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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: MechAg94 on October 14, 2015, 09:01:24 PM

Title: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MechAg94 on October 14, 2015, 09:01:24 PM
http://thechive.com/2015/10/12/would-you-survive-in-the-wild-quiz/

I thought some of this was interesting.  I think I got 9 of 12.  I drink too much water and I get Rising/Setting sun mixed up sort of like left/right.  I think that might be common with right minded lefties.  

What basic questions would you add to a quiz like this?
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: never_retreat on October 14, 2015, 09:26:53 PM
10 out of 12. I had no idea on the moon question or which bugs not to eat.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: lee n. field on October 14, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
ten out of twelve, and I would almost certainly not survive in the wild, at this point.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on October 14, 2015, 09:57:08 PM
11 out of twelve

But I would starve, because I'm not eating bugs [barf]
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: HeroHog on October 14, 2015, 09:57:54 PM
9 of 12 "You might survive Naked and Afraid." I missed one because I second guessed my initial choice (sleeping on ground: bugs/loss of body heat [did it specify winter? NO!])
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: BobR on October 14, 2015, 10:05:46 PM
11/12.....who knew the moon thing? Well, I do now. ;)

bob
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: 230RN on October 14, 2015, 10:06:21 PM
9/12

Wrong: edible bugs, water, eating snow.

Did not know there was a problem with eating "bright" bugs.

Thought running water was safest, did not presume I had equipment to boil it.

Did not consider the latent heat required to melt snow, did not consider it as hypothermia-inducing.



Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: bedlamite on October 14, 2015, 10:08:42 PM
I got 12, but don't anticipate eating bugs anytime soon. Getting direction from the sun and/moon should be ingrained for those of us that live up north, along with a method to produce fire.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: French G. on October 14, 2015, 10:22:49 PM
11. That's no moon!

Will eat bugs only if there is no way to use the bugs to catch a fish.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Scout26 on October 14, 2015, 10:23:03 PM
Eat ants, both protein and entertainment.

P.S.  Didn't bother to take it.  If I'm not rescued in under three days, I'm a dead man anyway...
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 14, 2015, 10:38:14 PM
The snow question was bunk. Eating snow is a fine way to hydrate. You just melt it first.

I'd never heard of the moon thing, but it wasn't hard to figure it out. I guess some of you don't know which way the sun sets.  :P

I wholly reject the question about how much water is required. Firstly, because the metric system is not real. Secondly, because knowing the amount you need won't help you survive. You pretty much want to drink as much as you can. Don't ration it out, or you'll die of dehydration, with a half-full canteen.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Unisaw on October 14, 2015, 10:40:58 PM
11.  Missed the bug question.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Monkeyleg on October 14, 2015, 10:41:24 PM
9 out of 12. That had to be too easy. I wouldn't last three hours in the wild.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Fly320s on October 14, 2015, 10:50:40 PM
11/12 also because of the moon.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Regolith on October 14, 2015, 10:53:35 PM
11 out of 12, because I missed the "how much water should an adult drink every day" question (partly because I'm not used to that being stated in liters, and partly because it's usually vastly overstated).

The snow question was bunk. Eating snow is a fine way to hydrate. You just melt it first.

That was the point. It even stated after you answered it that "eating snow can cause hypothermia, it should be melted first".  ;/
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: brimic on October 14, 2015, 10:57:43 PM
12/12 mostly a quiz on common sense..
no drinking piss questions though???
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 14, 2015, 10:58:45 PM
That was the point. It even stated after you answered it that "eating snow can cause hypothermia, it should be melted first".  ;/

You're still eating snow. It's like saying that you shouldn't eat lobster, because it might pinch you with its claws.


(The real reason you shouldn't eat lobster is that they are bugs, acceptable only in survival scenarios.)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: brimic on October 14, 2015, 11:03:44 PM
You're still eating snow. It's like saying that you shouldn't eat lobster, because it might pinch you with its claws.


