I've been binge watching TWD the last several days, totally blown away by how much I didn't realize characters have changed in the last 5 years. It's left me thinking - what would nurses do differently than the rest of the public in the event of a global disaster, such as a zombie apocalypse?
I think we'd be smart on which meds to stockpile. I think we'd rock wound care supplies. But we'd have to account for safety, too (glad to have a hubs in law enforcement). And food, of course. These are all vague, easy details, of course. At least, I think they would be. They seem common sense, right?
Do you have a zombie apocalypse-proof disaster preparedness plan for your family? Do you think you'd be adequately prepared for it, right this second? How about your significant other? Kids? Do you think nurses in general might be able to outlast a global disaster better than other occupational groups? (Yes, it's a HUGE generalization, but I mean in terms of skill set and assuming the nurses as a whole have a good ability to critically think through life-threatening scenarios.)
I'm embarrassed to admit I don't at all have a plan in place. I have a great first aid kit, but it's not overly stocked. We don't have a good stash of food. I remember hearing in community health that the elderly generation usually has a stockpile of food because they learned after the depression that you SHOULD prepare like that. My grandparents have an awesome stockpile. Too bad they live really far away. :)
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
All this "I've got my weapons ready....drug addicts are going to invade the hospital" talk really annoys me.....this is all fiction folks......TV shows, fictional books. In the REAL world it has been shown that people actually HELP each other during and after natural disasters.
All the stories post Katrina about looting, shootings, rapes, etc., that the newspapers and TV news LOVED to shout about to get ratings, (ever hear of "If it bleed, it leads?') anyway all those stories turned out to be FALSE. People HELPED each other, that just doesn't make a good headline. (Actually I think there was one documented rape in the super dome.)
(Yes, I know there are riots after police killings, perceived political injustices, etc., .....but comparing that with post disaster scenarios is mixing apples and oranges.)
I was in Europe when Katrina struck. My sisers-in-law and mother-in-law lived through it. SOME people helped each other. SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's life and virtue over a sandwich and a bottle of water. And SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's pets. (Because grilled dog is such good eating.) She didn't get raped at the Superdome, but it was close -- and some guy is walking around with only one testicle functioning (or so she says.)
I was in Europe when Katrina struck. My sisers-in-law and mother-in-law lived through it. SOME people helped each other. SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's life and virtue over a sandwich and a bottle of water. And SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's pets. (Because grilled dog is such good eating.) She didn't get raped at the Superdome, but it was close -- and some guy is walking around with only one testicle functioning (or so she says.)
Yes, some people help each other during disasters, some people are the cause of disasters, and some go full Neanderthal or Lord of the Flies.
Specializes in CNS Pediatric Surgery, now retired.
I've always thought I would be a survivor. Spent a lot of my life camping and can easily go rustic. My neighbors fall apart if we lose power for a day. (One of them drove over downed live wires to go buy a flashlight because he didn't have one in the house. Of course, they couldn't ring it up at the store because they didn't have power either. Then he drove over the wires again to get home. Linesman from the power company and firefighter had an apoplectic fit.) I always keep first aid supplies, some canned goods, extra water, and camping supplies in the house and fill the bathtub with water if bad storms are coming.
"The Walking Dead" is filmed in and around Atlanta. They film downtown scenes on the weekends, especially on Sunday mornings. Warnings are issued on the local news to let people know about street closings for filming. They call them "Zombie Alerts". Sometimes the information is on the flashing signs on the interstate highways if the street closings are near exit/entrance ramps. "ZOMBIE ALERT!" I've wondered what people who are just passing through town must think. They used our big county hospital/trauma center, Grady Memorial Hospital, to portray...Grady Memorial Hospital! I would also get a katana (samurai sword) like Michonne's. And a crossbow like Daryl's.
All the best apocalypse-prep checklists miss the number-one easy-to-stockpile, super-trade-bait substance: Alcohol. Think about all the alcoholics who will be wanting their fix, all the alcohol lamps and stoves you could fuel with Everclear, all the skin prep with 190-proof tequila, etc. Made in the shade.
I totally want crossbows and samurai swords! All these republicans are stockpiling guns but let's face it - when the poo starts spraying on the sweet 16s, you want quiet weapons.
I think location is vital as well. All these people flock to cities and populated areas. Or even in buildings - why do people always run UP stairs?! Cabin. Tents! Woods. Mountains. I'd also want to make sure it was near a fresh water source, but dig wells nearby just in case that source (a stream or something) became contaminated. If I had a multistory building, there would be NO RUNNING TO THE ROOF!!!! Buncha idiots, I tell you.
All the best apocalypse-prep checklists miss the number-one easy-to-stockpile, super-trade-bait substance: Alcohol. Think about all the alcoholics who will be wanting their fix, all the alcohol lamps and stoves you could fuel with Everclear, all the skin prep with 190-proof tequila, etc. Made in the shade.
I like this thread. I have not thought about this scenario before. I asked my husband about it, his response "just kill me!" No survival skills what so ever:no: (and I'm a little concerned:(). I think I will end up being a zombie and be a brain-eater:cheeky:. Like the previous poster said, I cannot run very fast either.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
I was in Europe when Katrina struck. My sisers-in-law and mother-in-law lived through it. SOME people helped each other. SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's life and virtue over a sandwich and a bottle of water. And SOME people threatened my sister-in-law's pets. (Because grilled dog is such good eating.) She didn't get raped at the Superdome, but it was close -- and some guy is walking around with only one testicle functioning (or so she says.)