In the crosshairs

The question presented: how do I tell if a person trying to enter my safe house is a looter, a raider or another survivor?

I will address this question in a number of points. I'll try to keep everything in some sort of order because I have a lot to say on the matter. This is a vital point which will effect many survivors as they face a situation they may not have prepared for properly. An entire protocol should be discussed with the group very shortly after a safe house is secured.

One clear indicator if a group approaching a safe house is friendly can be children, anyone with children at least gets a chance to explain themselves in my books. That being said children can also be used as a lure. All children can be deceiving and children raised in the wrong way can be more brutal than grown men (child soldiers are an example in real life and Carl in The Walking Dead is an example in zombie fiction.)

Also looking scared and generally running for their lives. Of course some people are amazing actors so this just gives the advantage of not looking like an enemy from the start. Also it is worth noting at this point that anyone in a dangerous enough situation will appear frightened and chaotic.

In general it's all about body language, something most men actually have a lot of issues with and thus it is important to have either a man who understands body language (an actor, a police officer, etc.) or a woman who is hardened enough to pull the trigger. Hate to stereotype but it's just the reality, women know people better but empathize more quickly. This may seem like a rather non-scientific way to determine something with as serious a nature as this but regardless it will be the defenders best indicator. It is thus imperative to develop a good sense of understanding body language; this skill will be useful from the moment of meeting your first other survivor until the end.

Thinking about this first question leads to a burst of potential situations. These situations come from the idea of asking a couple of questions: "Who wouldn't I shoot on sight?" "What would I do to make myself look less threatening?" "How do I see through the disguise?"

Who wouldn't I shoot on sight?
Well anyone who didn't look like a threat or I hadn't already had negative dealings with. And this even includes groups of men: I would hate to mow down some men or start a gunfight when it turns out they were just the men from a group near by who left their children and elderly to search for supplies. So for instance a group calmly walking in the middle of the street they could be a band of raiders OR they could be just a surviving party. Most people aren't expecting to have a sniper's cross hairs on them after the fall. Again that comes down to body language. Figure out who the leader is and what he looks/acts like, first impressions are a hard things to go off of but 9 times out of 10 they are right on the money for anyone with some skill in reading people. And the people who do look like threats are going to realize this really quickly and start trying to not look like a threat. Which makes our jobs as survivors a lot harder and leads to the second question.

What would I do to make myself look less threatening?
The answer is simple: anything and everything. There are some situations where it is a benefit to appear more threatening and to intimidate an enemy, group or even individual but for most situation if approaching a safe house the easiest way to be let in peacefully is to appear to be of no threat. And I for one would hate to be honestly looking for no trouble, but maybe just  meal and a place to sleep and be shot because I looked like a threat. Well having children helps as already mentioned. Keeping them safe is of course a great concern but letting them be seen shows that I have something to lose and to protect so I am not looking to be rash and violent. Leaving all weapons holstered also lowers the threat level by a great amount, this is an option not to be taken lightly. A way to make yourself appear less threatening while still being able to defend yourself instantly is to keep a sidearm in hand but not at the ready, keeping the arm outstretched and barrel pointed safely toward the ground is a clear indicator of no harm intended and while this may mean not getting the first shot off it will allow to react to any shots fired instantly.
Another option is to learn the art of the diving quick draw. This is an act which should be practised for hours until it can be completed in any area, on any terrain, with any pressures, to absolute perfection. If that is done this move can be a life safer. The act is simple in design but hard to complete. Throw your body in one direction, to one side or the other normally offers the best mix of changing position and arm movement. Diving forward is the lease expected motion but the least change of position which makes it easiest for the enemy to adjust their shots. It also requires the most arm movements to draw your weapon and bring it all the way up your torso and over your head to fire. Throwing your body back offer the least arm movement and thus the quickest firing position, simply draw, point and fire. Again going backward does not make the enemy have to do much to adjust their aim. Second, as the body moves the arms must be moving to quick draw your sidearm. If you have ammo to spare a shot can be fired as soon as the weapon is out of the holster, this will do two things: surprise the enemy who will already be surprised by the bold and strange maneuver, and use recoil to move your arm up to firing position even quicker. This first shot would be while you are still in the air and has almost no chance of doing damage, the real firing will be done once you hit the ground. Firing position and aiming should be done during the final part of the dive so the second shot and more if needed can be taken upon contact with the ground. Note that being on the ground does not cause as many issues in a gunfight as many people seem to believe. Not only does the target become unfamiliar and smaller but also allows the most stable firing position and allows for easy movement while maintaining that stable position i.e. rolling. While this does throw off aim it is the quickest way to move from stable position to stable position while covering some ground. And especially in an area with no cover making yourself a small and foreign target will be your greatest asset.
That may seem to have little to do with being less threatening but being confidant in your ability to defend yourself even with your weapon holstered will present you as calm and poised showing that you have nothing to hide. Some one who is uncomfortable and insecure will appear as such and could be taken as being dishonest or looking for an opening to attack. Remember that a confident warrior does not actively look for openings, he simply notices them or he creates them the moment they are needed.
Clothing can also be a simple of threat. A person in leather straps, spikes, and punk hair simply looks more of a threat then a person in jeans, a sweater and uncombed short hair looks. This is again stereotyping but when it comes to survival in a world which has lost it's current society every little thing will be a matter of survival. Even more so a group of people dressed in a pattern or a common "uniform" will appear much more threatening then a group who are all dressed differently. While dressing the way you want is every person's right it is fair to note that to the true survivor dressing in a manner which will give a better chance of not being taken as a threat by other survivors is almost as important as dressing to protect from bites.

