Looks Harmless… Regret Incoming
This well-known rhyme helps you avoid poison oak and ivy
What is "Leaves of three, let it be"?
You find a clear, cold stream in the woods. There are no obvious contaminants, but cattle are grazing 200 yards upstream. The safest decision is this.
What is purify the water before drinking?
This harmless snake is commonly found in Iowa yards and gardens.
What is a garter snake?
To determine your personal pace count, you should walk a measured 100-feet course multiple times and calculate this.
What is your average number of steps?
Before leaving a fire, it should be this — cold to the touch.
What is completely out?
Name this plant
What is Poison Ivy
A tornado warning is issued while camping. The safest shelter option is this.
What is a sturdy building or designated storm shelter (not a tent)?
This venomous snake warns predators by shaking the rattle on its tail.
What is a rattlesnake?
This part of a map explains what symbols like dashed lines, blue lines, and black squares represent.
What is the map key (or legend)?
This imaginary circle ensures safe knife handling around others.
What is the blood circle?
This is a key difference in growth habit: poison oak typically grows as a shrub, while this close relative often grows as a vine.
What is poison ivy?
Your group is panicking during severe weather. The most important thing you must control first is this.
What is yourself (stay calm and lead)?
A triangular-shaped head is often a sign of this type of snake.
What is a venomous snake?
This red end of a compass needle always points toward magnetic north.
What is the north-seeking needle?
Boiling water for at least one minute makes it safe from most of these.
What are pathogens (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)?
This poisonous plant often grows in wet areas and has clusters of berries.
What is poison sumac?
If caught in open ground during lightning, you should assume this low, balanced position.
What is the lightning safety crouch?
Contrary to myth, you should NOT do this to a snakebite wound.
What is cut it open or suck out the venom?
Lines on a topographic map that show elevation are called this.
What are contour lines?
Heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea during hot weather are symptoms of this.
What is heat exhaustion?
You should never do this to poison oak, as it can release the oil into the air and cause severe reactions.
What is burn it?
You realize you’re unsure of your location. The first rule of wilderness survival is this acronym.
What is STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan)?
This is the only venomous snake species native to most of Iowa.
What is the timber rattlesnake?
When contour lines are close together on a topo map, it means the terrain is this.
What is steep?
The most important essential is often not gear, but this quality that prevents poor decisions on the trail.
What is judgment?