Comments on: 5 Reasons Super Shopping Centers Make for Good Zombie Defense Locations http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/ Look Dead Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:44:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: GonzoTheBurner http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-120763 GonzoTheBurner Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:38:34 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-120763 I think if you are at a place like walmart during the outbreak, it's best to @ least try and fortify the bitch. Some one can rally the people together, if not you, to get work done. Panic will make most people compliant enough to follow orders from anyone with confidence and a plan. You would be surprised at how many people will shirk responsibility, even for their own welfare, in favor of rolling over and dying. The majority always hopes that someone else will step up to the plate. I say your biggest problem will be trying to barricade the weak points with frantic people trying at the same time, to escape and save their granparents, kids, puppies, precious belongings and what not. Designate a rear entrance for those assholes to leave out of and barricade the large points- of course if everyone leaves, you should too! Make sure you have the balls to "take care of" the troublesome people- such as the sadists, those only concerned with looting and "helping themselves" and people who are histerical. Even put together, these should make up a minority of the population. Save yourself the trouble, and the livesof others, and get rid of these people at the getgo. They will be the easiest to identify. They will not be well liked, unproductive and annoy the hell out of you. These individuals are Z-Day threats, just as fire, starvation and infection. They will kill people. There are tons of other things I could discuss, but most everyone has the same idea. Another cool thing about large commercial buildings now adays are the skylights they have that help the businesses alieviate energy consumption costs. This means you can poke around during the day without have torches and lights when the power goes out. Anyhow, the point being, if you are there already, start pushing shopping carts and soda machines in front of the doors. If you are not at walmart, stay away from walmart. It will be hard to do with their selection and extra low prices, but fight the urge. "Damn you Sam Walton, why you leave us? Why you have tuh go en die and leave the Walmart to Satan?" -Disgruntled customer I think if you are at a place like walmart during the outbreak, it’s best to @ least try and fortify the bitch. Some one can rally the people together, if not you, to get work done. Panic will make most people compliant enough to follow orders from anyone with confidence and a plan. You would be surprised at how many people will shirk responsibility, even for their own welfare, in favor of rolling over and dying. The majority always hopes that someone else will step up to the plate.

I say your biggest problem will be trying to barricade the weak points with frantic people trying at the same time, to escape and save their granparents, kids, puppies, precious belongings and what not. Designate a rear entrance for those assholes to leave out of and barricade the large points- of course if everyone leaves, you should too!

Make sure you have the balls to “take care of” the troublesome people- such as the sadists, those only concerned with looting and “helping themselves” and people who are histerical. Even put together, these should make up a minority of the population. Save yourself the trouble, and the livesof others, and get rid of these people at the getgo. They will be the easiest to identify. They will not be well liked, unproductive and annoy the hell out of you. These individuals are Z-Day threats, just as fire, starvation and infection. They will kill people.

There are tons of other things I could discuss, but most everyone has the same idea.

Another cool thing about large commercial buildings now adays are the skylights they have that help the businesses alieviate energy consumption costs. This means you can poke around during the day without have torches and lights when the power goes out.

Anyhow, the point being, if you are there already, start pushing shopping carts and soda machines in front of the doors. If you are not at walmart, stay away from walmart. It will be hard to do with their selection and extra low prices, but fight the urge.

“Damn you Sam Walton, why you leave us? Why you have tuh go en die and leave the Walmart to Satan?”

-Disgruntled customer

]]> By: R scary http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-116242 R scary Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:22:53 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-116242 Here is my thought it sounds like a good plan but here is the flaw Everyone else with a heart beat is going to have the same plan Here is my thought

