Tips for Life in the Post-Apocalyptic Hellscape: Basic Survival Skills

• Always be ready to leave immediately.
• Always have a place to hide.
• Stockpile food and water.
• Always know where you can get food, water, and medical care.
• Never sit with your back to an entrance.
• Always have weapons ready to hand.
• Including both melee and ranged weapons.
• Learn how to use them.
• Learn how to do without them.
• Keep your mind and your body fit.
• Always lock your doors.
• If possible, always have someone on watch.
• Never fight back if you know you can't win.
• If you fight back and win, cripple them.
• Never pick a fight you don't absolutely need to have.
• Make friends with the biggest kid on the block.
• Find and join a pack.  Family and close friends tend to work well.
• Trust your pack.  If they're not trustworthy, find a new one.
• If anyone else is not trustworthy, get rid of them.
• Work out the pecking order right away.  Stick to it.
• If you're the leader, put down challengers hard and fast.
• Don't refuse to tolerate all dissent; listen to well-intended advice.
• Make it absolutely clear when unquestioned obedience is necessary, and why.
• Otherwise, explain yourself calmly and clearly.
• Change your mind when you're wrong.
• If you're not the leader, remain loyal until you no longer can.
• Learn new skills.  Those that fulfill the necessities of survival are best.
• Contribute to the overall welfare of the pack.
• Refuse to tolerate parasites.  Everyone must contribute.
• The following are not 'parasites': children, the sick, the disabled, or the elderly.  They are all capable of contributing.  Sacrifice them only if it is absolutely necessary.
• Be prepared to do whatever is necessary to survive.
• Don't treat this list as a joke.