(The real reason you shouldn't eat lobster is that they are bugs, acceptable only in survival scenarios.)

Nope.
You are trying to equate a steam burn being caused by ice. Different phases of matter have different properties. Eating snow isnt the same as drinking cold water, that heat of fusion that escapes most people is the real killer.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: HeroHog on October 14, 2015, 11:15:01 PM
I missed the "Eating Snow", "Sleeping on the Ground" (second guessed myself out of it because season wasn't specified) and "daily water consumption".
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 14, 2015, 11:47:15 PM
Nope.
You are trying to equate a steam burn being caused by ice. Different phases of matter have different properties. Eating snow isnt the same as drinking cold water, that heat of fusion that escapes most people is the real killer.


Nope. I'm equating "eating snow" with "gathering the snow as a source of water," as opposed to just leaving the snow on the ground, and having nothing to drink. It's just a poorly worded question. A better T/F question would be "If you need water on a snowy day, you can just pick up clean snow from the ground, and put it in your mouth." That would be a question that avoids any ambiguity.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Hawkmoon on October 14, 2015, 11:52:53 PM
10 out of 12.

Do I get my own reality show and product line now?
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Ned Hamford on October 15, 2015, 12:10:25 AM
11/12 I sure as heck don't drink that much water daily and I'm still alive.  I think you'd only need that much water if you were sweating up a storm or some other non-expressed abnormality. 
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Ben on October 15, 2015, 12:13:48 AM
Another 11/12er because of the moon.

I blame it on the photo in the quiz. If you think for a second without the photo, I at least think of a full moon, and then, duh. But the moon in the photo was around 1/4 so I thought, "side of the moon that is lit, which is to my right when facing it, which is South.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: vaskidmark on October 15, 2015, 12:15:37 AM
12 for 12.  Recognized the mindset of those who built the quiz.

Disagree strongly on several of their "correct" answers, such as the first thing you should do is find shelter.  Screw that, I'm building a fire that I can move to my shelter site if I have to.  Most important thing is not water but fire - you can live (uncomfortably) for 3 days without water but can shut down from hypothermia in 3 hours.  Bugs have fat - and I'm going for larvae under logs before I chase down some grasshopper.  If I have an appropriate filter why would I need to boil my water?  And I call BS on the amount of water needed, unless they are thinking you will remain still and static.

And on and on and on.

Would I survive in the wild?  What a silly question - I'm not going anywhere near the wild.  The worst that I might face is breaking down on some road - I've got 3 types of comms, bottled water, 4 ways to make fire, shelter and other means of staying dry and warm.  My biggest worries are biting bugs and predatory tow truck operators.

stay safe.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: HeroHog on October 15, 2015, 01:05:39 AM
I'm doing damned good to survive in my air conditioned house in my recliner!

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fherohog.com%2Fimages%2Ffamily%2Fme%26amp%3Bblue.jpg&hash=f7a8cafc45718896ae5105a05b9a06642da7ae05)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Tuco on October 15, 2015, 08:11:52 AM
10/12
Moon at dawn was a legit "I dunno"
Facing the sun in northern hemisphere was a phat phinger smartfone ephh up

I'll eat a bug if Im hungry enough, (remember the prison film "Pappilion"?)  but if bugs are around, i suspect there are other options.  And the bug will be dead.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: charby on October 15, 2015, 08:19:36 AM
12/12

Thank you Boy Scouts.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: brimic on October 15, 2015, 08:39:13 AM

Nope. I'm equating "eating snow" with "gathering the snow as a source of water," as opposed to just leaving the snow on the ground, and having nothing to drink. It's just a poorly worded question. A better T/F question would be "If you need water on a snowy day, you can just pick up clean snow from the ground, and put it in your mouth." That would be a question that avoids any ambiguity.

