Wilderness Survival 101

Is it Poisonous?

100

You find bright purple berries growing on a vine. Birds are eating them constantly. Is it poisonous?

Possibly YES.
Reason: Animals can safely eat things humans cannot. 

NEVER eat unknown berries 

200

You discover a mushroom that looks almost identical to one from the grocery store. Is it poisonous?

Possibly YES.

Reason: Many deadly mushrooms mimic edible varieties.

300

You crush a leaf and it smells strongly like almonds. Is it poisonous?

Possibly YES.
Reason: Some toxic plants containing cyanide compounds smell like almonds.

400

You're starving and find this leaf. Is it poisonous?

NO 

Reason: This is a Maple Leaf and it is not poisonous. Young leaves are edible when cooked (like greens). 

500

You find crystal-clear mountain stream water flowing quickly over rocks. Is it poisonous?

Not poisonous… but potentially dangerous.
Reason: It may contain parasites or bacteria like Giardia.

Water & Parasites

100

You are thirsty and find clear water flowing over rocks in a forest. You drink it without treatment and feel fine immediately. What is still the main risk?

A. No risk if it is clear and moving
B. Heavy metal poisoning
C. Parasites or microscopic pathogens
D. Oxygen imbalance in the water

Answer: What is C. Parasites or microscopic pathogens?

C. Parasites or microscopic pathogens

200

You collect rainwater in a clean container during a storm. What makes this generally the safest natural water source?

A. It has been naturally filtered by the soil
B. It has no contact with animal or ground contamination
C. It contains natural minerals that kill bacteria
D. It is always sterile once collected

Answer: What is B. It has no contact with animal or ground contamination?

B. It has no contact with animal or ground contamination

300

After drinking untreated water from a stream, you develop diarrhea several days later. Which parasite is MOST commonly responsible?

A. Tapeworm (Taenia)
B. Giardia
C. Hookworm
D. Leeches

Answer: What is B. Giardia?

400

ou are hiking barefoot and later develop itching and a rash where your foot touched muddy soil. What parasite is MOST likely involved?

A. Roundworm larvae entering skin (hookworm)
B. Malaria mosquito larvae
C. Tick-borne bacteria only
D. Liver fluke from water ingestion

Answer: What is A. Roundworm larvae entering skin (hookworm)?

500

You find water that has been filtered through cloth only. It looks clean and has no smell. What is true?

A. It is safe because particles were removed
B. It is unsafe because parasites and bacteria may still be present
C. It is unsafe if left to sit for longer than 10 minutes
D. It is safe if boiled later the same day

Answer: What is B. It is unsafe because parasites and bacteria may still be present?

B. 

Wilderness Food

100

These crunchy insects are high in protein and are often safe to eat cooked.

Answer: What are grasshoppers?
Grasshopper

200

This type of wild food should NEVER be eaten unless identified by an expert.

Answer: What are mushrooms?
Wild Mushrooms

300

In survival situations, these are often better to hunt than large animals because they require less energy.

Answer: What are small animals/fish/insects?

400

These nuts are edible after proper preparation and come from oak trees.

Answer: What are acorns, hickory nuts, black walnuts, and hazelnuts?

Acorns, hickory nuts, black walnuts, and hazelnuts

500

This survival rule means you should spend LESS energy getting food than the calories you gain.

Answer: What is calorie conservation?

Calorie conservation 

Animal Dangers

100

If you see a snake in the wild, the safest thing to do is...

A. Grab it by the head and toss it 

B. Step on its head to kill it 

C. Back away slowly 

D. Distract it so it leaves you alone 

Answer:

C. What is back away slowly?

200

These tiny parasites can carry Lyme disease.

A. Ring Worms  

B. Ticks 

C. Fleas

D. Mosquitos 

Answer: What are ticks?
Tick

300

Bears can be dangerous, no matter how cute they look. What is NOT the safest way to escape a bear?

A. by running away

B. making noise to distract the bear 

C. Avoid the bear 

D. back away slowly

Answer: What is A. by running away?

Reason: 

If you encounter a bear, you should usually NOT run away because they can always outrun you, as it is their instinct to chase their prey.

400

You are preparing to cook the fish over an open fire. What ensures it is safely cooked and no longer bacteria-filled?
A. Flesh is firm but slightly translucent inside
B. Skin is charred on the outside
C. The fish is no longer see through and flakes easily throughout
D. It smells cooked

Answer: What is C. The fish is no longer see through and flakes easily throughout?

C 

500

You are alone on a forest trail when you notice something unusual: branches snapping behind you, but no animal is visible. When you stop, the sound stops. When you move, it resumes. There are no visible footprints, but you feel like you are being tracked.

What animal is MOST likely responsible, and what should you do?

A. Wolf — run away immediately in a zig-zag pattern
B. Black bear — make yourself large and back away slowly
C. Mountain lion — maintain eye contact, appear large, and slowly retreat
D. Coyote — crouch down and make yourself smaller

Answer: What is C. Mountain lion — maintain eye contact, appear large, and slowly retreat?

Safe or Dangerous?

100

Safe or Dangerous?

Answer: What is dangerous?

Dangerous 

Reason: A single bite can trigger massive muscle spasms, severe localized pain, nausea, and changes in heart rate, making medical intervention highly recommended

200

You find a snake with a long, slender body. It has smooth, flowing movement and a round-shaped head that blends into the neck. Is it safe or dangerous?

Answer: What is Safe?

300

You find an unopened energy bar in a backpack left at a campsite. It looks normal and is within the expiration date. What is the safest decision?

A. Eat it immediately since the packaging is intact
B. Open it and inspect for odor or tampering before eating
C. Avoid it due to unknown storage conditions
D. Heat it first to sterilize it

Answer: What is B. Open it and inspect for odor or tampering before eating. 

B

400

You are cold and tired. You find a dry cave with no visible animals inside. What is your BEST decision?

A. Sleep inside immediately for warmth
B. Build a fire inside the cave for safety
C. Inspect for signs of animal use, flooding risk, and ventilation before staying
D. Block the entrance and sleep deep inside

Answer: What is C. Inspect for signs of animal use, flooding risk, and ventilation before staying?

C

500

You are several days into survival conditions. A cut is red, swollen, and warm, but you still must continue traveling. What is the BEST option when no clean water is available?

A. Ignore it and continue normally
B. Keep it clean, covered, and reduce stress on it while monitoring infection                    C. Squeeze and drain it repeatedly during travel
D. Expose it to air and sun to “dry out” infection

Answer: What is B. Keep it clean, covered, and reduce stress on it while monitoring infection ?

B

Reason: Stop bleeding → Cover → Minimize contamination → Clean later if possible