Preparation

Today I'd like to talk about preparation.  Specifically I'd like to talk about why it's important to practice shooting on as regular a basis as possible.  I'd be willing to bet that if you've been reading this blog at all that you've looked into some preparation for the inevitable zombie apocalypse: food, water, weapons, transportation, bug-out bags, et cetera.  These are all pretty standard bag for those of us looking out for our future best interests.  But I'd like to introduce a few things that perhaps you haven't thought of or may have forgotten.

Target practice.  If you've ever taken a gun out to the range, you know that it's not like they show on TV.  In real life there won't be any squibs mounted to the back of the zombie's head to automatically blow out after you pop off a round.  This is why target practice is vitally important.  I mention this because I didn't go out shooting for a couple months and ended up much rustier than I thought I would be, even on my trusty old bolt-action.  Keep practicing, stay sharp, and it never hurts to ask for a little training from someone who's a better shot than you (think if you know any current or retired military or police).

Power.  Most of us generally assume that if we're to have power amid the apocalypse that we must have some sort of generator and that it must be used as sparingly as possible to conserve fuel.  But if you have a car, or two or three, that you don't think you'll be using please consider the following: that car will have an alternator and a battery that you won't be using.  If you plan ahead and learn how to quickly take those two things out your car you may be able to manually generate power wherever you are.  Obviously there are some caveats to this and it would only work if you know a little bit about electricity, but I think that's good knowledge to have no matter what your plans are.  Additionally, don't forget the wiring leading to the alternator or the serpentine belt that runs it.  The reason for the wiring should be obvious and the belt can be attached to something else that you can use to multiply your force and more easily charge the battery (like a bike or a hand crank).  Another good idea would be to grab the belt tensioner for its pulley.  If your car is not equipped, or if it's just easier, you could take off another pulley like those found on the compressor, power steering, et cetera.  Again, having a little bit of automotive knowledge can never be a bad thing.

Extra parts.  One time when I was a younger lad, I was tearing down an old, bumpy, washed out, dirt road on an Indian reservation.  Long story short, I ended up unseating the gasket on my transmission pan.  If this were to happen at an unfortunate time, it could mean the difference between driving through 200 miles of parched desert (or what have you) or walking it.  It shouldn't be very hard to get a couple extra gaskets for various parts of your car, a few quarts of oil and transmission fluid, and, most importantly, an extra serpentine belt (something you should have in your car regardless).  As you fall over from heat exhaustion, surrounded by zombies, about to die, you certainly wouldn't want your last thoughts to be, "Oh man, I wish I would have listened to that dude on the internet, and gotten an extra gasket for my transmission pan!"  This also extends past your vehicle, if any.  Is there a part of your weapon that could go out suddenly?  Can you get a replacement for it (on some guns it makes more sense to just buy a duplicate than try to find an extra firing pin)?  Would an extra pair of bootlaces come in handy?  A couple of ratchet straps?  Think of the small things now; you don't want them dragging on your mind when it should be focused solely on survival.

I don't want to bore everyone too much so I'll leave it at these few suggestions.  If you can think of something vital that most people miss, please post a comment below.  It's your duty to the whole of humanity (or at least to the 3 people who read this blog).