Survival Survival Skills

Survival Quiz for Kids

Ten questions every youngster should be able to answer before going camping. Can yours?

Outdoor Life Online Editor

Camping is a lot of fun, but it takes us away from the comfort and protection of home. Surrounded by the unknown, if we get lost we might end up in serious trouble. That’s why we need to understand how to keep ourselves safe. Being able to answer these questions will help. Click here for more info on keeping your child safe in the outdoors.

1. If you suddenly feel like you’re lost, what should you do?
a. Turn around and run as fast as you can back the way you came.
b. Hike downhill to reach civilization.
c. Hike to the top of a hill so you can get a view of the surrounding area.
d. Stop right where you are and wait for someone to find you.
[pagebreak] 1. If you suddenly feel like you’re lost, what should you do?
a. Turn around and run as fast as you can back the way you came.
b. Hike downhill to reach civilization.
c. Hike to the top of a hill so you can get a view of the surrounding area.
d. Stop right where you are and wait for someone to find you.

The answer is D, Stop right where you are and wait for someone to find you – Realizing that you’re lost can make you panic and want to run off through the woods in search of the camp. But that would be the worst thing you could do. The best thing to do is stop right where you are, take a deep breath and realize that people will come looking for you, as soon as you are missed. Your job right now is to make it as easy as possible for searchers to find you. Don’t keep wandering around. Get into the open; spread colorful clothing and equipment out where it can be seen from a distance.

2. What is the best way to make a noise signal to call for help?
a. Shout the word “help” three times each minute.
b. Scream at the top of your lungs.
c. Blow a signal whistle.
d. Use a stick to bang on a tree trunk.
[pagebreak] 2. What is the best way to make a noise signal to call for help?
a. Shout the word “help” three times each minute.
b. Scream at the top of your lungs.
c. Blow a signal whistle.
d. Use a stick to bang on a tree trunk.

The answer is C, Blow a signal whistle – A signal whistle is designed to produce a sound that will carry a long distance without much effort on your part. Yelling help or screaming will exhaust you quickly, and the sound of your own voice desperately calling for help will make you feel scared. The only time to use your voice is when you can hear other people looking for you. Banging a stick against a tree to make noise would be better than nothing, if you had no whistle. But you should always carry a signal whistle with you.

3. Which color of clothing is the easiest for searchers to see in the forest?
a. Green.
b. Yellow.
c. Blue.
d. Purple.
[pagebreak] 3. Which color of clothing is the easiest for searchers to see in the forest?
a. Green.
b. Yellow.
c. Blue.
d. Purple.

The answer is B, Yellow – When you’re lost in the woods, looking cool and fashionable is not as important as being highly visible. You want to wear colors that stand out against the background of dark colors and shadows produced by the forest. Yellow (especially some kind of electric neon yellow) is better than the other options offered in this quiz.

4. What are the two most important pieces of survival equipment for kids to carry in the woods?
a. A map and compass.
b. Food and water.
c. A signal whistle and a Space® Blanket.
d. A knife and a fire starter.
[pagebreak] 4. What are the two most important pieces of survival equipment for kids to carry in the woods?
a. A map a compass.
b. Food and water.
c. A signal whistle and a Space® Blanket.
d. A knife and a fire starter.

The answer is C, A signal whistle and a Space® Blanket – There’s only so much that you can carry in your pockets, but if you manage to lose your way from camp you might only have what’s in your pockets to help you survive. To protect you from the elements (rain, wind, cold), a Space® Blanket is your best bet. It folds up really small and is lightweight. It is also a fantastic visible signal, because it looks like the shiny side of tin foil. The other thing to have with you at all times is a signal whistle. That way, you don’t have to wait for somebody to see your shiny blanket; you can call out to them with the whistle and let them know that you need help.

5. Before leaving camp alone or hiking away from your group, what should you do?
a. Pack enough food and water for 24 hours.
b. Talk to an adult about where you’re going and when you’ll return.
c. Take all your equipment with you.
d. Leave a note.
[pagebreak] 5. Before leaving camp alone or hiking away from your group, what should you do?
a. Pack enough food and water for 24 hours.
b. Talk to an adult about where you’re going and when you’ll return.
c. Take all your equipment with you.
d. Leave a note.

The answer is B, Talk to an adult about where you’re going and when you’ll return – Actually, it’s best to never leave camp alone, and never break away from the rest of the group and go off by yourself. But there might be a time when you need to step away for a few minutes, to use the latrine, for example. Always talk with an adult leader before doing something like that.

6. If you are lost, and you hear people searching for you, what should you do?
a. Hide in the bushes, because you should not talk to strangers.
b. Jump up and down, wave your arms, and make as much noise as possible.
c. Be quiet, so you don’t disturb the search.
d. Sit very still.
[pagebreak] 6. If you are lost, and you hear people searching for you, what should you do?
a. Hide in the bushes, because you should not talk to strangers.
b. Jump up and down, wave your arms, and make as much noise as possible.
c. Be quiet, so you don’t disturb the search.
d. Sit very still.

The answer is B, Jump up and down, wave your arms, and make as much noise as possible – If you’re lost, the most important thing in the world is to let other people know where you are. You can do that by positioning yourself in a clearing near the trail, where you’ll be easy to spot. If you hear voices of people who might be looking for you, sound the alarm with your signal whistle. Jump up and down and wave your arms to attract attention to yourself.

