Survival Skills

1. Dehydration kills. If you’re lost without water, your best bet for finding it is to:

Set up a collection system and wait for rain.

Walk downhill—water usually pools or flows downhill.

Find a forked stick and use it to guide you to a well.

2. Hear that thunder? You’re above tree line but nearing the summit. What’s a girl to do?

Pull out your umbrella and hurry to bag that peak before you get wet.

Wait it out under a nearby tree.

Turn downhill fast. If you see lightning, drop your gear and spread out the group.

3. The rule of threes states that you can die in as little as:

Three days without food.

Three weeks without food.

Three months without food.

4. You wandered off the trail and haven’t found it again—but it’s getting dark. What’s the best plan?

Begin building a shelter and start a fire.

Yell and wander in erratic circles. Someone might hear you, or you might find the trail.

Remain calm, inventory your supplies and information, and prioritize to meet your most immediate need.

5. _____ cause(s) most outdoor deaths. Avoid an untimely end by ______.

Falls; watching where you’re going and staying within your comfort zone.

Hypothermia; dressing in layers and staying dry.

Animals; bringing a gun and shooting on sight.

6. A comprehensive survival kit includes:

A knife, matches, and a notepad.

A sandwich, ibuprofen, and a bandana.

A cell phone, lighter, and compass.

7. Halfway into a trail run you notice a bear in the brush up ahead. What do you do?

Stop running and back up slowly until you’re out of sight.

Stand in the trail and talk loudly to yourself until he moves out of your way.

Keep running—you’ll pass quickly, and he looks pretty distracted by those berries.

8. You didn’t hear the rattle until it was too late, and that snake left fang holes in your calf. You should:

Suck the venom out and then catch the snake to help the doctors identify it.

Keep the bite below heart level and get to the nearest hospital calmly and quickly.

Move away from the snake and wash the bite with soapy water.

9. You’ve been lost for a week and hunger’s taking a toll. Fill up on:

Mammals and six-legged insects—almost all of which are safe to eat.

Red berries—just like pie without the crust.

Roots and any bug you can catch—gathering is in your blood.

10. It’s not home sweet home, but your survival shelter will keep you alive, because:

You built it facing away from the wind and it stays pretty warm at night.

It’s near water so you don’t have to expend much energy to get a drink.

The wreath above the door will welcome the search party.