1. Nowhere is safe.

2. Guns are great, but bludgeons last longer.

3. Zombies can hear, smell, and see as well as the living. Keep that in mind.

4. A decapitated head can still bite you.

5. Waiting for loved ones to reanimate before finishing them only makes it harder and more dangerous. And it’s cruel.

6. Don’t be stupid.

7. If you find a place that feels really secure, try to sleep as much as you can. Sleep is important, but make sure your safe.

8. People change in disastrous times. Be on guard, no one is how they seem.

9. Just because a place is quiet now, doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

10. Germs will be an even bigger problem in an apocalypse. Personal hygiene is important. Do what you can.

11. Never go without a weapon. A metal pole, a stick, even a big rock. Anything you can find will that will help you defend yourself.

12. Stay limber. The last thing you need is a muscle cramp when your running for your life.

13. Collect as much clean water as you can. You can only survive three days without water.

14. Learn about animals and plant life. You’ll need to know what you can and can’t eat.

15. Head south. The chances of surviving in a northern winter without proper supplies or reliable shelter are slim.

16. Your mind can turn on you in an apocalypse. Try to find a way to lighten your mood when you can. Work on something that you enjoy.

17. Collect plastic bags and store everything you carry in them. If you get caught in a rain storm, you’ll be glad you did this.

18. If you wear glasses, a hearing aid, or anything like that, practice going without them. You may have to one day.

19. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Always assume your being hunted, technically you are.

20. Try to stay positive. Negativity makes life harder and puts you closer to giving up, which you should never do. Keep trucking.

21. If you are squeamish or sensitive to smells, start trying to desensitize yourself. The world won’t be a pretty place.

22. Unless it’s relevant, don’t worry about what’s going on anywhere else. You have to focus on what’s going on around you. That’s what’s important.

23. Trees are highly underrated resting spots. I wouldn’t recommend falling asleep in one, but they’re great for short rests.

24. To paraphrase max brooks, “ tight clothes and short hair will benefit you when trying to escape the grasps of a hungry zombie.”

25. If you are lucky enough to find yourself with more supplies than you can carry, find a good place to hide some things. You may cross that way again in need.

26. As a last resort, dry dog and cat food can be a source of protein. Just remember to much will upset most stomachs.

27. Toughen your skin, literally. You’ll need to be prepared to take a beating, because life will be dishing them out.

28. Don’t turn your back on anyone unless you’re sure that they will watch it for you.

29. This one’s for the ladies. The things we need will be hard to find. Be prepared to improvise and suffer through. Be strong and smart.

30. Start distinguishing between needs and wants on a serious basis. There will be little need for wants and much more want for needs.

31. Attachments are dangerous. Make sure they are well worth risking your life for, because you very well may have to one day.

32. Be honest with children. You don’t have to be brutally honest, but they need to understand the world they live in now.

33. If something seems to good to be true, it probably is. Don’t ever fool yourself into believing everything’s well.

34. You don’t always have to be bitten to get infected. A tiny amount of zombie blood in the smallest cut or scratch could unknowingly be your downfall.

35. Referring to #34, mind also your eyes, dried out cracked cuticles, etc. These are the easiest places to accidentally get zead blood in your own.

36. It’s safer to expect the worst, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hope for the best.

37. Keep in mind when your packing a bag or carrying things on your person, that you want to avoid making any noise as you walk. Beware of items clanking together.

38. Dogs attract zombies. Animals have distinctly stronger scents than humans, and zombies will be able to smell them from a farther distance then they could a human.

39. Animals make noise and you can’t always control them, it’s safer not to keep any around. Sparky’s better off on his own anyways.

40. Do not underestimate exposure. Prepare for every type of weather.

41. Honesty is the best policy.

42. Be careful when scavenging food and water. Examine everything carefully to be absolutely sure there is no infectious material present.

43. Disinfectants. Sprays, hand gels, wipes, whatever you can find. Keep wounds clean so they will heal up.

44. Don’t neglect your weapons. Dull blades are little use and dirty guns are just plain dangerous.

45. Never go into shallow water under 5 meters.

46. Never use a knife that does not have a proper handle. When you try to stab something you will slice open your own hand.

47. Never sleep on ground level, unless someone is standing guard. Always sleep at least 3 meters off the ground.

48. It’s very important that you always have a good pair of boots and gloves and some kind of hat. Your feet, hands, and head release the majority of your body heat.

49. Make sure all wounds, even the smallest cuts and scrapes, are securely covered at all times.

50. Use your nose! If it smells like death, then stay away.

If you enjoyed my 50 Rules, check out my other articles, stories, and poetry here at Zombie Guide Magazine. You can also Like me on Facebook or get my ebook!