Winter Survival Quiz

1. Hypothermia is:

A cold needle

A mild form of the Alaskan flu

A potentially fatal lowering of a person’s body temperature

Ice crystals in a person's skin tissue

ANSWER: A POTENTIALLY FATAL LOWERING OF A PERSON'S BODY TEMPERATURE

…The weather doesn’t have to be severe for a person to experience hypothermia. +30 - +50 degrees are temperatures where hypothermia most frequently occurs. Elderly people are at a high risk of hypothermia even when it is warmer.

Explanation

ANSWER: A POTENTIALLY FATAL LOWERING OF A PERSON'S BODY TEMPERATURE

…The weather doesn’t have to be severe for a person to experience hypothermia. +30 - +50 degrees are temperatures where hypothermia most frequently occurs. Elderly people are at a high risk of hypothermia even when it is warmer.

2. What should you have on hand when a winter storm strikes?

Flashlight & radio with extra batteries

Extra food & water

Special needs supplies (medications) and a first aid kit

All of the above

ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE

...Be Prepared!

Explanation

ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE

...Be Prepared!

3. If traveling when a Winter storm may occur, you should:

Notify people of your destination route & expected time of arrival

Make sure to have extra warm clothing, boots a Winter survival kit with you

Remember to charge your cell phone & keep it charged while driving

All of the above

ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE

...Be Prepared! And communicate your plans. Survival is all about teamwork

Explanation

ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE

...Be Prepared! And communicate your plans. Survival is all about teamwork

4. The best instrument to have to monitor Winter weather is:

Car radio

TV

NOAA Weather Radio (w/good batteries)

Internet

ANSWER: NOAA WEATHER RADIO

…An NOAA Weather radio is relatively inexpensive and as long as you have batteries for it, even if the power goes out, you will hear updates and get warnings. You could even take it in your car if needed.

Explanation

ANSWER: NOAA WEATHER RADIO

…An NOAA Weather radio is relatively inexpensive and as long as you have batteries for it, even if the power goes out, you will hear updates and get warnings. You could even take it in your car if needed.

5. Which keeps you warmer when the temperature drops?

Columbia wear

Multiple Layers of loose fitting, light weight, warm clothing

A solar blanket

Single layer, heavyweight, bulky clothing

ANSWER: MULTIPLE LAYERS OF LOOSE FITTING, LIGHT WEIGHT, WARM CLOTHING

…Multiple layers are the way to go. Why? Each layer (should be at least three) provides a different function. 1st layer is the ‘Next to the Skin’ layer & should be of a moisture management material. The 2nd layer is the ‘insulation layer’… wool (although heavy) or fleece are good choices. The 3rd layer is your ‘Water Repellant’ layer.

Explanation

ANSWER: MULTIPLE LAYERS OF LOOSE FITTING, LIGHT WEIGHT, WARM CLOTHING

…Multiple layers are the way to go. Why? Each layer (should be at least three) provides a different function. 1st layer is the ‘Next to the Skin’ layer & should be of a moisture management material. The 2nd layer is the ‘insulation layer’… wool (although heavy) or fleece are good choices. The 3rd layer is your ‘Water Repellant’ layer.

6. If you suspect someone is suffering from hypothermia, what should you NOT do?

Give them a warm (non-alcoholic) beverage

Let them nap

Take off any wet clothing

Wrap them in a dry sleeping bag, blanket, etc.

ANSWER: LET THEM NAP

...Keeping a person awake and alert is critical in helping a person survive hypothermia. As they get sleepy, they lose the ability to be rational. By all means, do not give them alcohol as it increases the chance of hypothermia.

Explanation

ANSWER: LET THEM NAP

...Keeping a person awake and alert is critical in helping a person survive hypothermia. As they get sleepy, they lose the ability to be rational. By all means, do not give them alcohol as it increases the chance of hypothermia.

7. What is the best way to treat frostbite?

Rub snow on the area

Don’t worry about it, when you warm up, you’ll be fine

Massage the area

Warm up the area with soft heat or warm water

ANSWER: WARM UP THE AREA WITH SOFT HEAT OR WARM WATER

…It used to be that one was told to gradually warm frost bite by rubbing the area with snow. NOT! You want to warm the area but gently enough that a person doesn’t get burned as they may have lost all feeling to this area. Massaging or rubbing the area could cause tissue damage or gangrene. Remove wet clothing and wrap the person or immerse them in luke-warm water.
NOTE: Frost bite is really the term for extreme freezing of the skin where toes, fingers or skin become cold, numb & white or waxy in color. Frost Nip is where the skin is red and painful.

