Fan vs. Wild Survival Basics

You're alone and stranded in the woods with nothing more than a fanny pack and your wits. As the sun sets, you feel the chill of the coming night and hear what may or may not be a bear rumbling in the distance. See if you'll make it through the night.

You've made your way to what looks like a safe place to bunk down for the night, but you're cold and hungry. What's the first thing you should do to prepare for the night?

Try to start a fire.

Get your shelter in order.

Forage for food.

Scream for help until you pass out.

Correct! Incorrect

While fire and food are important, the first thing on your list should be an adequate shelter for the night. Remember Bear's handy acronym, PRWF (protection, rescue, water, food), to help prioritize your needs.

Which one of the following items won't do you much good if you're trying to start a fire without a match or a lighter?

soda can

magnifying glass

river water

ice

Correct! Incorrect

Everyone knows you can start a fire with a magnifying glass, but you can also use a soda can or ice to focus the sun's rays onto some tinder. River water is only good for putting your fire out.

A bear is moving toward you in an aggressive manner and you may be lunch if you don't act fast. What's the first thing you should do?

Pick up the largest rock you can find and throw it at the bear's nose.

Run as fast as you can to the nearest tree and climb it.

Lay flat on the ground and play dead.

Avoid eye contact, back slowly away and speak to the bear in calm voice.

Correct! Incorrect

The first three answers may get you killed. But if you avoid eye contact and back away slowly while speaking calmly, the bear will see that you are a non-threatening human and might leave you alone.

In a cold weather survival scenario, water isn't as important as it is in a bid to survive the desert heat.

True

False

Correct! Incorrect

The human body needs water to survive no matter what the temperature is.

What is the most important article of clothing in a cold-weather survival scenario?

hat

thermal underwear

thermal socks

wool sweater

Correct! Incorrect

You're in luck if you have thermal socks, underwear and a wool sweater, but most of your body heat leaves through your head, so a hat tops the list. In fact, you'd do better to wrap that sweater around your head than slip it on.

A sense of well-being is one of the important things a fire can provide.

True

False

Correct! Incorrect

Fire is good for cooking, providing warmth and potentially as a signal for rescue. It also gives you a sense of well-being, an important part of the mental bid to survive.

Smoke signals are still a valid way of calling for help. What is the standard signal to indicate that you're in need of rescue?

a long series of two puffs of smoke

three quick puffs of smoke

one long line of smoke, followed by single puffs

no puffs, just cover the fire with wet wood for thick, white smoke

Correct! Incorrect

While you should use wet wood to generate thick, white smoke, you need to use the standard three puffs to signal that you need rescue.

In general, what kinds of insects should you avoid eating in the wild?

insects with hard shells

brightly colored insects

insects longer than your smallest finger

insects with more than four legs

Correct! Incorrect

As a rule, you can go ahead and take the brightly colored insects off the dinner plate. There are a few exceptions, like the bright green tomato worm. But in a survival scenario you should play it safe.

In a winter survival scenario, eating ice and snow is a good way to avoid dehydration.

True

False

Correct! Incorrect

Instead, collect snow in a container and then place the water bottle against your skin until it melts. If you eat snow or ice directly, it will cool your internal core temperature and put you at even greater risk for hypothermia.

Correct

Sorry! If you were lost and alone in the woods, chances are you'd end up as a part of the ecosystem.

Correct

Not bad for a rookie. In a survival scenario, you just might live long enough to find rescue.

Correct

Congratulations! Your score would make Bear Grylls proud, and you have a better than average chance of making it out of the woods alive.