How to Survive the Apocalypse: A Complete Guide for Doomsday Preppers

Tamer Abdo
11 min readJun 13, 2023

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Are you ready for the end of the world? Whether it’s a zombie outbreak, a nuclear war, a pandemic, or a natural disaster, you never know when the apocalypse might strike. That’s why you need to be prepared for any scenario and have a survival plan in place.

In this article, we’ll give you a complete guide for surviving apocalyptic events, covering everything from how to build a shelter, what to pack in your bug-out bag, how to find food and water, how to defend yourself, and more. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about doomsday prepping and provide some tips and resources to help you along the way.

So, if you want to learn how to survive the apocalypse, keep reading!

Introduction

The apocalypse is a term that refers to the end of civilization as we know it. It can be caused by various factors, such as:

· A zombie outbreak: This is when a virus or a parasite turns humans into flesh-eating undead creatures that can infect others with their bite.

· A nuclear war: This is when two or more countries launch nuclear weapons at each other, causing massive destruction, radiation, and fallout.

· A pandemic: This is when a highly contagious and deadly disease spreads across the world, killing millions of people and disrupting society.

· A natural disaster: This is when a major event such as an earthquake, a volcano eruption, a tsunami, a hurricane, or a meteor impact causes widespread damage and chaos.

Regardless of the cause, the apocalypse will have devastating effects on humanity and the environment. You can expect to face:

· A collapse of law and order: This is when the government and the authorities lose control and people resort to violence, looting, and anarchy.

· A shortage of resources: This is when the supply of food, water, electricity, gas, medicine, and other essentials runs out or becomes inaccessible.

· A threat of enemies: This is when you have to deal with hostile survivors, raiders, gangs, cannibals, zombies, or other dangers that want to harm you or take your stuff.

· A loss of communication: This is when the internet, the phone lines, the radio, and other means of communication are cut off or unreliable.

To survive these challenges, you need to have a survival mindset and skills. You need to be adaptable, resourceful, resilient, and smart. You also need to have a survival plan that covers:

· How to build a shelter: This is where you will live and protect yourself from the elements and the enemies.

· What to pack in your bug-out bag: This is what you will carry with you in case you need to evacuate your shelter or move to another location.

· How to find food and water: This is how you will sustain yourself and avoid starvation and dehydration.

· How to defend yourself: This is how you will fight back and stay alive in case of an attack.

In the following sections, we’ll go over each of these aspects in more detail and give you some practical advice on how to survive the apocalypse.

How to Build a Shelter

A shelter is your home base during the apocalypse. It’s where you will sleep, store your supplies, and hide from danger. Depending on your situation and preference, you can choose from different types of shelters:

· A bunker: This is an underground structure that can withstand blasts, radiation, and zombies. It’s ideal for long-term survival and security. However, it’s also expensive, hard to build, and prone to flooding or collapse.

· A cabin: This is a wooden or metal structure that can provide insulation, comfort, and privacy. It’s ideal for rural areas with plenty of natural resources. However, it’s also visible, flammable, and vulnerable to break-ins or raids.

· A tent: This is a portable and lightweight structure that can offer mobility and flexibility. It’s ideal for short-term stays or emergencies. However, it’s also fragile, cramped, and exposed to weather or wildlife.

Whatever type of shelter you choose, make sure it meets these criteria:

· Location: Choose a location that is hidden from sight, away from populated areas or potential hazards (such as nuclear plants or fault lines), close to water sources or food sources (such as rivers or forests), and easy to access or escape (such as near roads or trails).

· Size: Choose a size that can accommodate you and your group comfortably (if applicable), but not too large that it attracts attention or wastes resources.

· Structure: Choose a structure that can withstand external forces (such as wind or fire), has multiple exits (in case of emergency), has ventilation (to prevent suffocation or carbon monoxide poisoning), has insulation (to regulate temperature), has storage space (to keep your supplies organized), and has security features (such as locks, bars, or traps).

Once you have your shelter, you need to maintain it regularly. Check for leaks, cracks, pests, or intruders. Repair any damage or reinforce any weak spots. Clean and sanitize any surfaces or items. Dispose of any waste or garbage. And stock up on any supplies or tools you need.