Failure to read the question then.
Eating snow=/= drinking water.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: HeroHog on October 15, 2015, 09:00:58 AM
On the Sun/Moon question, it specified the northern hemisphere. My 1st thought was that at noon, it would be directly overhead but then, because the sun is roughly above the equator, I rationalized where I would be facing though the degree would be minimal because of the angles involved. On the moonlight I did the same and visualized the locations needed to make the light on one side of the moon VS the other. As to where the sun rises/sets, I always think in terms of time zones to remind me which.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: RevDisk on October 15, 2015, 09:26:28 AM

Scripts from 18 different domains. That's actually really impressive.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Kingcreek on October 15, 2015, 09:44:04 AM
12/12 but a couple questions were screwy. Esp the water. Need determined by climate altitude and exertion. I'll drink 2 gallons a day on a mountain hunt.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 15, 2015, 09:44:57 AM
Failure to read the question then.
Eating snow=/= drinking water.

False.

Drinking is a form of eating. Snow is a form of water.

 :P
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: brimic on October 15, 2015, 09:47:59 AM
False.

Drinking is a form of eating. Snow is a form of water.

 :P

And Bruce Jenner is a woman.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MechAg94 on October 15, 2015, 10:07:56 AM
On the Sun/Moon question, it specified the northern hemisphere. My 1st thought was that at noon, it would be directly overhead but then, because the sun is roughly above the equator, I rationalized where I would be facing though the degree would be minimal because of the angles involved. On the moonlight I did the same and visualized the locations needed to make the light on one side of the moon VS the other. As to where the sun rises/sets, I always think in terms of time zones to remind me which.
At noon, using the sun to figure South is easy.  However, why would you need to use the moon to figure direction at the end of the day when the setting sun is still visible? 
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MechAg94 on October 15, 2015, 10:17:20 AM
12/12 but a couple questions were screwy. Esp the water. Need determined by climate altitude and exertion. I'll drink 2 gallons a day on a mountain hunt.
I guessed the higher water amount myself.  Maybe that is from living on the Gulf Coast.  Most of us A/C rats down here would either die of thirst or have heat stress issues due to lack of minerals.  That is why I always include some gatoraide in my hurricane stash.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 15, 2015, 10:19:50 AM
And Bruce Jenner is a woman.


I just want to suggest that, if Bruce Jenner melts, you not drink him.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on October 15, 2015, 01:24:14 PM
False.

Drinking is a form of eating. Snow is a form of water.

 :P

Fistful, this winter, when it snows, I want you to go outside and get a cup full of snow. Let it melt, and than get another cup full of snow. See for yourself how many cups of snow you need for one cup of water

Eating snow is not only going to give you hypothermia, but it is also an incredibly inefficient way to get water. You're eating more air than water.

So, shut up already. You were wrong. It won't kill you (since, hopefully, you now know to NOT eat snow if you get lost in the wilds) :P
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: charby on October 15, 2015, 01:48:31 PM
Fistful, this winter, when it snows, I want you to go outside and get a cup full of snow. Let it melt, and than get another cup full of snow. See for yourself how many cups of snow you need for one cup of water

Eating snow is not only going to give you hypothermia, but it is also an incredibly inefficient way to get water. You're eating more air than water.

So, shut up already. You were wrong. It won't kill you (since, hopefully, you now know to NOT eat snow if you get lost in the wilds) :P


Maybe we need an asshat of the day award?
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 15, 2015, 02:55:00 PM
What was I wrong about now? That I find the question misleading?


Maybe we need an asshat of the day award?

You shouldn't talk about Liz that way.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: bedlamite on October 15, 2015, 03:11:54 PM
Found a pic of Fistful:

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftreasure.diylol.com%2Fuploads%2Fpost%2Fimage%2F485872%2Fresized_bear-grylls-meme-generator-yellow-snow-must-be-my-lucky-day-7504f3.jpg&hash=e08acb373bf1e76820499307755f393ca03b2a1b)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: zxcvbob on October 15, 2015, 04:14:08 PM
12 for 12.  Recognized the mindset of those who built the quiz.

