While we might look at the happenings in TWD as unreal and a rather a tongue in cheek fantasy for any survivor or prepper, it is great fun and we genuinely can learn from it! If pizza delivery boy Glenn, farm girl Maggie, and computer nerd Eugene are still hanging in there, why can’t we?
How to Train For a ‘Walking Dead’ Scenario:
There are many matters of survival to be watched and either emulated or renounced, depending on the situation.
1. Security is paramount to the character Rick Grimes and his group. When the series first came out, the group was barely more than a fragmented collection of individuals. Now (about to enter its seventh season) they have purpose, drive, and teamwork that has enabled them to perform security functions much more effectively.
2. There is a tremendous amount of character development that is worth studying. Some members of the group who were no good in the beginning are turning out to be stalwart pillars that all are relying upon, showing man’s adaptability and willingness to change for the better. The group does not lose its humanity or capacity to be humane completely even in the light of adverse situations that would challenge anyone’s moral compass substantially.
3. Methods of gathering food and foraging as well as water procurement, first aid, and leadership techniques are delved into in-depth. Situations that arise within the films do arise in real life and especially during a disaster. Barring your objections to watching such due to religious and moral sensibilities, if you’re able to see it for what it is…a fictitious account…and if you’re not squeamish about the zombies, it can be riveting. In this facet, it can be a good training tool for members of the family who might be bored by standard training films or “Hallmark Card” disaster-flicks…where the neat, clean family on the happy picnic emerges from the disaster without a speck of dirt…picking up their picture-perfect picnic right where they left off.
4. Reality is oftentimes grim, and another excellent factor of watching these films is that it helps viewers to mentally prepare for things that may happen…yes, a form of conditioning…regarding the scenarios.
5. Watch the episode with your family. Take notes on things…all of you, just short “bullet” comments about what you’re viewing and what sticks out in your mind. After the flick, conduct an AAR, military jargon for an “After Action Review” to see what everybody thinks.
6. Then, guess what? Spice things up further by maybe taking the family out on a subsequent day out in the woods, or out on a range to practice techniques that would help you in a similar scenario. Working on signaling techniques and communication, or different methods to rendezvous when hiking or backpacking is another set of exercises.
We might hesitate on making the family watch and episode together – unless it is a truly one of their calmer episodes – because TWD is pretty scary. Younger children may never forgive you for forcing it on them even if they are curious.
However, the whole idea of make TWD a sort of guide for how you may need to behave during a SHTF scenario is pretty much a thumbs up idea. Keep together and keep safe!
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