What to Pack in Your Bug-Out Bag

A bug-out bag is a backpack or a duffel bag that contains the essentials you need to survive for 72 hours in case you need to leave your shelter or move to another location. It’s also known as a go-bag, a survival kit, or a get-home bag.

Your bug-out bag should be:

· Lightweight: It should weigh no more than 15% of your body weight, so you can carry it easily and avoid fatigue or injury.

· Durable: It should be made of sturdy and waterproof material, so it can protect your items from damage or moisture.

· Comfortable: It should have padded straps and a waist belt, so it can distribute the weight evenly and reduce strain on your shoulders or back.

· Organized: It should have multiple compartments and pockets, so you can access your items quickly and efficiently.

Your bug-out bag should contain:

· Water: You need at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and hygiene. You can store it in bottles, pouches, or bladders. You can also pack a water filter, a purification tablet, or a boiling pot to treat any water you find along the way.

· Food: You need at least 2,000 calories of food per person per day to maintain your energy and health. You can pack non-perishable and high-calorie foods such as energy bars, nuts, jerky, dried fruits, or canned goods. You can also pack a fishing kit, a hunting knife, or a snare wire to catch any food you find along the way.

· Clothing: You need at least one change of clothing per person to keep you warm and dry. You can pack layers of clothing such as underwear, socks, shirts, pants, jackets, hats, gloves, and boots. You can also pack a raincoat, a poncho, or a tarp to protect you from rain or snow.

· Shelter: You need at least one form of shelter per person to shield you from the elements and enemies. You can pack a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a blanket, or a hammock. You can also pack a fire starter, a lighter, or matches to make a fire for heat or light.

· First aid: You need at least one first aid kit per person to treat any injuries or illnesses. You can pack bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, painkillers, anti-diarrhea pills, allergy pills, tweezers, scissors, or a needle and thread. You can also pack a whistle, a signal mirror, or a flare to call for help if needed.

· Tools: You need at least one multi-tool per person to perform various tasks such as cutting, opening, fixing, or building. You can pack a knife, a hatchet, a saw, pliers, a screwdriver, or a wrench. You can also pack a flashlight, a compass, a map, a radio, or a phone to navigate or communicate if needed.

These are the basic items you should pack in your bug-out bag. However, you can also customize your bag according to your personal needs, preferences, or scenarios. For example, you can pack a book, a game, or a toy to entertain yourself, a photo, a journal, or a pendant to remind yourself of your loved ones, or a weapon, a camouflage, or a trap to defend yourself from enemies.

How to Find Food and Water

Food and water are essential for your survival during the apocalypse. Without them, you will die of starvation or dehydration within days. However, finding food and water in a post-apocalyptic world can be challenging, as most sources will be contaminated, scarce, or guarded by enemies.

Here are some tips on how to find food and water:

· Look for natural sources: The best places to find food and water are in nature, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, springs, wells, or rain barrels for water, and forests, fields, gardens, orchards, or farms for food. However, be careful of any pollutants, parasites, or predators that may lurk in these sources. Always boil, filter, or purify any water before drinking it, and always cook, peel, or wash any food before eating it.

· Look for man-made sources: The next best places to find food and water are in man-made structures, such as stores, restaurants, gas stations, vending machines, or warehouses for food, and faucets, toilets, pipes, or tanks for water. However, be careful of any traps, alarms, or enemies that may guard these sources. Always check the expiration date, the seal, or the label of any food before eating it, and always avoid any water that is cloudy, discolored, or smells bad.

· Look for alternative sources: The last resort places to find food and water are in alternative sources, such as insects, worms, snails, or grubs for food, and cacti, plants, or dew for water. However, be careful of any toxins, diseases, or allergies that may affect these sources. Always research or test any food or water before consuming it, and always eat or drink in moderation.

These are some tips on how to find food and water during the apocalypse. However, you should also conserve your food and water as much as possible by rationing your portions, reusing your containers, or recycling your waste.

How to Defend Yourself

Defending yourself is crucial for your survival during the apocalypse. Without it, you will fall victim to any enemies that want to kill you or take your stuff. However, defending yourself in a post-apocalyptic world can be difficult, as most weapons will be scarce, broken, or illegal.

