If you get lost, these ideas can help you live to hike another day BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
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ooner or later, if you’re into the woods often enough, you get lost. For paddlers, backpackers, off-road cyclists or just day hikers, it’s almost inevitable. This quiz highlights some survival fundamentals. We hope it educates and entertains, and we know any increase in survival awareness reinforces confidence, comfort and enjoyment outdoors. Check off your answers, and look to the end of the quiz to find how well you did, and for brief explanations. 1. In late summer or early fall woods, what’s the biggest threat? a) Wolf attack b) Bear attack c) Moose attack d) Coyote attack 2. Put this list of survival concerns in the right order – most important first, least important last: looking after injuries, finding food, finding water, building a shelter, getting a fire going. 3. A good way to get something to drink is: a) Kill a bird or animal and drink the blood b) Make a divining rod from a green forked branch, and walk until it points down c) Walk downhill looking for water d) Soak up dew from grass and plants with a T-shirt in the morning 4. A shelter from the cold should be: a) So small that you can barely fit in b) Located at the bottom of a valley or hill c) Built only from dead material so you don’t damage living plants d) In a field to absorb solar radiation for warmth.
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5. You’re lost in dense forest far from home. What can kill you fastest? a) hunger b) panic c) wild animals d) thirst 6. A small survival pack should contain at least: a) large plastic bag, matches, fire-starter, whistle, knife b) trail mix, knife, fishing line, hooks, matches c) small hatchet, knife, energy bar, cord, whistle d) knife, matches, energy bar, plastic bag, Band-Aids 7. If you’re lost, the first thing to do is: a) Walk a little faster to try to find the trail b) Sit down and have a snack c) Build a fire and start collecting wood d) Look for game trails to follow 8. The main purpose of a shelter is to: a) Protect from wild animals b) Protect from wind, rain or snow c) Protect from heat and sunstroke d) Provide comfort
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PHOTO BY FRANKIE'S – FOTOLIA
SURVIVAL QUIZ
