Predictions abound that the end of the world as we know it will happen this year. Whether the existence of humankind will end through massive solar flares, continents overthrown by water, killer earthquakes, epidemics, zombie infestations or man-made devastations such as economic downfall or nuclear accidents -- the thought is frightening.
For some self-reliant folks, prepping for the apocalypse is a reality, as shown in the new National Geographic Channel series "Doomsday Preppers" premiering Monday, September 17 at 9 p.m. With the show, viewers get to see how these people use a wide assortment of preparation styles and approaches to train themselves for the worst. In each episode, the progress of the preppers' survival plans are reviewed, assessed, and their overall preparedness and chances of survival are rated by a team of experts.
So how about you, do you think you have the skills, know-how and common sense to survive an apocalypse? Take the quiz, courtesy of National Geographic Channel below to find out. (Answers can be found below.)
National Geographic Channel photo.1. Which of the following is most important when faced with any survival situation?
a. A radio
b. A comprehensive survival kit
c. A positive mental attitude
d. Training
2. Which list of survival tasks is prioritized in the correct order?
a. Locate food, locate water, build shelter, build fire, tend to injuries
b. Address injuries, build shelter, build fire, locate water, locate food
c. Tend to injuries, build shelter, find food, find water, build fire
d. Locate Water, build shelter, tend to injuries, build fire, locate food
3. How long can a person survive without food?
a. Three days
b. Three minutes
c. Three weeks
d. Three hours
4. You're on a commercial sight-seeing flight over the Rockies when your light aircraft develops engine failure and crashes on a hillside. Apart from minor cuts and bruises you are uninjured but the other passengers and crew are dead. Your best chance of survival is to do what?
a. Gather some wild herbs to season the co-pilot
b. Gather your equipment and walk to safety, you're uninjured!
c. Scavenge survival equipment from the wreck and remain nearby
d. Get as far from the crash site as you can - it could explode
5. Finding and rendering water safe to drink is essential to survival. Which of the following methods is considered to be the best way to make water safe to drink?
a. Strain it through a sock lined with moss, charcoal and sand
b. Boil it
c. Just look for a running stream - if it's flowing it's safe to drink
d. Leave it in the sun - UV radiation will destroy any bacteria
6. Plants are one of the best sources of nutrition for an ordinary person in a survival situation.
a. True
b. False
7. Which of the following should be avoided when selecting a site to construct a shelter?
a. Provides protection against wild animals and rocks and dead trees that might fall
b. It must contain enough material to make the type of shelter you need
c. Should be next to a river - water is vital
d. It must be large enough and level enough for you to lie down comfortably
8. You are walking through the woods when you encounter a bear. The best course of action is to avoid eye contact and slowly back away.
a. True
b. False
9. It's a cold dark night in the woods after you've walked all day looking for rescue. You build a quick shelter and find yourself beginning to fall asleep. What should you do?
a. Stay awake-if you fall asleep, you may freeze to death
b. Go ahead and fall asleep
c. Close your eyes for 30-second intervals
d. Get up and start walking again
10. An important survival skill is knowing how to light a fire. Fire provides warmth, light, protection from predators and a psychological boost. Which of the following items could be used to start fire in a survival situation?
a. Flint and steel
b. Bow and drill
c. Ammunition
d. All of these
