Apocalypse Hal - Takedowns 2

Now the techniques for taking down a zombie. It is kind of like dancing, dancing with the undead.

Remember to use the zombie's momentum against them. If they pushing you, you pull them off balance. If they are pulling you towards them, you push back. Utilise the Aikido principles of entering and blending! See it's easy.


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Takedowns 1

Here is a little secret. 

No matter how tough a zombie appears, they can't defeat gravity. And gravity could save your life in a zombie fight. In other words you get the zombie unbalanced, and let gravity smack them to the ground. 

Once on the ground the zombie's fighting ability is restricted. They may also be stunned from the fall and you will have time before the zombie can get to it's feet again. So when the zombie is down, you can destroy it or run away.

But first you need to know how to take a zombie down.

It is important you apply a force in the direction the zombie is most unstable. Next week we will examine the different techniques you can use to apply this force. 


Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalypse Hal - Cranial targets

When fighting a zombie you need to take them down fast. But zombies are resistant to pain so many of the pain inducing techniques used in martial arts won't work. Putting a wrist lock on a zombie is just asking for trouble.

Most zombie manuals will talk about destroying the brain and there is good sense in that. You are not relying on pain to control the zombie but brain damage to destroy it. Being a professional zombie survivalist you will want to know exactly which cranial targets will destroy, or at least stun, a zombie. So here there are.

Impacts to any of these areas on a human can be fatal, so hopefully it will apply to zombies too. However life is unpredictable and a stunning blow to the branchial plexus may take out a zombie completely while another zombie may not even notice a hefty whack to the temple. There are no guarantees so be prepared for situations where it doesn't work the first time.

In these situations there is a simple trick you can use, but that is another lesson. 

Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalpyse Hal - Humping the swag

Gee that heading sounds, um, interesting. But I am talking about the old time swag, or bedroll, used in the early colonial days. So if you don't have a fancy bug out bag when the zombies make you run for your life, then you can always throw a swag together. 

A sheet of plastic, like a plastic shower curtain, can be used as a waterproof groundsheet or improvised tarp. Woolen blankets are warm, if itchy. Throw in some clothes and other gear, fold over the edges and roll it all up. Tie the bundle at each end and add a loop for carrying across the shoulder. 

For the more advance swagperson, there is the optional extra of adding a dillybag. This is hung over the other shoulder and helps counterbalance the weight of the bedroll. Store your frequently used items, like your smartphone and makeup, in the dillybag so they are easy to grab when you need to take a selfie.  

Bite off more than you can chew

Mr Rimsky

Apocalpse Hal - The dynamic sphere

More zones! Which I stole from an excellent book on Aikido. 

Here we are applying  zones to your main enemy, the brain craving zombie. As Roger Ma explained in his The Zombie Combat Manual, there is a 'fatal funnel' where the zombies main weapons are focused. That is handy to know but there is more to it than that. You need to be aware of the zombie's peripheral vision and hearing. 

Basically, sneaking quietly up behind a zombie and attacking the head is the way to go. Preferably with some long weapon (like a pry bar) that amplifies the impact force and puts some distance between you and the blood splatter. Choosing the right target area and hitting it accurately is vital, otherwise the zombie is just going to get a headache and become very cranky.

Note that this dynamic sphere applies to humans too. Zombies will apply the same technique of sneaking up quietly behind you. So remember to be in condition yellow, regularly check your six and ensure an empty Tueller zone. Wow, I sound like some kind of professional zombie hunter. 

Bite off more than you can chew.

Mr Rimsky