it sounds like a good plan but here is the flaw

Everyone else with a heart beat is going to have the same plan

]]> By: Zed's Dead http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-112439 Zed's Dead Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:13:48 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-112439 This very question has plagued my mind for a long time. Wal-Mart would certainly carry just about all the supplies one would need: guns, ammo (a shit load of ammo if you want to be scientific about it), clothes, and just about every kind of canned/boxed/ready-to-eat food you can think of. But is it worth the risk and are there better alternatives? Some very important questions need to be asked: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and HOW. WHEN - More than anything we need to know when the best time is to go to a Super Center. Do you want to rush there immediately and hope the infection hasn't gotten out of hand yet? Or, do you wait until everything has settled down a bit and then try to sneak in? If you go right away you have to contend with the panicking masses and frantic drivers trying to get there and loot the entire place. If one person were to be infected you would never know until it was too late. Control of the situation is key and when people are running around in a state of panic control is simply impossible. So then it would seem the best choice is waiting out the initial threat and try to go in to scavenge what you can when you can better control the situation. WHO - When you're in a situation like this, you never want to split up, so the question is not who will you take with you, but who will you meet when you get there, and what to do about them. It isn't a stretch of the imagination to think that somebody else may have ventured out in search of supplies at the local Wal-Mart. If you're lucky their may already be people there, holding down the fort. Now you can combine forces and improve your chances of survival. But, let's say that these people are either ill equipped and are more likely to get you killed than lend you a hand. Then you have to decide whether you're going to try and take charge and remedy the situation or try to gather a few things and go on your way. Of course, the people already there will probably resent you for trying to take "their" supplies and may not give it up without a fight. This will require a heart warming monologue inspiring man's charitable nature and general good-natured cooperation, OR a quick and tactically maneuvered coup that will elevate you to your new position as lord of the flies. Alternatively you could just leave empty-handed and worse off than you were (less gas and no immediate cover). Of course the place could be deserted, with the very real possibility of Zombies shambling about. Now you're faced with the task of clearing the place while searching for supplies. This can be seriously risky. In a place as large as Wal-Mart, it is almost a certainty that you will miss one or two potential hiding spots for the infected to lurk. In this case you want everyone to stick together, have exactly the items you need in mind, and make a cautious but speedy run down the aisles grabbing what you need (and ONLY what you need. The newest Harry Potter book is not essential to survival. In fact, if you do go looking for Harry Potter I hope you do get eaten. One less person in the world that has no idea what a decent sci-fi/fantasy book is. But i digress). Once you have your shopping cart loaded with everything you need, make a break for the exit and keep a sharp eye out for those Zeds lurking in the shadows. You may be tempted to try and turn the store into your fortress, but you are about 90% guaranteed to lose at least one party member to hidden infected. Are you willing to take the chance that it could be you? These are your basic scenarios, though actual results may vary. WHAT - Now I'll go into detail of what it is you're looking for. You came all this way, you better be damned sure it's worth it. Food: anything you can eat without heating is absolutely great. Depending on how long it's been, there will probably be some bread left that hasn't molded. Canned beans work, just be sure you have some way of opening them (can opener would be a good idea). Beef jerky will save your life, take it all. Anything sealed and unrefrigerated will probably do. Oh, and try not to forget the little things like WATER. Gear: Be sure you are well armed. Wal-Mart has an entire hunting section. Take a side arm for everyone and enough ammo to last you. Be sure to have at least one or two heavier weapons, like a rifle or shotgun. A good knife is a must. I don't mean a multi-tool, though they certainly can be useful, I'm talking about a real survival knife. Something that you can cut shit with, not just whittle a stick. Clothes: You probably aren't going to have a whole lot of opportunity to wash your clothes in the following weeks so several changes will be nice. If you have any blood-stained clothes now is the time to get rid of them and exchange them for a fresh set. Be sure to get blankets for the night. Towels can come in handy as any Douglas Adams fan will tell you. Socks. If you've ever watched survivor man you will know how important fresh socks are. If you lose your foot to a nasty fungus, your brains will soon follow. That brings me to shoes. If there are ladies with you wearing some sort of ridiculously unpractical foot wear like flip flops or heals, get them some running shoes. WHERE - This one is easy. What's the closest place that will stock what you need? That's where you want to go. If you have options, pick the place that will involve the least risk of getting in and out. HOW - Well this is where it all comes down to isn't it? How. Well hopefully if you've gotten this far you've been paying attention. The most important thing is that you have a plan, stay together, and keep your cool. If it seems to risky, then it probably is. All the supplies in the world aren't going to do you any good if you get bitten. Learn some tactical formations that SWAT teams use. When they clear a house they have a systematic approach that allows them to keep their lives in hostile situations. This is what you want to emulate. Above all, stay in control. Well that's all for my lengthy thoughts. Be aware that my section on "WHAT" was shortened. For a full list of gear, you should check other posts in this section as well as the Mobile Zombie Preparedness Kit. This very question has plagued my mind for a long time. Wal-Mart would certainly carry just about all the supplies one would need: guns, ammo (a shit load of ammo if you want to be scientific about it), clothes, and just about every kind of canned/boxed/ready-to-eat food you can think of. But is it worth the risk and are there better alternatives? Some very important questions need to be asked: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and HOW.

