not sure I can tell you the precise legalities. but I do think that if New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina teach us anything - it's that people will be judged for what they do. Good or bad ... there will be a final judgment at the end.

I do not think the system will judge you harshly if you try to provide medical assistance. just don't tell people you are qualified - if you are not. just tell them you can help with some basic first aid. keep their expectations LOW. don't administer restricted medications, if you are not qualified to give them. but by all means provide bandages, and some items to clean wounds. let people do as much of the treatment themselves as you can.

killing people in self-defense is plausible, and could be necessary. but I wouldn't do it unless it was critical to do so. you should expect that you are going to have to account for your actions at some stage in the future. if you are outside of your home and you use lethal force, you may have a lot of explaining to do. i would display a weapon, but not point it or use it as a deliberate threat - that might convince some potential attackers to back off. it could work either way (they might decide to attack to get your weapon), so it's a judgment call. basically keep in mind that a jury is going to want to be "sure" that the threat you were facing was critical in nature, and presented an immediate danger to you or your family.

the whole "zombie" thing has gone WAY overboard. it's a marketing gimmick to sell guns and ammo (and T-shirts). some of those zombies are just tired, confused people who need a drink of water. some of them are truly dangerous. it will be necessary for you to accurately assess the threat and get it right ... no easy task in a disaster zone.

Pete2