Survival Skills Trivia Quiz

Answer: Plan

The full acronym is sit, think, observe and plan. Survival can be a state of mind and your best chances are to avoid panic and check out your surroundings to see what resources you have at hand. Praying might give you some comfort, but concentrate on the practicalities first.

Answer: Address injuries, build shelter, build fire, locate water, locate food

Remember - protection, location, water & food in that order.

Answer: Three weeks

The average human (with some exceptions!) will survive without air for three minutes, water for three days and food for three weeks - the rule of 3's.

Answer: Scavenge survival equipment from the wreck and remain nearby

By remaining with the wreck you stand a far better chance of being located by search and rescue assets who will scour your known or estimated flight path. The crash site itself is more visible from the air that you are on foot and the wreckage can provide many useful items to prolong your survival.

Answer: Boil it

Boiling water is the best way - the others will suffice in a pinch. Think running water is always safe? What about that deer carcass you missed 100yds upstream! Drinking untreated water can invite the following conditions - Cholera, Botulism, Hepatitis A, Dysentery, Cryptosporidiosis, Polio and Giardia. During average daily exertion when the atmospheric temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (C) (68 degrees Fahrenheit), the average adult loses and therefore requires 2 to 3 liters of water daily.

A 5 percent loss of body fluids results in thirst, irritability, nausea and weakness.

A 10 percent loss results in dizziness, headache, inability to walk, and a tingling sensation in the limbs. A 15 percent loss results in dim vision, painful urination, swollen tongue, deafness, and a numb feeling in the skin.

A loss greater than 15 percent of body fluids may result in death.

Answer: False

Unless you're a botanist, don't mess with the flora and fungi! While some provide an adequate source of nutrition many more can make you sick or even kill you. All fur-bearing animals, all six-legged insects and most fish and reptiles are safe to eat and will provide more nutritional value. Ounce for ounce insects contain more protein than steak. Bug burger anyone?

Answer: Should be directly next to a river - water is vital

Many areas can be subject to flash floods causing rivers to rise - especially in areas like canyons. The shelter should be situated near to water but a sufficient distance to prevent it from flooding. Another common mistake in shelter construction, especially in cooler climates, is making the shelter too large thereby allowing valuable body heat to escape.

Answer: True

Never run from a bear. Bears will always be able to outrun you.

Answer: Go ahead and fall asleep

Don't worry about freezing to death. When you start to get cold, your body will shiver involuntarily and you'll wake up. Only in the later stages of hypothermia do you need to worry about drifting into unconsciousness and dying. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering (although, at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop), weakness and loss of coordination, confusion,
pale and cold skin, drowsiness (especially in more severe stages) and slowed breathing or heart rate.

Answer: All of these

A flint and steel works to produce a shower of sparks at over 5000 degrees even when wet. The bow and drill requires more practice and generates a "coal" through friction between soft and hard woods. Finally ammunition can be used when the bullet is removed from the cartridge case, the case plugged with cloth and the weapon is fired into some kindling or tinder.

A lesser known but equally practical method of fire starting without matches is to use a car or aircraft battery and wire wool. The electrical current from the battery is passed through the wire wool causing it to glow red hot. If all these fail - just break out the zippo!