-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- I know this is off-topic, but no matter what your academic training, there's no substitute for knowing how to take care of yourself in a crisis. Anyone who is seriously committed to the idea of individual personal responsibility probably acquired these skills a long time ago, but frankly I can't think of a better time to brush up than right now, so here's a start... ~F. **** ADVANCED SURVIVAL TEST So! You think you know enough survival skills? Well try this one! This test is intended as a challenge of survival knowledge to those whom express the "human denial factor" towards learning survival knowledge. Statements such as "Ill never get lost"--"I already know that stuff"--"I could do that if I had to" are mumblings due to over-confidence. This attitude could cost you your life. Therefore, I have composed this test in hopes of creating an awakening awareness that we are NOT naturally born with--survival skills knowledge-- it must be learned. This test is designed on a global aspect and in conjunction with the "survival pattern to maintain life." This is not intended to be an average test, nor a fair test, as it does require survival knowledge with experience plus survival sense. The answers are what I consider exact and correct according to the listed references and my experiences. I understand there may be acceptable variables to the answers. Sorry, no easy multiple choice questions as we want you to think this out. Print out this test, gather up your pen and paper, write out an answer and compare with ours. Good luck! FOOD 1. List 12 edible USA plants. 2. List 8 edible tropical plants. 3. What part of a "polar animal" should not be eaten and why not? 4. Which "snack" would you select in a cold weather environment -- a snickers candy bar or a can of sardines? 5. What is an Australian yabby? 6. List 6 traps/snares. 7. Name 2 USA tree/plants used for fish poison. FIRE 1. Explain the "fire triangle" required to produce fire. 2. List 6 modern fire methods. 3. List 3 primitive fire methods. 4. List 4 primitive-tropical-jungle fire methods. 5. List 8 modern fire aids. 6. List 2 primitive fire aids. 7. List 5 natural tinders. WATER 1. List 6 ways to purify water. 2. How much water will a "desert solar still" produce in 1 day? 3. List 3 tropical plants used to provide water. 4. List 4 possible indications of a water source. 5. Urine can be used as an emergency drinking water? True or false? SHELTER 1. List 4 possible winter shelters which can be considered in a snow environment. 2. What is the most effective shelter in a snow environment? 3. What is the suggested shelter to build in a tropical jungle environment? 4. What are the key factors in constructing a shade shelter in a desert environment? 5. How is a snow shelter vented? SIGNALS 1. In one word, explain what a signal is "in a natural environment". 2. What natural signal method could be used during daylight in the Arctic Circle? 3. Why is the screened viewing hole an important part of the signal mirror? FIRST-AID 1. What is the best method to stop the bleeding? 2. Name the plant used by Native Americans for mosquito repellent. 3. What plant is used as headache medicine? 4. Should a person in a survival situation apply the cut & suck method for a rattlesnake bite? 5. What is an early indication of dehydration? 6. List 5 tropical jungle plants used for medical purposes. ADDITIONAL 1. List 10 uses of bamboo in a tropical-jungle environment. 2. Why would a flashlight be considered a high priority item? 3. What is the best tinder for the bamboo fire saw? 4. List the required items/materials used in making a bow/drill fire set as to produce fire. 5. In a cold weather environment, the majority of heat is lost through what area of the body? 6. Name the simple-to-construct and use weapon preferred by Native Americans in a desert area. 7. List 3 excellent plants for making cordage. SURVIVAL TRASH 1. What could a large plastic soda bottle be used for in survival? 2. A piece of rubber inner tube could be used in what skill area? 3. What could an aluminum soda can be used for? 4. A deer rifle cartridge would serve what use? 5. A metal coat hanger in conjunction with one other item could be used for what skill? 6. What could a paper cup and small stones be used together for? 7. What could a bird breast bone be used for? *** ANSWERS This information, questions and answers are selected from two excellent survival reference books: 1. Camping and Wilderness Survival, by Paul Tawrell. 2. U.S. Air Force Survival Manual. FOOD 1. Cattails, dandelion, watercress, yucca, acorns, nettles, burdock, onion, cactus, mallow, milkweed, purslane. 2. Bamboo, taro, breadfruit, papaya, palm, guava, santol, rattan. 3. The liver of polar animals are extremely high in vitamin A -- a health hazard. 4. Sardines will provide longer lasting heat for the body. Candy is quick energy. 5. Crawfish/crawdads. 6. Trigger four, Piute trigger, drag snare, pole run, Ojibwa bird snare, treadle snare. 7. Mullein leaves and green walnut husks. FIRE 1. Oxygen, tinder/fuel, spark/friction. 2. Flint & steel, magnesium/flint stick, battery and steel wool, magnifying lens, chemicals, fire wire. 3. Bow/drill, hand drill, pump drill. 4. Bamboo fire saw, fire thong, fire plough, fire piston. 5. Wax paper, glue, Vaseline, rubber, nylon spoon, cotton balls, candle, popsicle sticks. 6. Pine sap and pitch pine stick shavings. 7. Dry grass, birch bark, inner cottonwood bark, pine needles, cattail fuzz. WATER 1. Boiling, filtering, household bleach, iodine, purification tablets, distilling. 2. Not enough to survive! The solar still is a waste of time, sweat and energy. 3. Taboy tree, rattan-water vine, banana tree. 4. Greenery areas, insects/bees, animal trails, flying birds. 5. False. Never! SHELTER 1. Snow cave, fighters trench, quinzee, igloo. 2. Snow cave. 3. Sleeping platform with overhead cover. 4. Digging below the ground surface and using two layers of material with an airspace. 5. Make a 3 inch diameter hole at 45 degree angle from inside wall to outside, plus a small opening near door snow block as to create air movement. SIGNALS 1. Contrast! (Orange trash bag on white snow) 2. Shadows -- digging a trench, making a wall with the snow blocks. 3. For sighting -- as it creates a fire like bright ball for aiming. FIRST-AID 1. Direct pressure bandage. 2. Wild onion/garlic rubbed on skin. 3. Willow bark (tea). 4. Yes. Although this method is not recommended in a regular situation -- a person in a survival situation would have no other choice. 5. Dark urine. 6. Bamboo, papaya, coconut palm, emamale, calebetbet. ADDITIONAL 1. Fire making, pressure cooker, cup, cook pot, canteen, knife, eating utensils, shelter building, traps/snares, edible shoots. 2. You would have night time signals, thereby extending your signaling capabilities. 3. Fuzz scraped from the backside of the saw. 4. Socket, spindle, fire board, bow stick, string, tinder nest, ember tray. 5. The head. Approx. 75% goes out through your chimney. 6. Rabbit stick for throwing. 7. Yucca, dogbane, milkweed. SURVIVAL TRASH 1. Container or construct into a funnel type trap for catching crayfish, minnows, etc. 2. In fire making as a fire-aid. 3. Container, a cooking utensil, making into a signal whistle. 4. Gun powder can be used in fire making. 5. (Youll have to attend our program for this answer). 6. Heating water. 7. Fish hook. NOTES "Fire aids" are items which assist in burning. Example -- petroleum jelly. "Tinders" are small fuel materials which will catch a spark in the step towards adding flame to create the actual final results of fire. 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