Disagree strongly on several of their "correct" answers
, such as the first thing you should do is find shelter.  Screw that, I'm building a fire that I can move to my shelter site if I have to.  Most important thing is not water but fire - you can live (uncomfortably) for 3 days without water but can shut down from hypothermia in 3 hours.  Bugs have fat - and I'm going for larvae under logs before I chase down some grasshopper.  If I have an appropriate filter why would I need to boil my water?  And I call BS on the amount of water needed, unless they are thinking you will remain still and static.

And on and on and on.


Me too, but I still missed the moon one.  (so 11/12)

I'd probably last a day or two, and then get eaten by a rabid squirrel or something.   ;/
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: KD5NRH on October 15, 2015, 04:34:15 PM
Eating snow isnt the same as drinking cold water, that heat of fusion that escapes most people is the real killer.

Still depends on the circumstances; I spent a few days in the mountains one spring when daytime temps were in the 70s, and it was easy to break a sweat hiking in the sun, but several deep shade spots still had 18-24" piles of snow.  I was hiking hard enough to just not quite break a sweat, and grabbing a mouthful of snow whenever I passed a perfectly clean looking pile.

Of course, in that case, I was on an established trail, never more than a couple miles from a road that would have moderate traffic, and had supplies with me, but it does show that eating snow isn't always a bad idea.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: lee n. field on October 15, 2015, 04:41:11 PM
What's the deal with brightly colored insects?  Are they hallucinogenic, or something?

Quote
gimme some reds, man

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Tiny_Red_Beetle_(4606931965).jpg)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MechAg94 on October 15, 2015, 05:14:59 PM
I believe brightly colored insects are often poisonous.  I heard that before somewhere. 

I agree with statement above about looking for larvae or grub worms before crawling insects.  
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MechAg94 on October 15, 2015, 05:19:50 PM
If you are stuck outdoors overnight and it is chilly, sheler or fire?  Yeah, fire might be one choice, but shelter might make things survivable without a fire.  When Luke was freezing to death on Hoth, Han Solo stuck him in a big animal and built a shelter, not a fire.   =D
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Ben on October 15, 2015, 05:25:34 PM
If you are stuck outdoors overnight and it is chilly, sheler or fire?  Yeah, fire might be one choice, but shelter might make things survivable without a fire.  When Luke was freezing to death on Hoth, Han Solo stuck him in a big animal and built a shelter, not a fire.   =D

Yeah, fire always sounds good, but burying yourself in natural insulation, where available, can be the more expedient choice. If you have the time, both are better, but I think I give the edge to being well-insulated versus having to keep a fire going all night.

I always shake my head when I watch "Naked and Afraid", because I don't know that I've ever once seen them cover themselves with leaves or anything. Whether they get a fire going or not, they're almost always in an exposed shelter complaining about how cold they are.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: griz on October 15, 2015, 05:48:02 PM
I think the key to the shelter vs fire priority was the "unpredictable weather" statement.  Fire is nice, but it doesn't keep you dry.

I missed the moon direction, but I still think I can figure out N/S/E/W easier than trying to understand the wording of that question.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 15, 2015, 07:10:04 PM
I always shake my head when I watch "Naked and Afraid", because I don't know that I've ever once seen them cover themselves with leaves or anything. Whether they get a fire going or not, they're almost always in an exposed shelter complaining about how cold they are.


But then they'd no longer be naked.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Ben on October 15, 2015, 07:19:02 PM

But then they'd no longer be naked.

Well yeah, there is the script. :)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: MikeB on October 15, 2015, 07:26:28 PM
Two wrong for me.

I disagree about the amount of water required. 1 Litre would keep most people alive depending on physical activity and geographic region. I believe current studies show that recommended water intakes are higher than really required. It also didn't say I was in a desert or had no access to food as well which contains water usually.

