Can you survive the wilderness?

Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can you survive the wilderness?
Image: Jamie Grill/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Would you know how to survive if you were lost or wounded in the wilderness? What if it was really cold? What if you were in the searing heat of the desert? Each survival scenario is different and requires unique skills. Let's see what you've got.
What's the most important survival tool for a novice in a jungle scenario?
machete
water filter
fire starter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You could make an argument for the machete, but a novice survivalist would do well to stay hydrated with a water filter.

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What's the easiest way to catch fish in a survival situation?
bare hands
spear fishing
traps and snares
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Noodling may be a hoot, but you'd have more luck spear fishing.

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What unlikely object can you make fire from?
ice
water
rocks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shape ice into a convex circle and use it like a magnifying lens to make fire.

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Which of the following can kill you?
frostbite
sun burn
hypothermia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sunburn and frostbite are no fun, but you won't die. You can die from hypothermia, though.

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What should you NOT drink if you're dehydrated?
soda
Gatorade
salt water
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Salt water will only dehydrate you more, so stay away from it.

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What's the emergency smoke signal to send if you're in trouble?
bursts of three quick puffs
long puff, short puff, long puff
three long puffs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Do what Native Americans did and send three quick puffs until someone finds you.

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In a survival scenario, you should avoid eating insects that ____.
have a hard shell
are brightly colored or pungent
have stingers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can eat insects with hard shells and stingers, including scorpions -- but you should avoid bugs that are brightly colored and/or pungent.

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How long can a healthy human go without food as long as they have water?
three days
four weeks
eight weeks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Healthy human can last eight weeks without food as long as the body is properly hydrated.

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If you're going to carry two of anything, which of these would be best?
an extra flashlight
an extra blanket
an extra compass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While all could be useful, an extra compass is best. It won't take up a lot of additional room in your backpack and would be extremely helpful if the first one disappears and you're trying to get out of the woods.

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John Rambo popularized what survival tool in the film "First Blood"?
survival knife
blow gun
space blanket
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rambo was one tough dude, but he would have been nowhere without his special survival knife.

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How many days can the human body live without water?
eight days
three days
14 days
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The human body can only live about three days without water.

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What internal temperature is required to break down bacteria cells in meat?
250 degrees (121 degrees Celsius)
150 degrees (66 degrees Celsius)
325 degrees (163 degrees Celsius)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Internally, the meat should measure at least 150 degrees Farenheit (65 degrees Celsius) to stop bacteria from reproducing.

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Making a blade can be essential in survival. Which of the following is an essential tool to make a blade?
rocks
branches
fire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To make a blade you need rocks. There are three different types of rocks needed to fashion a blade: a large flat rock (core rock), a large, smooth rock to chip the core rock (hammer stone) and a rock with a sharp point to refine the blade's edges (pressure flaker).

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You'll need to attach your emergency blade to some kind of handle. Which of these makes the best emergency rope?
a vine
the tendon of an animal
plant fiber from the inner bark of a tree
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Animal tendons are the strongest natural rope you can find in the wilderness. The plant fiber would be good second choice.

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To avoid hypothermia, which of the following is a great way to generate heat?
Drink sweet liquids.
Wear tight clothing.
Run a few miles.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Warm, sweet liquids will give the body quick energy boosts to help it produce heat. You should also wear loose-fitting layers and avoid strenuous activity in order to avoid overexerting yourself.

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When finding shelter, which of the following should you avoid?
dead trees
dry river beds
Both are hazardous and should be avoided.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When finding shelter, you should avoid dead trees because they could easily fall. Also, heavy rains could turn the dry river bed into a rushing river.

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If your feet stay wet for a prolonged period, you can develop immersion foot or:
athlete’s foot
trench foot
diabetic foot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Immersion foot is also called trench foot. This illness happens when your feet are constantly wet and infection sets in.

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When searching for edible plants, avoid:
shiny leaves
plants with umbrella shaped flowers
plants with thorns
all of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The risk of eating a toxic plant is deadly. When searching for an edible plant stay clear of shiny leaves, plants with thorns, umbrella shaped flowers, white or yellow berries and plants with seeds inside a pod.

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What color flare should you signal to indicate an emergency?
white
red
either
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

White flares are for signaling non-emergency circumstances. Red flares are used to indicate an emergency.

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What everyday object is used to signal for help in emergency situations?
toothbrush
belt
mirror
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A mirror, or anything shiny is used to reflect the sun’s rays to gain attention in dire circumstances.

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You Got:
/20
Jamie Grill/Getty Images