What is a Zombie?

[Blackbird]

http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2833&p=1

A nurse, marine specialist, mechinist, martial arts instructor, solar tech, aerospace engineer, mechanical engineer, doctor, contractor, and computer engineer are more than a little convenient.

But you are very right, when it comes to the more sensible and basic skills that help a person survive, many can learn and adapt.

 

[Wifezilla]

Oh, and I also have almost 2 years of solar engineering...just remember how handy I am if TSHTF

 

[Blackbird]

I'll remember 'Zilla!

 

[i_am2bz]

So a lot of people who have multiple skills. Some of the people were a little "convenient", but you really never know what else people can do unless they are put in a situation where they HAVE to do something. KWIM?

Unfortunately, everyone I know is CLUELESS...so really can't be counted on in a real emergency. DH knows carpentry, so that's helpful; I'm the organizer, I know canning, cooking, some sewing, growing vegetables, raising chickens. But as far as making a battery recharger from a tractor engine, & fuel from rotten pig fat (in other words, anything mechanical or imaginative)...we are LOST!!!

 

[Boyd]

um... I can grow stuff, animals like me, i can shoot, bandaids and catgut make up a big part of my 1st aid kit....

A lot of the more hardcore survivalists also advocate being in super shape, loosing all the excess weight etc.. Well.......

I am a statistic. I take BP meds, have a hard time cutting down the weight, can't run 4 miles without puking my guts out... but I can be a very strong mean butthead for about 30 seconds..

You know, I think Skills should be as important as preps n food storage. Having a field surgury kit does nothing if nobody knows how to use it..

Just about everybody can be a shooter, but how many folks know how to re-pack your guts when shot (not I), hotwire a car(Non), or even cook mundane food to stave off food fatigue(meso menos..)? Tangible skills..

Ok, way off topic, not coherent but had to throw that out there...

 

[k0xxx]

In my circle of friends ...

So a lot of people who have multiple skills. Some of the people were a little "convenient", but you really never know what else people can do unless they are put in a situation where they HAVE to do something. KWIM?

My circle of friends are all pretty much like me, old, decrepit, black thumbs, and crotchety. OH NO! We're all gonna die!

 

[Blackbird]

It's ok Boyd, as they say 'You could live off your fat for ten frikkin years!'. Ok, so maybe they don't say that, but I heard it somewhere.

I can cook, hunt, sew, garden, know quite a bit about livestock, wild edibles, and medicinal plants. I know nothing about engines/vehicles and my carpentry skills are pretty crappy though. Those are two things I would like to touch up on.

 

[Wifezilla]

"Everyone's a hero in their own way...you and you and mostly me and you...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yGeroywBuo

 

[Beekissed]

I'm wondering how you folks will grow your foods and keep animals for food when you may have to protect them 24/7. I know you have guns and ammo....many people do.

Could you protect your stores from the US army? In the past, armies just confiscated private stores....could you fight them ALL off?

I read a book once about a nuclear war and some communities and peoples that survived and one group was trying to grow some oats wheat to feed their horses and themselves.

Their guard alerted them to all come running one day and asked, "What do I do?" and pointed towards the field....it was full of extremely emaciated people on their hands and knees eating the grains.

Children, old people, mothers, husbands.....trying to survive on your fields. So hungry. Children crying and barely able to walk from hunger.

Would you shoot them? Would you share, knowing it could mean the death of your clan if you gave into the hungry hoards?

 

[Lady Henevere]

Interesting responses to the question "what's going to cause a zombie invasion." I'm surprised at how varied the responses are. No matter what, the overarching message is clear: The cause matters far less than being prepared for the result. Thanks for your responses -- I really appreciate them.

I think the new season of The Colony has some less elite skills, with a model, a massage therapist, and an artist, for example. It seems like this makes up a more realistic group.

DH and I might make up a decent SS skills team, but I need to learn some emergency medical skills. Either that or I need to be prepared to take in the surgeon and nurse who live across the street.