I also messed up the sun direction. I'm not sure I agree with the phrasing of the question versus the answer, but re-reading it I'll admit I got it wrong.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on October 15, 2015, 07:30:51 PM
Maybe we need an asshat of the day award?

He's already got the asshat of the decade award. Giving him an asshat of the day award would be redundant.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: K Frame on October 15, 2015, 07:47:04 PM
Eaten by a bear before I get out of my car.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: HeroHog on October 15, 2015, 07:47:20 PM
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fherohog.com%2Fimages%2FHumor%2Faotw.gif&hash=748945faba0dffa47b7900e584cbd27116ccddea)

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fherohog.com%2Fimages%2FHumor%2F%2Aexpletive+deleted%2Ahole.jpg&hash=134e9ffa76f9b120c556ef3e560180b8bb5478a7)
LOL! Can't post image because name is ahole.jpg!  :facepalm:  :rofl:
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on October 15, 2015, 07:53:20 PM
Okay, between girl scouts, 4H Outdoor Adventure club and attendance of multiple 4H Hunter Safety Days (I know, I know, I don't hunt. For some reason, if you were in the shooting club, you went to Hunter Safety Day, regardless of actual shooting interests) this is my breakdown of the quiz.

- The one I got wrong was the boiling water question. I answered filtered. Like someone, (I think it was charby) mentioned earlier, I did not assume I had the means to boil water. Usually, you do have some way to filter (or at least sort of filter) water. Boiling means you've got fire and something to contain water that won't burn up. Acquiring clean water is dependent on what your resources are.

- Speaking of resources, the quiz didn't cover what resources you had when you got lost. There is a big difference between having a full backpack and having only the clothes on your back. Clothes in my back would suck, but I'd probably make it a few days, at least in forested areas (less confident in swamp or desert) Full pack? High possibility I'd tell the rescue team to just leave me some food and come back in a week or so. :P

- The question I had wording beef with was the moon question. It was a silly question. My first impulse was to hit east because I was thinking of what way I would be facing, not the way the moon's lit surface was facing. Seems dumb to ask about which way the moon was going when the point was knowing which way you are going.

- Shelter is always better than fire and it isn't hard in the woods. You stack some broken branches and then pile leaves and mast all over your structure and stuff yourself inside with more leaves (preferably dry, but damp will work too) and viola! Warm and toasty shelter.

- despite oodles and oodles of outdoor survival instruction, I didn't get the bug thing right because of any of that. You watch enough nature shows and you learn that brightly colored insects and whatnot evolve their colors as a defence mechanism. It's basically telling the world "Hey! You eat me and die, so look for dinner somewhere else!"

- they had a lot of questions that related to hypothermia being the real danger but failed to explain that hypothermia is the big danger. Also, no mentions of how to deal with injuries and variations in ecosystems.

Finally, I honestly don't think I'm being egotistical, but I could probably keep myself in one piece for a few days at least. I was pretty decent at starting a fire with flint and steel (it is one big reason I could manage to place every year in Sceneca Run. The other girls could run faster, but I could start a fire faster and hit the target with the muzzleloader. Ha-ha!)
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 16, 2015, 12:13:24 AM
- The one I got wrong was the boiling water question. I answered filtered. Like someone, (I think it was charby) mentioned earlier, I did not assume I had the means to boil water. Usually, you do have some way to filter (or at least sort of filter) water. Boiling means you've got fire and something to contain water that won't burn up. Acquiring clean water is dependent on what your resources are.

It asked "what is the best way," out of the choices presented, so it was agnostic as to the particular situation, or what you have with you.


Quote
- The question I had wording beef with was the moon question. It was a silly question. My first impulse was to hit east because I was thinking of what way I would be facing, not the way the moon's lit surface was facing. Seems dumb to ask about which way the moon was going when the point was knowing which way you are going.

It's not about which way the moon is moving. It gives you a rough indication of West.