WHEN - More than anything we need to know when the best time is to go to a Super Center. Do you want to rush there immediately and hope the infection hasn’t gotten out of hand yet? Or, do you wait until everything has settled down a bit and then try to sneak in? If you go right away you have to contend with the panicking masses and frantic drivers trying to get there and loot the entire place. If one person were to be infected you would never know until it was too late. Control of the situation is key and when people are running around in a state of panic control is simply impossible. So then it would seem the best choice is waiting out the initial threat and try to go in to scavenge what you can when you can better control the situation.

WHO - When you’re in a situation like this, you never want to split up, so the question is not who will you take with you, but who will you meet when you get there, and what to do about them. It isn’t a stretch of the imagination to think that somebody else may have ventured out in search of supplies at the local Wal-Mart. If you’re lucky their may already be people there, holding down the fort. Now you can combine forces and improve your chances of survival. But, let’s say that these people are either ill equipped and are more likely to get you killed than lend you a hand. Then you have to decide whether you’re going to try and take charge and remedy the situation or try to gather a few things and go on your way. Of course, the people already there will probably resent you for trying to take “their” supplies and may not give it up without a fight. This will require a heart warming monologue inspiring man’s charitable nature and general good-natured cooperation, OR a quick and tactically maneuvered coup that will elevate you to your new position as lord of the flies. Alternatively you could just leave empty-handed and worse off than you were (less gas and no immediate cover).
Of course the place could be deserted, with the very real possibility of Zombies shambling about. Now you’re faced with the task of clearing the place while searching for supplies. This can be seriously risky. In a place as large as Wal-Mart, it is almost a certainty that you will miss one or two potential hiding spots for the infected to lurk. In this case you want everyone to stick together, have exactly the items you need in mind, and make a cautious but speedy run down the aisles grabbing what you need (and ONLY what you need. The newest Harry Potter book is not essential to survival. In fact, if you do go looking for Harry Potter I hope you do get eaten. One less person in the world that has no idea what a decent sci-fi/fantasy book is. But i digress). Once you have your shopping cart loaded with everything you need, make a break for the exit and keep a sharp eye out for those Zeds lurking in the shadows. You may be tempted to try and turn the store into your fortress, but you are about 90% guaranteed to lose at least one party member to hidden infected. Are you willing to take the chance that it could be you? These are your basic scenarios, though actual results may vary.

WHAT - Now I’ll go into detail of what it is you’re looking for. You came all this way, you better be damned sure it’s worth it.
Food: anything you can eat without heating is absolutely great. Depending on how long it’s been, there will probably be some bread left that hasn’t molded. Canned beans work, just be sure you have some way of opening them (can opener would be a good idea). Beef jerky will save your life, take it all. Anything sealed and unrefrigerated will probably do. Oh, and try not to forget the little things like WATER.
Gear: Be sure you are well armed. Wal-Mart has an entire hunting section. Take a side arm for everyone and enough ammo to last you. Be sure to have at least one or two heavier weapons, like a rifle or shotgun. A good knife is a must. I don’t mean a multi-tool, though they certainly can be useful, I’m talking about a real survival knife. Something that you can cut shit with, not just whittle a stick.
Clothes: You probably aren’t going to have a whole lot of opportunity to wash your clothes in the following weeks so several changes will be nice. If you have any blood-stained clothes now is the time to get rid of them and exchange them for a fresh set. Be sure to get blankets for the night. Towels can come in handy as any Douglas Adams fan will tell you. Socks. If you’ve ever watched survivor man you will know how important fresh socks are. If you lose your foot to a nasty fungus, your brains will soon follow. That brings me to shoes. If there are ladies with you wearing some sort of ridiculously unpractical foot wear like flip flops or heals, get them some running shoes.