Here are some tips on how to defend yourself:

· Choose a weapon: The best weapon to use is the one that suits your skills, strength, and situation. You can choose from different types of weapons, such as:

o Firearms: These are guns that fire bullets or shells at high speed and accuracy. They are ideal for long-range and lethal attacks. However, they are also loud, heavy, and require ammunition and maintenance.

o Melee weapons: These are weapons that require close contact and physical force to use, such as knives, axes, hammers, or bats. They are ideal for short-range and silent attacks. However, they are also risky, tiring, and require skill and strength.

o Improvised weapons: These are weapons that are made from everyday objects or materials, such as pipes, cans, nails, or bottles. They are ideal for creative and versatile attacks. However, they are also unreliable, fragile, and require time and resources.

Whatever weapon you choose, make sure it is legal, safe, and effective.

· Learn a skill: The best skill to learn is the one that enhances your weapon of choice, your physical abilities, or your mental abilities. You can learn from different sources of skills, such as:

o Books: These are written materials that contain information and instructions on various topics and subjects. They are ideal for learning theoretical and technical skills. However, they are also boring, outdated, and hard to find.

o Videos: These are recorded materials that show demonstrations and examples of various actions and behaviors. They are ideal for learning practical and visual skills. However, they are also distracting, unreliable, and hard to access.

o People: These are living beings that have experience and knowledge of various fields and domains. They are ideal for learning personal and interactive skills. However, they are also scarce, dangerous, or untrustworthy.

Whatever skill you learn, make sure it is relevant, useful, and applicable.

· Avoid a fight: The best fight to win is the one that never happens. You can avoid a fight by using different strategies such as:

o Stealth: This is when you hide your presence or movement from your enemies by using camouflage, cover, or distraction. It is ideal for avoiding detection or confrontation. However, it is also risky, stressful, or ineffective if discovered.

o Diplomacy: This is when you communicate with your enemies by using words, gestures, or signals. It is ideal for resolving conflicts or making deals. However, it is also tricky, unpredictable, or dangerous if rejected.

o Escape: This is when you flee from your enemies by using speed, agility, or cunning. It is ideal for saving your life or preserving your resources. However, it is also cowardly, humiliating, or impossible if cornered.

Whatever strategy you use, make sure it is appropriate, smart, and successful.

These are some tips on how to defend yourself during the apocalypse.

However, you should also be aware of your surroundings, your enemies, and your allies at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions that people have about doomsday prepping and surviving the apocalypse:

· Q: How do I know when the apocalypse will happen?

· A: You don’t. The apocalypse can happen at any time and without warning. That’s why you need to be prepared for any scenario and have a survival plan in place.

· Q: How do I choose a survival group?

· A: You can choose a survival group based on your relationship, your trust, your compatibility, or your skills. You can also choose to go solo if you prefer. However, remember that there are pros and cons to both options. A group can provide support, security, and companionship, but also conflict, betrayal, and competition. A solo can provide freedom, independence, and privacy, but also loneliness, vulnerability, and boredom.

· Q: How do I deal with the psychological effects of the apocalypse?

· A: You can deal with the psychological effects of the apocalypse by using different coping mechanisms such as:

o Acceptance: This is when you acknowledge and embrace the reality of your situation and adapt to it accordingly. It can help you reduce denial, anger, or depression.

o Hope: This is when you believe and expect that things will get better or that you will achieve your goals. It can help you increase motivation, optimism, or resilience.

o Humor: This is when you find and express the funny or absurd aspects of your situation. It can help you relieve stress, tension, or fear.

o Faith: This is when you trust and follow a higher power or a moral code that guides your actions and decisions. It can help you find meaning, purpose, or comfort.

Whatever coping mechanism you use, make sure it is healthy, positive, and realistic.

Conclusion

Surviving the apocalypse is not easy, but it is possible.

By following this complete guide, you can learn how to build a shelter, what to pack in your bug-out bag, how to find food and water, how to defend yourself, and more.

You can also find answers to some frequently asked questions, and tips on how to cope with the psychological effects of the apocalypse.

Remember, the apocalypse is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new one.

You have the power to shape it according to your vision, your values, and your actions.

So, be prepared, be smart, and be brave.

You can survive the apocalypse!

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