And of course the final question being how do I see through the disguise?
Not an easy question to answer but it is the true rout of the first question. I have not discovered a formula to do this. I have no set 100% way to determine. Rest assured I am searching for one. But for now I would say the best way is through feeling. Feeling is a weird thing to go off of but it is often all we will have as survivors. Often the path will split and with no time for to work out a decision one must trust their feelings and make a choice. Seeing through a disguise is much the same. Sometimes it will be obvious, a person with shifty eyes, the followers being uncomfortable while the leader is comfortable or the opposite, hands held near weapons at all times, distrust and lies weaved in their words. But other times it will be harder to determine such as if the leader is too smooth. What is too smooth? If he has all the answers without actually giving any answers. When the followers look to him in fear. If he makes statements about all the things you can do for each other. Key words and phrases might be "imagine" "together" "peace of mind" "chance to succeed" "common sense" "security." Now note just because someone uses these phrases does not mean they are automatically too smooth, the leader is possibly just well spoken and thought out but these words can be flags to start looking for others. Another flag will be speaking down to the followers and inspiring them, or speaking to your group and trying to turn them to his side. Another flag might be if the leader already has a well worded list of things he can offer you and how you would both benefit from giving him help. Of course too smooth is partly a feeling and partly an understanding of what true leadership versus blind/terrified followers is. Feeling is something we do everyday when we meet new people, we just have to start tuning into those senses and realize when something is off about a person. This is not a 100% science but it is can be the best a survivor has to go off of after the fall. Gut feelings tend to be right, and following them may safe you from the feeling of a knife in the gut.

Stay vigilant, may the infection never reach you, and those close to you have the resolve to do what is needed should you be so unfortunate, Mike D.

Chainletter

I received this e-mail today that was passed to me by a collection services officer who got it sent to her by a cop. I’m attaching the e-mail without editing first. After that I have edited the e-mail so it will apply after the fall, also so it will apply to both women and men instead of the oh so popular opinion that only women need to know how protect themselves.


Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life.  

In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & everyone you know. After reading these crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.   1.   The elbow   is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!   2. If a robber asks  for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM . Toss it away from you   Chances are he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! 3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights, stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everyone else will. 4. People have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc. And just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.   If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car . Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having your body found in a remote location. 5.   A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the person is attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side  of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a person is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. (This is especially true at NIGHT!) 7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times;  and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN! Preferably in a zig -zag pattern! 8. As humans, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked for help into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted   his next victim. 9. Someone just told me  that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. 10 . If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors! Please pass this on This   e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby Theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.   I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry... Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life .

My version:

 

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It will save your life or a loved one's life.

 

In safe hours, memorize these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & any other survivors in your party. After reading these crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.   1.   The elbow  is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!   2. If a raider has the advantage and demands your bag and/or weaponry, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you Chances are he is more interested in your gear than you, and he will go for the tossed gear. When he does, PUT HIM DOWN WITH YOUR SPARE WEAPON AND TAKE ALL HIS GEAR! 3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back seat, stick your arms out the hole and reach for driver. The driver won't see you, coming, but he may hear you. Move fast. Make the driver blackout as fast as possible. 4. People have a tendency to get into their cars after searching, eating, building, etc. And just sit (repairing their clothes, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The zombies will be approaching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to get in and start munching. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.   This is also an opening for desperate raiders to enter on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. If someone is in the car DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car . Your Air Bag might save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. Either way the raider will not expect this And any zombies will likely be tossed out of the vehicle. As soon as the car crashes take control of the raider’s weapon. 5.   A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. Listen for tell-tale signs of zombies: stumbling, shuffling, moaning. B.) If you are parked next to a big van, ditch your car and find another OR sneak up on a the van and break in quickly with maximum force, ready to kill anything inside. Many raiders attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the person is attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side  of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a person inside is alive follow the procedure for tip “B.” IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 6. ALWAYS take the stairs instead of the elevator. Elevators are horrible places to be and the perfect death hole because of the single exit. (This is especially true if there is any chance of losing power!) 7. If the raider has a gun and you are not under his control, KILL HIM! The raider will likely be experienced at hit a running target even succeeding 90 in 100 times; and also, it most likely be experienced at aiming for the head or legs. FIGHT! Run in a zig -zag pattern either for cover or at the raider! If you go for cover follow rules for engagement from cover. If you go for the raider take him down hard and quick. 8. As humans, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It will get you raped, killed or turned! Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked for help into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted   his next victim. 9. Someone told me  that a friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police did not answer because they have dissolved into various groups. The lady said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would attract some of the undead and get eaten. A raider may have a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax survivors out of their safe houses thinking that someone dropped off a baby. This is old minded thinking. No baby would have survived this long without a guardian. Either way you need to silence the sound before it attracts more of the undead. Investigate the sound but DO NOT go out of your main entrance to do so, approach the sound from the direction opposite of your safe house to investigate and deal with the threat, or lack there-of appropriately. 10 . If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors! Please pass this on. This message should probably be taken seriously because your life is on the line every second of every day.   I'd like you to forward this to everyone in your party. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to my party only, but guys, if you love your parents, spouse, siblings, children, etc. you may want to pass it onto them, as well. Send this to any one you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of zombies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry... Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It will save your life or a loved one's life .

Stay vigilant, may the infection never reach you, and those close to you have the resolve to do what is needed should you be so unfortunate, Mike D.