WHERE - This one is easy. What’s the closest place that will stock what you need? That’s where you want to go. If you have options, pick the place that will involve the least risk of getting in and out.

HOW - Well this is where it all comes down to isn’t it? How. Well hopefully if you’ve gotten this far you’ve been paying attention. The most important thing is that you have a plan, stay together, and keep your cool. If it seems to risky, then it probably is. All the supplies in the world aren’t going to do you any good if you get bitten. Learn some tactical formations that SWAT teams use. When they clear a house they have a systematic approach that allows them to keep their lives in hostile situations. This is what you want to emulate. Above all, stay in control.

Well that’s all for my lengthy thoughts. Be aware that my section on “WHAT” was shortened. For a full list of gear, you should check other posts in this section as well as the Mobile Zombie Preparedness Kit.

]]> By: sofa+pizza=happy http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-107530 sofa+pizza=happy Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:37:23 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-107530 You need a car to get to mine but its a bad place for zombies, because of so many levals, you could just kick one in the face and 50 would fall over. also there are guns in the place sub machinegus, sniper rifles, shotguns, bows and arrows , and of course my 2 favirite weapons of all time. Lorries and urinals. You need a car to get to mine but its a bad place for zombies, because of so many levals, you could just kick one in the face and 50 would fall over. also there are guns in the place sub machinegus, sniper rifles, shotguns, bows and arrows , and of course my 2 favirite weapons of all time. Lorries and urinals.

]]> By: maratuzero http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-95322 maratuzero Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:24:42 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-95322 I work at a BJ's(bulk food membership type of place) and it can be very easily secured. there's only two ways in, the loading docks in back and the front entrance that has large stutter doors( no need to waste time building a front line barricade, but a second line inside the shutters would be one of the first things i did after i was sure the building was secure) the back entrance at the loading docks has a security station that needs to buzz you in to get thought a second inside door(before you get through the second door your basically in a chain-link box. there are no windows with the exception off some skylights. the place is basically a warehouse so you could easily setup a second level safe zone up in the the storage racks above the products at sale level. if you've ever been to a store like this or have seen Employee of the Month you know what i mean. You also have every thing you need to survive for an extended period of time(food, clothing, weapons, entertainment). Think, the warehouse they keep all the stuff you'd find in a mall. I work at a BJ’s(bulk food membership type of place) and it can be very easily secured. there’s only two ways in, the loading docks in back and the front entrance that has large stutter doors( no need to waste time building a front line barricade, but a second line inside the shutters would be one of the first things i did after i was sure the building was secure) the back entrance at the loading docks has a security station that needs to buzz you in to get thought a second inside door(before you get through the second door your basically in a chain-link box. there are no windows with the exception off some skylights. the place is basically a warehouse so you could easily setup a second level safe zone up in the the storage racks above the products at sale level. if you’ve ever been to a store like this or have seen Employee of the Month you know what i mean. You also have every thing you need to survive for an extended period of time(food, clothing, weapons, entertainment). Think, the warehouse they keep all the stuff you’d find in a mall.

]]> By: Robob http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-92601 Robob Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:15:41 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-92601 I'm not sure if it's been said yet or not, but, if you DO end up in somewhere like Wal-Mart during an outbreak, even if you've got it fortified against zeds, your green zone on the roof, all that, you've still got to remember, an outbreak will spread chaos. People are going to go literally CRAZY. There may be some survivors out there that are against you, for no reason other than you're in a secure location and they're not. I really don't know what else to say, I just think it's a bad idea due to the widespread panic there would be. I’m not sure if it’s been said yet or not, but, if you DO end up in somewhere like Wal-Mart during an outbreak, even if you’ve got it fortified against zeds, your green zone on the roof, all that, you’ve still got to remember, an outbreak will spread chaos. People are going to go literally CRAZY. There may be some survivors out there that are against you, for no reason other than you’re in a secure location and they’re not. I really don’t know what else to say, I just think it’s a bad idea due to the widespread panic there would be.

