CORE Outdoor Safety and Survival Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum safe distance from a lightning strike zone when caught in an open field with no shelter?
- Lie flat on the ground in a low area
- Crouch low on the balls of your feet with feet together and hands over ears (Correct answer)
- Spread out flat on a hillside
- Stand under an isolated tall tree for protection
Correct answer: Crouch low on the balls of your feet with feet together and hands over ears
The lightning crouch—feet together on the balls of your feet, crouching low, hands over ears—minimizes ground contact and your profile while reducing risk from ground current.
Question 2: Which of the following plants is considered a reliable emergency water source in North America?
- Poison ivy leaves
- Barrel cactus pulp
- Cattail roots and stems (Correct answer)
- Rhubarb leaves
Correct answer: Cattail roots and stems
Cattails found in marshes and wetlands provide edible roots, shoots, and pollen, and the habitat itself indicates surface water nearby, making them a reliable survival resource.
Question 3: What is the recommended minimum distance to camp from water sources to protect both wildlife and water quality?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet
- 200 feet (Correct answer)
- 500 feet
Correct answer: 200 feet
Leave No Trace principles recommend camping at least 200 feet (about 70 steps) from lakes and streams to protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
Question 4: When administering CPR to an unresponsive adult in a wilderness setting, what is the correct chest compression rate?
- 40–60 compressions per minute
- 60–80 compressions per minute
- 100–120 compressions per minute (Correct answer)
- 140–160 compressions per minute
Correct answer: 100–120 compressions per minute
Current American Heart Association guidelines specify 100–120 chest compressions per minute for adult CPR, approximately the tempo of the song 'Stayin' Alive.'
Question 5: What does 'Leave No Trace' principle 'Dispose of Waste Properly' require for human solid waste in the backcountry?
- Bury waste in a cathole 6–8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camps (Correct answer)
- Pack out all human waste using a WAG bag system only
- Scatter waste on the surface to speed decomposition
- Bury waste anywhere at least 10 feet from your campsite
Correct answer: Bury waste in a cathole 6–8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camps
Leave No Trace requires burying human waste in a cathole 6–8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and campsites to prevent water contamination and disease.
Question 6: What is the primary danger of eating wild mushrooms without expert identification in a survival situation?
- Most wild mushrooms cause mild stomach upset only
- Some deadly species like Amanita phalloides closely resemble edible varieties (Correct answer)
- Wild mushrooms are uniformly safe to eat if cooked thoroughly
- Only mushrooms with red caps are dangerous
Correct answer: Some deadly species like Amanita phalloides closely resemble edible varieties
The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and destroying angel mushrooms are lethal and closely resemble edible species, making wild mushroom consumption extremely risky without expert identification.
Question 7: Which technique is used to sterilize water using sunlight in a clear plastic bottle, known by the acronym SODIS?
- Boiling water in a clear bottle over a campfire
- Placing a filled clear bottle in direct sunlight for 6+ hours (or 2 days if cloudy) (Correct answer)
- Adding solar-activated iodine tablets to bottled water
- Filtering water through a clear bottle filled with sand and gravel
Correct answer: Placing a filled clear bottle in direct sunlight for 6+ hours (or 2 days if cloudy)
SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) uses UV-A radiation from sunlight to inactivate pathogens in clear PET bottles exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6 hours on a sunny day.
CORE Outdoor Safety and Survival Skills 5
What is the minimum safe distance from a lightning strike zone when caught in an open field with no shelter?