The maximum score for this IQ quiz is “200”. Our goal is to help you develop your Survival IQ so that you have the best chance at surviving a survival scenario. The experts at ModernSurvival.org have prepared 100 quiz questions with easy to understand answers that will help you increase your odds of surviving a number of threats you could encounter. Below is additional information on your first survival quiz:
A: Survival Mindset. The survival mindset is the confidence that you can and will do anything to survive even the worst scenarios. Without it, you don’t stand a chance. This is truly the survival of the fittest, when the “fittest” are those who firmly grasp the concept that failure is not an option and there is no prize for second place. You can see more about the details of the survival mindset, here.
A: Shelter. The Rule of Three for survival states that you can last about 3 hours in harsh elements, 3 days w/o water and 3 weeks w/o food. However, even if the environment is not currently harsh, it can change at any minute. To be safe, secure your shelter before anything else.
A: Touch. Many think that tasting a plant is the first physical test, but this can be fatal. Not all poisonous plants have a sharp taste or immediate effects. For a plant to be worth the trouble, it should be in large supply, crushed in your hand, rubbed on your skin and wait several hours to see if any reaction before considering a taste. You can get a head start on identifying edible wild plants with this book or these fun cards.
A. Holes. A smokeless fire can be very advantageous when you need heat or flames, but you don’t want to give away your position. With two holes, you can get plenty of heat, but minimal smoke or flame. You can learn how to build a smokeless fire here. In case you need to get the fire started in a downpour or when the tinder is wet, try some of these WetFire Starter Tinders.
A: Power grid. If terrorists were to take out America’s power grid, it would have an immediate impact on the elderly and those with serious health conditions. The longer the power is out, the more fatal the situation becomes. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with a power backup solution or the skills required to survive without electricity.
A. Battery and inverter. A battery and inverter are the most economic, quiet and reliable solution when it comes to a temporary power supply. The key is to make sure that the battery and inverter you select is able to supply the wattage and amperage you need to run the most important things, such as medical equipment or a freezer. You can use a car battery and inverter in a pinch, but a deep cell battery is better because it can be charged and discharged repeatedly without damaging the battery.
A. Team up. To survive, you must be able to sleep. It’s much easier to sleep when you can share responsibilities and take turns sleeping with confidence that people you trust with your life will have your back. Survival in a group is challenging enough, but it’s much harder on your own.
A. Wire snares. In an extended survival situation, trapping small game with inexpensive wire snares is one of the best hunting tools to supply life-sustaining proteins. Shooting animals is an option, just not always the best option. If you don’t have any experience, it’s a good idea to own a book on trapping and preparing wild game.
A. Filter and Purify. Of course, you should stock up on drinking water, but don’t wait until it’s too late to learn how to filter and purify your water to meet ongoing needs. Whether you use a purifying straw, purifying tablets, or household chemicals, knowing how to purify your water can be the skill that saves you or your loved ones from dehydration.
A. Hide and Decoy. At some point, some unsavory character is going to want some of the food you worked hard to gain and secure. You can avoid suffering a complete loss by hiding most of your stock and leaving some out for a decoy. They’ll go away satisfied and you’ll still have plenty of food left to get by on. You can learn more about protecting your food here.
A. Sleep and Hydrate. You may have considered looking to medicinal plants to treat an infection without antibiotics, but the body has its own means of healing. Plenty of sleep and hydration can go a long way toward letting the body use its own natural healing methods. However, medicinal plants can help speed the process and alleviate some of the pain that can come from an infection.
A: Lack of training. Any tool is only as good as the person who wields it, including weapons. Firearms can be dangerous in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use them because their first instinct is to panic and pull the trigger. Training doesn’t just offer information, but real-life practice, too, so that when the situation arises, muscle memory takes over before panic sets in.
A. Food and Medicine. In a post-SHTF bartering scenario, cash will be worthless. Real goods, like food and medicine, will be far more valuable than they are today. You can make the most of them by bartering with the things that are going to expire first.
A. UHF/VHF. You’ll need to be able to stay in contact with the world outside of your own home. This is true whether you just want to keep in contact with loved ones or set up a perimeter system within your community. While UHF/VHF 2-way radios take more training to use, they work over longer distances and can be purchased for about $40. Skills users will still be able to communicate, network, and scan many more channels while all the consumer bands are jammed up.
A. Good Shoes & Socks. Of all the scenarios that could happen in a survival situation, you don’t want to get held back by something as simple as blistered feet. It only takes a few hours of walking or hiking to cause these painful sores that can prevent you from moving for days. Blisters are easy to avoid if you follow the advice outlined here.
A. < 1/3 Your Body Weight. A bug out bag that is too heavy for the person carrying it, or the wrong type of pack will slow you down or cause crippling injuries. If you must leave your home, you’ll want a well stocked, light weight wearable survival back pack for each family member. Here’s a guide to creating the Ultimate Survival Pack.
A. Evacuation Plan. Each member of your family needs to know where to meet in the event of an emergency, when communications are unavailable. You should have 3+ meeting places agreed to in advance and prioritized in the event the first one or two are not good options. Each meeting place should be within walking distance of your home and may be based on the emergency scenario you face.
A: South. There are several ways to find north without a compass, including observation of spider webs and ant hills, which can be found on the south sides of trees. Of course, your best bet is to have a compass, many of which can be found in small survival packs that come with other handy tools.
A. Bleach. We’ll show you how to use a bit of bleach to disinfect your water, but there are other tools you can use on the go. Filtering straws and purification tablets are helpful when you need to use a quick method to get hydrated.
A: 800-Fill Sleeping Bag. Fires can go out and heaters are difficult to transport and may require some type of fuel. A lightweight 800-fill sleeping bag can keep you warm whether you’re at home with no heat or on the go.
