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

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

fire starter

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What's the easiest way to catch fish in a survival situation?

bare hands

spear fishing

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

traps and snares

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What unlikely object can you make fire from?

ice

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

water

rocks

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Which of the following can kill you?

frostbite

sun burn

hypothermia

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

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

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

long puff, short puff, long puff

three long puffs

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In a survival scenario, you should avoid eating insects that ____.

have a hard shell

are brightly colored or pungent

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

have stingers

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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

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

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

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

blow gun

space blanket

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How many days can the human body live without water?

eight days

three days

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

14 days

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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)

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

325 degrees (163 degrees Celsius)

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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

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).

branches

fire

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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

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

plant fiber from the inner bark of a tree

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To avoid hypothermia, which of the following is a great way to generate heat?

Drink sweet liquids.

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.

Wear tight clothing.

Run a few miles.

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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.

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

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

diabetic foot

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When searching for edible plants, avoid:

shiny leaves

plants with umbrella shaped flowers

plants with thorns

all of the above

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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