MAP: How to survive the zombie apocalypse in Brandon

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This article was published 31/10/2013 (4447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If the unthinkable happens — if shambling zombies rise from the dead and begin to attack the living — it would be best if you were prepared.

It won’t matter whether they are the slow zombies made famous by George A. Romero in 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead,” or if they are the terrifying modern fast zombies envisioned in Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later.” It won’t matter whether they moan “Braaaiiiiins” or if they shuffle with their arms outstretched.

It won’t even matter if they breakdance like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

What will matter is if you are prepared.

The classic text, of course, is Max Brooks’ “Zombie Survival Guide.”

You should buy it. But if hordes of the undead are already out and about, and all you have is this page, here goes some quick Brandon-specific advice:

In the early stages of an outbreak, infected patients will likely be rushed to the hospital, where unsuspecting doctors and nurses will be sitting ducks. Stay away.

The Assiniboine River and the main rail line (especially if it is lined with a train) are excellent barriers against zombies. Retreat to the north end of Brandon.

The Brandon Correctional Centre looks tempting, but it wouldn’t be a very fun place to live.

Instead, try the Corral Centre as your base. Sure, in the long run, its bottom-of-the-hill location makes it vulnerable to roving gangs, but you can’t beat it for supplies. There’s even a natural nearby spring.

Fortify it as best you can, and start thinking about the future.

After all, you can hunker down for a while, but in a battle of attrition, the zombies will win.

Eventually, your band of survivors is going to need to turn to agriculture as the struggle to rebuild society begins. That requires safe fields to till and animal husbandry.

Can’t do that with zombies everywhere.

» ghamilton@brandonsun.com

 

DIGITAL MAP: How to survive the zombie apocalypse in Brandon

 

Stages of a Zombie Apocalypse:

1. INFECTION

Patient Zero could be anybody, anywhere. Why not Brandon?

If it happens here first, the initial victims will likely be rushed to the Brandon Regional Health Centre, making it the epicentre of the epidemic.

YOU: Get the heck away from the hospital.

2. SPREAD

Pandemonium as zombies rush the streets and people flee. The epidemic spreads quickly.

Although authorities will attempt to maintain order for as long as possible, everything will eventually break down. Panic will lead toviolence.

YOU: With head down, scope out the scene.

3. SURVIVAL

The streets are overrun, and you are badly outnumbered. You need clean water, food and shelter — as well as other supplies.

Although lots was probably looted, there are now more supplies than there are people who need them.

YOU: Find a secure base and stock up.

4. FORTIFICATION

Shelter’s great, but few buildings are designed to keep the moaning hordes at bay.

A medium- to long-term home will have tokeep you safe while you start growing your own food and take in refugees. Luckily, tools and building material are now free.

YOU: Build with an eye towards expansion.

5. ERADICATION

Time to fight back.If 99.9% of the population turned to zombies,then every person faces 1,000 zombies. That’sa lot, but it’s not insurmountable odds.

Even in Canada, there’ll be plenty of guns.

YOU: Get going, but stay safe.

6. REBUILDING

Large areas around you are cleared of zombies, and guards take care of the odd wanderer.

Now it’s time to turn the lights back on, plus start up schools and civil society. Oh, and repopulating the Earth.

YOU: Congratulations, you survived the zombie apocalypse. Now’s the hard part.