness. Are you aware of your surroundings? Do you know how to defuse a tense situation without resorting to violence?”

Where to Seek Refuge

There may come a time when you need to leave your home in search of safety. But where should you head?

If you’re in New York or London during a zombie apocalypse, you might want to head to the countryside, away from the crowds, Rammy suggests. “Yet even in such a scenario, isolation may become undesirable, as community becomes essential.”

“Community cooperation generally proves more beneficial than the stereotype of the lone wolf wandering off into the sunset with a shotgun slung over their shoulder.”

The prevailing belief that humanity will descend into chaos after an apocalyptic event is challenged by Michał Zalewski, author of A Practical Ending: A User’s Guide to the End of the World, who argues against this notion.

“Most individuals will likely suffer in silence rather than harming innocents,” he asserts. “The real danger during times of uncertainty is the tendency to react against ‘outgroups.’ However, in a zombie scenario, we have a defined enemy.

“And as we slow down, we are not machines. We need rest and recuperation. It’s impossible to master every necessary survival skill against every potential disaster.”

Dealing with Zombies

What about the zombies themselves? According to zombie aficionado Cameron Carlson, it all hinges on their nature—whether they’re fast and rabid (think 28 Days Later) or sluggish (like in The Walking Dead).

“If they are fast, there’s no outrunning them,” he admits. “Stealth becomes imperative, enabling you to maneuver away from their line of sight. If faced with fast-moving zombies, tactics are essential.”

“Against slower zombies, your main task is evasion.”

Carlson also suggests utilizing dogs for their acute sense of smell, which is superior to ours. “Dogs serve as excellent early warning systems. If your dog starts acting oddly—growling, showing teeth, or restlessly pacing—it’s a signal that something’s wrong.

Interestingly, a significant contrast exists between the UK’s and the US’s gun ownership cultures. How might this affect survival outcomes in a zombie apocalypse?

“It has its pros and cons,” Rammy states. “In cases where zombies are approaching, having a shotgun could be your last line of defense. In that sense, American gun culture provides certain advantages.

“However, it also means that in a society breaking down, many people will be armed. We’ve witnessed over the past two years that even during milder emergencies, a significant portion of the population can become erratic and difficult to manage. So, it’s a double-edged sword.”