The Walking Dead, Survival Rule Of The Week: Do NOT Panic

With all its death and chaos, a zombie apocalypse will be terrifying, but, as we’ve learned from Fear The Walking Dead, panicking will NOT solve anything.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve tackled the concept of fear in a zombie apocalypse.

First and foremost, having it is both unavoidable and, as I said two weeks ago, necessary; Secondly, while fear is necessary to survive, when you let it control you, you cross over into something truly terrible: Panic. History has shown us that however bad a situation is, panic can make it infinitely worse.

Why? Because when people panic, they cease to think rationally. When large groups of people do this, destruction and chaos can ensue, and death most assuredly follows. And this is just in a relatively normal circumstance.

In a zombie apocalypse, panic opens up a litany of problems that make this, already a worst-case scenario, somehow, even worse.

As the situation becomes more apparent to the general populous, large swaths of the population begin panicking as they attempt to get away from the dead.

Because of their panic, normal concern for other people will erode. Panicking mobs, running for the nearest means of escape, will trample anyone unfortunate enough to trip, assuming they didn’t knock those they trample down themselves. What do you think happens to those who are trampled when the thing they were running from catch up to them?

Of course, this is but a taste of what panic can cause in a zombie outbreak.

When things (Inevitably) break down, the mob will descend on stores and shopping centers, looting them for necessary supplies, afraid that doing anything but will take too much time, and expose them to the dead for longer.

Of course, because people are greedy, criminals will take advantage of this, stealing things that they definitely don’t need to survive zombies…like a plasma TV.

On top of that, assuming the panicking mobs haven’t done so already, the criminal looters and other malcontents will use the opportunity to riot, set fires, destroy cars and buildings, and attack whoever they please. Just imagine what happens when the zombies catch up to that mess.

Even if they don’t trample people, a panicking mobs’ attempts to flee can devolve into a disaster quickly.

With more and more of the world’s population living in cities, it means that a larger portion of the populace lives in relatively cramped places.

Once people in those cities realize what’s happening, as many as possible will attempt to flee as soon as possible. This means every bridge, tunnel, and highway will become congested with panicked civilians.

Now, anyone who’s lived near even a relatively major city can tell you how just one accident on a highway, bridge, or tunnel can petrify traffic for miles. This is, of course, when there is full access to emergency services that can help clear the road; In a zombie apocalypse, that won’t be there, they’ll have other problems to deal with.

With all of that being said…what do you do?

Well, first of all, you need to realize that, while you can control your reaction, the same can’t be said for everyone else. Chances are, the vast majority of the people around you will panic, and turn your nearby city and everything in the surrounding area into chaos. With all of that craziness around you, you need to be the stable one, because no one else will do it for you.

You need to keep a clear head. The biggest problem with panic is that it stops you from thinking rationally. When you do this, you don’t think ahead and you don’t make good decisions.

What you need to do is assess the situation. If you see people panicking around you, you need to assume that’s how it is everywhere. You need to avoid areas where large groups of people may flee: Along with highways, bridges, and tunnels, you should avoid airports, subways, and train terminals; In fact, avoid all mass transit.

Then, you need to come up with a plan and a backup plan. If you think hunkering down until the panic and rioting dies down, fine, but, be prepared in the event things go sideways on you.

Conversely, if you plan to flee, great, but, remember: Don’t go the ways the majority of people are going to escape, and, be prepared for your path to be blocked and think of alternate escape routes.

Incidentally, this seems like a good time to warn you that if you get some kind of clue about what’s happening, get as many supplies as you can before the looting starts. While the criminals may not bother with the essentials, the stores and surrounding areas will quickly fill with hordes of zombies. You’ll need to wait them out for some time before getting what the looters left behind is viable.

Things like batteries, water, food, tools (Which can double as weapons), light bulbs, medical supplies, bullets, all of these things you should grab before the panic sets in. You don’t want to be caught in a store when the mobs or the dead arrive.

Bottom line: While a zombie apocalypse will be terrifying, you can’t let that terror get the best of you.

When the apocalypse hits, you will see what evil that terror can wreak. Panicking mobs will turn their attempts to get supplies or to get help into full-blown riots. They will trample other people like stampeding cattle and make them easy prey for the dead.

You need to be smarter. You have to think ahead, plan an escape route and get supplies before the mobs form. Most importantly, you must stay calm. Only by staying cool and having a clear head will you even have a chance of surviving.

Whatever you do, do not panic.

Next: The Walking Dead, Survival Rule Of The Week: Hold it together

And that’s our survival rule of the week!! Hopefully, it will help you should you ever need it and give you that mental edge that will prove so crucial once the dead start eating everyone.

If you like this and want to find out more rules to survive the zombie apocalypse, why not pick up a copy of my book, The Rules: A Guide To Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse! You can get it on Kindle here and on iTunes here!