Explanation

ANSWER: WARM UP THE AREA WITH SOFT HEAT OR WARM WATER

…It used to be that one was told to gradually warm frost bite by rubbing the area with snow. NOT! You want to warm the area but gently enough that a person doesn’t get burned as they may have lost all feeling to this area. Massaging or rubbing the area could cause tissue damage or gangrene. Remove wet clothing and wrap the person or immerse them in luke-warm water.
NOTE: Frost bite is really the term for extreme freezing of the skin where toes, fingers or skin become cold, numb & white or waxy in color. Frost Nip is where the skin is red and painful.

8. What is NOT wind chill?

A thermometer reading in degrees Fahrenheit

A measurement by which to determine wind damage that is temperature related

How cold the wind makes exposed flesh feel

A special at the local ice cream shop

ANSWER: A SPECIAL AT THE LOCAL ICE CREAM SHOP

…There may be an ice cream shop that serves Wind Chills, but for our purposes wind chill is directly connected with temperatures and wind velocity.

NOTE: Contrary to public opinion … wind chill does not have a direct affect on the ability for your car to start other than shortening the time for it to cool down.

Explanation

ANSWER: A SPECIAL AT THE LOCAL ICE CREAM SHOP

…There may be an ice cream shop that serves Wind Chills, but for our purposes wind chill is directly connected with temperatures and wind velocity.

NOTE: Contrary to public opinion … wind chill does not have a direct affect on the ability for your car to start other than shortening the time for it to cool down.

9. if you get stranded in your vehicle during a blizzard or severe cold is:

Stay in your car

Run the heater every 10 minutes

Keep the tail pipe clear of snow

Tie a bright, colorful cloth on your antenna

ANSWER: STAY IN YOUR CAR

...Although the other options are all good ideas and you should do them, the #1 thing to remember is “DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR”.

Explanation

ANSWER: STAY IN YOUR CAR

...Although the other options are all good ideas and you should do them, the #1 thing to remember is “DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR”.

10. While hiking to find your way home, a blinding blizzard ascends upon you. Which of the following tools would be most helpful:

A rope

Flares

A flashlight

ANSWER: A ROPE

…A rope can be used to direct you in a straight line. Set your direction, tie off the rope. Walk to the other end and tie it off, then go back to the original spot, untie it and walk back to the new spot. You may have to walk a lot … but better than wandering in circles. Or … you lay the rope out in the direction you are going … build a snow cave and when the storm abates, you head out in the direction of the rope. It can keep you ‘grounded

Explanation

ANSWER: A ROPE

…A rope can be used to direct you in a straight line. Set your direction, tie off the rope. Walk to the other end and tie it off, then go back to the original spot, untie it and walk back to the new spot. You may have to walk a lot … but better than wandering in circles. Or … you lay the rope out in the direction you are going … build a snow cave and when the storm abates, you head out in the direction of the rope. It can keep you ‘grounded

11. You get stranded in the woods during a winter storm. You fear dehydration (very common when it is cold). Which of these items would best help you get water?

An ice axe

Corn chips

A solar blanket

ANSWER: CORN CHIPS

… Yes, corn chips have oil in them and will burn/melt the snow. Put them in your canteen with snow or ice and – abracadabra! You have water!

Explanation

ANSWER: CORN CHIPS

… Yes, corn chips have oil in them and will burn/melt the snow. Put them in your canteen with snow or ice and – abracadabra! You have water!

12. If you find yourself stranded in a winter wilderness, which of the following items would be most critical for your survival?

A signaling mirror

A thermal blanket

A snow shovel

The primary reason for choosing the thermal blanket is its direct impact on survival by addressing the immediate threat of hypothermia, which is one of the most significant risks in a cold environment. A thermal blanket can help retain body heat, protect against wind and moisture, and significantly increase your chances of surviving until rescue. While the signaling mirror and snow shovel also have important uses in specific situations, the thermal blanket offers the most universal and immediate benefit for personal safety and survival in the cold.

Explanation

The primary reason for choosing the thermal blanket is its direct impact on survival by addressing the immediate threat of hypothermia, which is one of the most significant risks in a cold environment. A thermal blanket can help retain body heat, protect against wind and moisture, and significantly increase your chances of surviving until rescue. While the signaling mirror and snow shovel also have important uses in specific situations, the thermal blanket offers the most universal and immediate benefit for personal safety and survival in the cold.