ZAPP helps prepare students for the zombie apocalypse

     People felt uneasy when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article about preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Yet some are taking the CDC’s warning into account and are planning ahead.

     Students who wish to prepare for this disaster can look into the Zombie Awareness, Preparation and Protection (ZAPP) club at UCCS.

     ZAPP was formed as a response to the CDC article and recent movies depicting zombie outbreaks. Club members discuss theories about how zombies will emerge, watch zombie movies and discuss survival techniques should an outbreak occur.

     Brenden Valdez, the president of the club, explained that “the most prevalent theory concerning a zombie outbreak is a mutated viral infection.”

     Valdez went on to explain his top tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. “You want to have a safe house,” he said. “That’s the first step.  Settle there, assess the situation and make decisions from there.”

     Valdez suggested having a basic survival kit ready to go with items such as food and a first-aid kit. Staying away from highly populated areas, such as malls or schools, is important. “They all seem like safe places, but all it takes is one infected, and everyone’s infected.”

     While it is important to stay away from populated areas, forming a zombie survival team is just as crucial. “You don’t want to isolate yourself,” Valdez said.

     He suggested a group of 10-15 people at the most. A diverse group of people is preferable, with skills ranging from basic wilderness survival to hardened combat veterans.

     Students may be concerned that with all of the disaster theories surrounding the year 2012, the zombie apocalypse may occur within the next couple months.

     While Valdez is prepared for a possible zombie outbreak, he is not convinced it will happen anytime soon. “I’m sure there are people who think it will happen soon, but I’m not so convinced. But it’s always good to be prepared.”

     The CDC has a similar stance to Valdez when it speaks of being prepared for a disaster and the likelihood of a zombie infestation.

     Under “Zombie Preparedness” on the CDC website (cdc.gov/phpr/zombies), CDC Director Ali Khan wrote, “If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack.”

     Students who are serious about the zombie apocalypse and those who are skeptical are all welcome to attend the ZAPP club meetings. “The club is meant to be fun,” Valdez said. “We watch a lot of movies and just talk about zombies.”

     ZAPP club members are still working on setting up regular days and times for meetings.  Anyone interested in learning more about the club can email Valdez at bvaldez@uccs.edu.