]]> By: Madmaxogle http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-59352 Madmaxogle Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:39:37 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-59352 A super department store would be hell on earth during a crisis.As far as barricading it for defense.What happens when the entire town is dead and you have 100,000 zombies at your door?I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in a damn Walmart. Like someone said earlier,hit a Cabellas,or surplus store.Suv's are a bad idea for vehicle though whoever said that.Way too top heavy.A few zeds can flip you over easy and running over a bunch of them will only make you flip or bust your radiator. A super department store would be hell on earth during a crisis.As far as barricading it for defense.What happens when the entire town is dead and you have 100,000 zombies at your door?I definitely wouldn’t want to be stuck in a damn Walmart. Like someone said earlier,hit a Cabellas,or surplus store.Suv’s are a bad idea for vehicle though whoever said that.Way too top heavy.A few zeds can flip you over easy and running over a bunch of them will only make you flip or bust your radiator.

]]> By: zack http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-46891 zack Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:00:10 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-46891 I don't think so. use a flamethrower on a zombie and I guess all you get is a burning (but still capable of infecting, zombie) I don’t think so. use a flamethrower on a zombie and I guess all you get is a burning (but still capable of infecting, zombie)

]]> By: Aaron http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-12331 Aaron Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:36:06 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-12331 I have a question? If zombies came and you were to run out of food, would you be able to eat the Zombie. because if you were to cook the meat it would sterilize the meat, but would it get rid of the virus! I have been pondering this for a long time and would like to know the answer. I have a question? If zombies came and you were to run out of food, would you be able to eat the Zombie. because if you were to cook the meat it would sterilize the meat, but would it get rid of the virus! I have been pondering this for a long time and would like to know the answer.

]]> By: Bwomp http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-11342 Bwomp Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:56:30 +0000 http://www.zombiesarecoming.com/2007/12/05/5-reasons-super-shopping-centers-make-for-good-zombie-defense-locations/#comment-11342 Only a couple of people have thought about the "no power" issue. Generators are great, but they require fuel of some sort. I have never seen a super center of any kind that has the gas station attached to the main store. Unless you can get ALL the fuel into the store from the start of the outbreak it will be useless. Sure there are small 1 gallon and 5 gallon containers to fill...but by the time you realise what is happening and try to fill these it'll be too late. Also power is needed to run the pumps. Once word gets out on what is happening anarchy and chaos will reign supreme. Going to one of these stores will be on everyone elses mind also. Traffic will gridlock. People will destroy stuff just to be doing it. Your best bet is to have a secure place already. If not, then be prepared to travel to find an isolated area. Preferably out in the rural areas. If you look at some rural areas..they are divided by fences or natural barriers..with usually a driveway connected to the road as an open entrance. Less population = less walking dead...for now. More fencing and natural barriers = more protection...for now. All of this depends on what "type" of zombie there is. Fast movers will ruin your day and also decrease your chances of survival exponentially. Slow movers make things easier. Only a couple of people have thought about the “no power” issue. Generators are great, but they require fuel of some sort. I have never seen a super center of any kind that has the gas station attached to the main store. Unless you can get ALL the fuel into the store from the start of the outbreak it will be useless. Sure there are small 1 gallon and 5 gallon containers to fill…but by the time you realise what is happening and try to fill these it’ll be too late. Also power is needed to run the pumps.
Once word gets out on what is happening anarchy and chaos will reign supreme. Going to one of these stores will be on everyone elses mind also. Traffic will gridlock. People will destroy stuff just to be doing it.
Your best bet is to have a secure place already. If not, then be prepared to travel to find an isolated area. Preferably out in the rural areas. If you look at some rural areas..they are divided by fences or natural barriers..with usually a driveway connected to the road as an open entrance. Less population = less walking dead…for now. More fencing and natural barriers = more protection…for now. All of this depends on what “type” of zombie there is. Fast movers will ruin your day and also decrease your chances of survival exponentially. Slow movers make things easier.

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