Unless weather conditions are extreme, wouldn't most adults last a few days, at least? (Presuming they don't completely freak out.) I thought dehydration took about that long.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: RoadKingLarry on October 16, 2015, 07:55:26 AM
At noon, using the sun to figure South is easy.  However, why would you need to use the moon to figure direction at the end of the day when the setting sun is still visible? 

And if the moon is rising I'm fairly certain it rises in the east, every freaking time.

As to boil or filter I still think a good filter would be a better choice. While boiling will kill most pathogens a good filter will also removed most dissolved solids that might not be healthy.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: charby on October 16, 2015, 09:31:43 AM
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fherohog.com%2Fimages%2FHumor%2Faotw.gif&hash=748945faba0dffa47b7900e584cbd27116ccddea)

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fherohog.com%2Fimages%2FHumor%2F%2Aexpletive+deleted%2Ahole.jpg&hash=134e9ffa76f9b120c556ef3e560180b8bb5478a7)
LOL! Can't post image because name is *expletive deleted*hole.jpg!  :facepalm:  :rofl:

Needs more sock monkeys.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: brimic on October 16, 2015, 11:01:53 AM



Unless weather conditions are extreme, wouldn't most adults last a few days, at least? (Presuming they don't completely freak out.) I thought dehydration took about that long.

I think people are good for about 2 days without water and 2 weeks without food before they get into trouble.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: KD5NRH on October 16, 2015, 11:54:00 AM
I always shake my head when I watch "Naked and Afraid", because I don't know that I've ever once seen them cover themselves with leaves or anything. Whether they get a fire going or not, they're almost always in an exposed shelter complaining about how cold they are.

They're just making excuses for their...uh...conditions.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Scout26 on October 16, 2015, 12:13:12 PM
What we teach in Hunter Ed (and what I tell Robert when he decides he doesn't like the meal I've made) is:

You can go 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food.

We also teach make a fire first, then shelter.   Fire gives you more then just heat, but also a "companion";  Second, it serves as a signal (especially once you get it going and can throw some green wood or leaves on it to make it smokey); and Third, gives you something to do to keep you busy which gives you time to think and plan.

Finally, never ever cover yourself (nor lay on) wet/damp leaves or ground.  That's a real quick way to hypothermia.  That's how I got it at Ft. Lewis, WA in the middle of August.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 16, 2015, 12:45:45 PM
Still depends on the circumstances; I spent a few days in the mountains one spring when daytime temps were in the 70s, and it was easy to break a sweat hiking in the sun, but several deep shade spots still had 18-24" piles of snow.  I was hiking hard enough to just not quite break a sweat, and grabbing a mouthful of snow whenever I passed a perfectly clean looking pile.

Of course, in that case, I was on an established trail, never more than a couple miles from a road that would have moderate traffic, and had supplies with me, but it does show that eating snow isn't always a bad idea.

That's eating snow as a frozen snack, not shoveling in mouthfuls to stave off dehydration.

I belatedly realize there's a misconception that I advise just picking up snow off the ground, and shoving it one's mouth. I actually said that eating snow is helpful if you melt it first.


We also teach make a fire first, then shelter.   Fire gives you more then just heat, but also a "companion";  Second, it serves as a signal (especially once you get it going and can throw some green wood or leaves on it to make it smokey); and Third, gives you something to do to keep you busy which gives you time to think and plan.


I'm sure the correct answer will depend on the situation, but I think shelter is usually going to be more of a priority. Partly because of wind and precipitation, but having a shelter can also be a psychological comfort, and keep one busy. Also, our heat has been out the last few days, and nighttime temperatures are getting down into the 40s and 50s. The coldest temp we've seen in the house is about 70 degrees.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: KD5NRH on October 16, 2015, 12:58:31 PM
That's eating snow as a frozen snack, not shoveling in mouthfuls to stave off dehydration.

