If you have watched AMC's hit zombie series "The Walking Dead," you have certainly noticed something about the situation and characters: Much of the show deals with survival and how the characters are able to live and survive in a world gone crazy. Lessons about the importance of being prepared for emergencies are woven throughout the storylines of "The Walking Dead" and viewers should take notice.
Preparing for any and all emergencies will help you survive anything that comes along -- even the zombie apocalypse. What are some of the most important lessons that "The Walking Dead" has driven home?
Make a Plan
Planning ahead for any emergency is wise and knowing how to deal with whatever happens will help you survive. Whether you are dealing with zombies or a natural disaster, knowing how to deal with it before it happens is key to survival. Talk to your family about your emergency plan. You will need to decide together on a meeting place if you are separated. Make sure your family knows where emergency supplies are stored and go over how to turn off gas and other utilities to keep everyone safe.
Protection is Important
Even if you area pacifist, you have to accept that there are occasions when self-defense will be necessary. The characters on "The Walking Dead" had to learn to be careful about whom they trust and they had to learn to protect themselves and their families. While you may not need to fend off a hoard of hungry zombies following an earthquake or tornado, you could be called upon to defend your home and family from looters or other unsavory individuals out to harm you.
Know how to protect yourself and your family. Take a firearms safety class. Learn to shoot a gun. Take a self-defense class.
Know How to Live Without Electricity
We are used to having electricity and all the luxuries it provides, but in the event of a zombie apocalypse (or any other serious disaster), electricity may be a distant dream for at least a little while. Learn how to wash clothes by hand, cook over a fire, and basically survive without any electricity. Make a trip to your local library to see what books are available to give you pointers. Invest in solar chargers for small electronics items but remember, such things may be useless.
Learn How to Provide Food from Nature
During a serious emergency (zombie apocalypse or otherwise), you will need to eat and simply dropping by the local grocery store may not be an option. There are options to feed your family without a grocery store and learning how to do so could mean the difference between starving and surviving or at the very least, eating well or eating whatever.
Learn to grow a garden and preserve your homegrown food. Learn to cook from scratch. Take the time to learn about the wild foods that grow in your yard and how to harvest and prepare them.
Do you know how to hunt and prepare wild game? Do you know how to fish? If not, check out books on the subject from the local library. Ask around among family and friends to find someone who knows how to fish and hunt and prepare game and will teach you.
Learn First Aid
If medical care is not available due to an emergency situation, you will have to rely upon what you know if you or someone in your family is hurt. Prepare a first aid kit and include a comprehensive first aid book. Take classes on emergency first aid and learn as much as you can. In the event of zombies or another emergency, your knowledge and supplies may be the only medical care available.
What have you learned from watching "The Walking Dead?" Have you taken emergency planning more seriously because of the show? Leave me a comment or send me an email to tammyleemorris@gmail.com.
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