Desert Survival Quiz
Test your survival knowledge and see how prepared you are.
- 1.
What is the primary need in a desert survival situation?
- A.
Water
- B.
Shelter
- C.
Food
- D.
Fire
Correct Answer
A. WaterExplanation
Although the other choices are important the dry desert heat dehydrates you very quickly. Water is the top priority.Rate this question:
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- 2.
You should refrain from eating food if you are thirsty.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Although it is a good idea to consume at least a little salt to help retain water, eating food will dehydrate you more.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Scorpions should not be eaten because they are poisonous.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Although they are poisonous the venom sacks are all contained at the tip of the tail with the stinger. Cut off the stinger and you have a good source of protein.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the best way to drink your urine for a water source?
- A.
Drink it straight.
- B.
Purify it in a solar still.
- C.
Filter it.
Correct Answer
B. Purify it in a solar still.Explanation
Drinking straight urine is very tough on your kidneys and can cause death. Filtering will help but it will not remove some of the unwanted byproducts. A solar still is the best way to obtain pure water from urine.Rate this question:
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- 5.
You should ration your water if you are in a survival situation.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Many dehydration casualties have been found with extra water that they did not consume for fear of using it all. Stay hydrated for as long as possible. Always follow this rule: Conserve sweat not water!Rate this question:
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- 6.
Celox is used for what?
- A.
Purifying water.
- B.
A food substitute.
- C.
Stopping severe bleeding.
- D.
A fire starter.
Correct Answer
C. Stopping severe bleeding.Explanation
Celox is a blood clotting agent and is a good thing to carry in your survival kit in case of a severe bleeding injury.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is a good method to stay warm at night?
- A.
Insulate the ground underneath you.
- B.
Use hot rocks and switch them out frequently.
- C.
Build a fire in your shelter and use a reflecting wall to keep the heat in.
- D.
Sleep in a shelter, under trees, or brush because these will keep the heat in.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above.Explanation
All of these are good methods to help you stay warm on cold nights.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Sleeping directly on the ground will suck the heat out of your body.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
It is always a good idea to insulate yourself from the ground when sleeping to stay warm.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Where is the BEST place to find water in a dry stream bed?
- A.
Just pick a spot and start digging.
- B.
Find a deep spot in the stream bed, start digging until you hit moisture.
- C.
Look for shaded pockets where the sun has not evaporated the moisture.
Correct Answer
C. Look for shaded pockets where the sun has not evaporated the moisture.Explanation
Although diggin in a dry stream bed can lead to water, it is very difficult to dig far enough down to get anything substantial. Often times shaded pockets will hold water or mud on the surface. Use a solar still to get clean water out.Rate this question:
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- 10.
You cannot boil water in a plastic bottle.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Les Stroud proved that it is possible. Just keep the flames from touching the bottle.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What desert plant works great for taking smoke baths?
- A.
Creosote
- B.
Saguaro
- C.
Brittlebush
- D.
Yucca
Correct Answer
A. CreosoteExplanation
When burned Creosote kills the bacteria that cause body odor.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What plant can you get a needle and thread from?
- A.
Barrel Cactus
- B.
Pincushion Cactus
- C.
Cat Claw Acacia
- D.
Agave
- E.
Mesquite Tree
Correct Answer
D. Agave -
- 13.
Animals can smell newly broken branches.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Animals can smell newly broken branches so if you are constructing traps use dead wood or try smoking pieces after you cut them to shape.Rate this question:
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- 14.
What is the best way to preserve meat to eat later in a desert environment?
- A.
Cut it into thin and narrow strips then dry it in the sun.
- B.
Put it in a ziplock with water.
- C.
There is no good way to preserve meat. Eat as much of it as you can and use the rest for bait.
Correct Answer
A. Cut it into thin and narrow strips then dry it in the sun.Explanation
Drying meat is a great way to preserve it, just like jerky from the store. Just be sure to slice it into thin and narrow strip so it dries properly. Smoking is also an effective method.Rate this question:
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- 15.
When walking uphill travel straight up as this uses the least amount of energy.
- A.
True
- B.
Flase
Correct Answer
B. FlaseExplanation
Traversing or walking in a zig-zag pattern is the most energy efficient way to travel up a slope. Remember in survival conserving water and energy are very important.Rate this question:
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- 16.
You should avoid eating any insects with pincers as they may be poisonous.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Some of the best insects for consumption have pincers like ants. Avoid brightly colored insects or bugs that emit a pungent odor. Also avoid anything with a hard shell like beetles and grassoppers unless you cook it before eating. They often contain parasites.Rate this question:
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- 17.
When cutting with a knife always keep the blade facing you.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Always keep the blade facing away from you, but there may have to cut towards you. Use extreme caution when doing so.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which of the following are ways to determine direction? (Multiple correct answers)
- A.
Use the sun and a stick and mark the shadow at different times to get an East - West line.
- B.
Barrel Cacti sometimes lean to the South or Southwest.
- C.
Use the Big Dipper to find the North Star.
- D.
Point the hour hand of an analog watch at the sun then bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock to get a North - South line.
- E.
The Ocotillo only grows on the South side of mountain slopes.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Use the sun and a stick and mark the shadow at different times to get an East - West line.
B. Barrel Cacti sometimes lean to the South or Southwest.
C. Use the Big Dipper to find the North Star.
D. Point the hour hand of an analog watch at the sun then bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock to get a North - South line.Explanation
Ocotillos grow on all sides of mountain slopes, the rest are all true. Just be careful when using barrel cacti for direction as there are always a few that lean different directions. Look at a couple before using it to determine direction.Rate this question:
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- 19.
If treating someone with severe bleeding it is not neccessary to treat for shock unless the symptoms are present.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
You should always treat for shock for bleeding injuries.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Hypothermia is a major concern in the desert.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Hypothermia is a major concern. Deserts are known to have the widest temperature ranges of any environment. During the day it can be extremely hot and at night it may frost. Some deserts can have a day/night temperature swing of 100 degrees or more!Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 15, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Aug 28, 2010Quiz Created by
Matt787
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