Actually, more of a combination of countering the exercise-induced increase in core temp and maintenance-rate hydration.  In a survival situation, it would have been plenty of water to keep me going all day.  I could see it being a problem after dark, though, when ambient temp went down far enough that I'd want the water heated anyway.

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I'm sure the correct answer will depend on the situation, but I think shelter is usually going to be more of a priority.

Depends on the situation; 8-9 months out of the year here, unless rain is a possibility, making it through the night in whatever clothing you'd wear for a day hike is easy, (and if rain is a possibility, then at least a disposable poncho should already be in your day hike gear) especially with a small fire.  (Which also provides light, some bug protection, and the ability to boil water or cook any available food.  Even the foods that don't need to be cooked can benefit a lot from fire, like burning the spines off prickly pear fruit and pads.)  If anything, finding a tree for shade during the day is more critical than a nighttime shelter in good weather.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Ben on October 16, 2015, 01:08:01 PM

I'm sure the correct answer will depend on the situation, but I think shelter is usually going to be more of a priority. Partly because of wind and precipitation, but having a shelter can also be a psychological comfort, and keep one busy. Also, our heat has been out the last few days, and nighttime temperatures are getting down into the 40s and 50s. The coldest temp we've seen in the house is about 70 degrees.

I think it also has to do with how you're going to make fire. If I've got one of those blowtorch lighters and fairly dry kindling and wood handy, sure, I'll absolutely make a quick fire before I start on a shelter. If I'm rubbing two sticks together, or have scarce or wet wood, with my mediocre primitive skillset, I'm not going to spend five hours trying to make fire and then give up and make a half-assed shelter in the middle of the night. I'll build a good shelter, even if it's a debris shelter, straight away, and work on fire the next day when (if) the sun is out and I'm not as worried about speed vs hypothermia.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 16, 2015, 05:39:21 PM
I think it also has to do with how you're going to make fire. If I've got one of those blowtorch lighters and fairly dry kindling and wood handy, sure, I'll absolutely make a quick fire before I start on a shelter. If I'm rubbing two sticks together, or have scarce or wet wood, with my mediocre primitive skillset, I'm not going to spend five hours trying to make fire and then give up and make a half-assed shelter in the middle of the night. I'll build a good shelter, even if it's a debris shelter, straight away, and work on fire the next day when (if) the sun is out and I'm not as worried about speed vs hypothermia.


Fair enough. Personally, though I've made and used a bow drill to start a fire, I've failed often enough with a box full of kitchen matches that I wouldn't waste my time trying to make a fire. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: KD5NRH on October 16, 2015, 06:27:57 PM
I think it also has to do with how you're going to make fire. If I've got one of those blowtorch lighters and fairly dry kindling and wood handy, sure, I'll absolutely make a quick fire before I start on a shelter. If I'm rubbing two sticks together, or have scarce or wet wood, with my mediocre primitive skillset, I'm not going to spend five hours trying to make fire and then give up and make a half-assed shelter in the middle of the night.

The small emergency kit (day pack) has a couple of lighters, 6 days worth of kerosene-and-paper-pulp-based "BBQ starters" that are good for about 10 minutes of fire by themselves, matches, firesteel, enough charcloth for a dozen fires, extra cotton and mini-Altoid tin for making more charcloth, cotton pads coated in paraffin, and a fresnel lens.  If I'm having to resort to anything other than Bic and fuel block to get a fire going, I've most likely already been in the wild for a week.

As for shelter, there are a couple of cheap plastic drop cloths and a 6x8 poly tarp, a few trash bags, ~100' of 550 cord, a pound of strong twine, 50' of 60lb test braided fishing line, some snare wire, shoe goo, (for fixing holes in drop cloths, tarp or shoes) and Gorilla tape.

Basically, for the first few days, the only way I'd get a proper camp set up faster is to carry a tent and a grill.
Title: Re: Would you survive in the wild? (Quiz)
Post by: Firethorn on October 16, 2015, 06:38:50 PM
12/12 for me.  Wasn't hard.