7. If your clothes get soaking wet and you’re starting to shiver, what should you do?
a. Remove your wet clothing and wrap up in your Space® Blanket.
b. Stand in the wind, so your clothes will dry quickly.
c. Keep your clothes on, because the dampness will keep you warm.
d. Start running down the trail to warm you up and dry your clothes.
[pagebreak] 7. If your clothes get soaking wet and you’re starting to shiver, what should you do?
a. Remove your wet clothing and wrap up in your Space® Blanket.
b. Stand in the wind, so your clothes will dry quickly.
c. Keep your clothes on, because the dampness will keep you warm.
d. Start running down the trail to warm you up and dry your clothes.

The answer is A, Remove your wet clothing and wrap up in your Space® Blanket. – Wet clothing drains away your body heat many times faster than dry clothing. If you have a Space® Blanket with you, get out of your wet clothes and wrap up with the foil blanket. It will reflect your body heat back toward you and serve as a windbreak. Then, wring out your clothing and lay it out to dry in the sun and wind. Hunker down and cover your head with the emergency blanket, because you lose a lot of body warmth through your head.

8. What is the most effective way to attract the attention of searchers who are looking for you?
a. Use your Space® Blanket as a big reflective signal mirror.
b. Spread out your most colorful clothing in an open space.
c. Blow your signal whistle.
d. Flash your signal mirror around in the woods.
[pagebreak] 8. What is the most effective way to attract the attention of searchers who are looking for you?
a. Use your Space® Blanket as a big reflective signal mirror.
b. Spread out your most colorful clothing in an open space.
c. Blow your signal whistle.
d. Flash your signal mirror around in the woods.

The answer is ALL OF THE ABOVE – All of these answers are excellent. By using both visual and audible signal techniques, you dramatically increase the possibility of searchers finding you quickly. And the faster you’re found, the sooner the survival ordeal will be over.

9. What is hypothermia?
a. A needle used by doctors to inject vaccine.
b. A fancy name for hot weather.
c. The dangerous loss of body warmth.
d. A disease-carrying mosquito.
[pagebreak] 9. What is hypothermia?
a. A needle used by doctors to inject vaccine.
b. A fancy name for hot weather.
c. The dangerous loss of body warmth.
d. A disease-carrying mosquito.

The answer is C, The dangerous loss of body warmth – Hypothermia is the technical term that describes a dangerous loss of body warmth. This happens when your clothes get wet, there is a breeze, the weather is cool, and you are tired and haven’t had a hot meal for a while. To prevent hypothermia, stay warm and dry, wear windbreaker clothing, keep yourself well fed, and slow your pace so you don’t become exhausted.

10. What is the best way to keep from getting lost?
a. Never wander away from camp or from your group alone.
b. Carry a map and compass.
c. Keep a cell phone with you at all times.
d. Remember that moss grows on the north side of trees.
[pagebreak] 10. What is the best way to keep from getting lost?
a. Never wander away from camp or from your group alone.
b. Carry a map and compass.
c. Keep a cell phone with you at all times.
d. Remember that moss grows on the north side of trees.

**The ng. If you have a Space® Blanket with you, get out of your wet clothes and wrap up with the foil blanket. It will reflect your body heat back toward you and serve as a windbreak. Then, wring out your clothing and lay it out to dry in the sun and wind. Hunker down and cover your head with the emergency blanket, because you lose a lot of body warmth through your head.

8. What is the most effective way to attract the attention of searchers who are looking for you?
a. Use your Space® Blanket as a big reflective signal mirror.
b. Spread out your most colorful clothing in an open space.
c. Blow your signal whistle.
d. Flash your signal mirror around in the woods.
[pagebreak] 8. What is the most effective way to attract the attention of searchers who are looking for you?
a. Use your Space® Blanket as a big reflective signal mirror.
b. Spread out your most colorful clothing in an open space.
c. Blow your signal whistle.
d. Flash your signal mirror around in the woods.

The answer is ALL OF THE ABOVE – All of these answers are excellent. By using both visual and audible signal techniques, you dramatically increase the possibility of searchers finding you quickly. And the faster you’re found, the sooner the survival ordeal will be over.

9. What is hypothermia?
a. A needle used by doctors to inject vaccine.
b. A fancy name for hot weather.
c. The dangerous loss of body warmth.
d. A disease-carrying mosquito.
[pagebreak] 9. What is hypothermia?
a. A needle used by doctors to inject vaccine.
b. A fancy name for hot weather.
c. The dangerous loss of body warmth.
d. A disease-carrying mosquito.

The answer is C, The dangerous loss of body warmth – Hypothermia is the technical term that describes a dangerous loss of body warmth. This happens when your clothes get wet, there is a breeze, the weather is cool, and you are tired and haven’t had a hot meal for a while. To prevent hypothermia, stay warm and dry, wear windbreaker clothing, keep yourself well fed, and slow your pace so you don’t become exhausted.

10. What is the best way to keep from getting lost?
a. Never wander away from camp or from your group alone.
b. Carry a map and compass.
c. Keep a cell phone with you at all times.
d. Remember that moss grows on the north side of trees.
[pagebreak] 10. What is the best way to keep from getting lost?
a. Never wander away from camp or from your group alone.
b. Carry a map and compass.
c. Keep a cell phone with you at all times.
d. Remember that moss grows on the north side of trees.

**The