CORE Outdoor Safety and Survival Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When lost in the wilderness, what does the acronym STOP stand for?
- Stop, Think, Observe, Plan (Correct answer)
- Stay, Travel, Orient, Proceed
- Signal, Track, Organize, Push
- Sit, Talk, Open, Proceed
Correct answer: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan
STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) is the survival acronym that helps lost individuals avoid panic and make rational decisions.
Question 2: Which type of water source is generally considered the safest to drink without treatment in a wilderness survival situation?
- Fast-moving mountain stream
- Still pond water
- Collected rainwater (Correct answer)
- Water near animal trails
Correct answer: Collected rainwater
Collected rainwater is generally the cleanest source since it hasn't contacted ground contaminants, though all wild water should ideally be treated.
Question 3: What is the universal distress signal for someone in need of rescue?
- Two whistle blasts repeated
- Three of any signal (fires, whistle blasts, flashes) (Correct answer)
- Waving both arms overhead continuously
- One long mirror flash followed by two short
Correct answer: Three of any signal (fires, whistle blasts, flashes)
Three of any signal—three fires, three whistle blasts, or three flashes—is the universally recognized distress signal.
Question 4: In cold weather survival, the greatest danger of wet clothing is that it increases heat loss by approximately how much compared to dry clothing?
- 5 times
- 10 times
- 20 times (Correct answer)
- 50 times
Correct answer: 20 times
Wet clothing loses insulating value and conducts heat away from the body approximately 20 times faster than dry clothing.
Question 5: When building an emergency shelter, which location should you AVOID?
- A hillside with natural windbreaks
- A dry creek bed or ravine (Correct answer)
- A site near standing dead trees for firewood
- A south-facing slope in winter
Correct answer: A dry creek bed or ravine
Dry creek beds and ravines are flood-prone and channel cold air at night, making them dangerous shelter locations.
Question 6: Which of the following is the FIRST priority in a survival situation?
- Finding food
- Building a fire
- Maintaining a positive mental attitude (Correct answer)
- Signaling for rescue
Correct answer: Maintaining a positive mental attitude
A positive mental attitude (PMA) is the top survival priority because psychological will-to-survive drives all other decisions and actions.
Question 7: In a wilderness first aid scenario, a victim showing shivering, confusion, and slurred speech is likely experiencing which condition?
- Heat exhaustion
- Mild hypothermia (Correct answer)
- Severe hypothermia
- Altitude sickness
Correct answer: Mild hypothermia
Shivering, confusion, and slurred speech are classic signs of mild to moderate hypothermia, indicating the body is still trying to rewarm itself.
CORE Outdoor Safety and Survival Skills 2
When lost in the wilderness, what does the acronym STOP stand for?