AY Honors/Wilderness Living/Answer Key

1. Go on at least two weekend campouts during which you learn the skills called for in this honor.

These campouts can be done with your Pathfinder club, with your family, or with friends. You should also look at the requirements for the Pioneering honor, as you may be able to manage both honors on the two trips.

2. Tell five things to do if lost in the wilderness. Know three methods of determining directions without a compass.

What to do when Lost

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/Lost

Determining Direction without a Compass

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/No compass

3. Demonstrate three ways to purify drinking water.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/Purify water

4. Know three ways to collect drinking water in the wilderness and demonstrate two of these methods.

Catching rain water

This is probably the simplest way to collect drinking water, as long as it rains while you are camping. To catch water, simply stretch a clean tarp between trees such that the tarp is mostly horizontal. As it rains, the water will find its way off the tarp, usually in a stream. Place a basin beneath this stream and wait until it fills. You can also "tip" the water out of the tarp.

Catching dew

You can catch the morning dew by spreading a clean tarp flat on the ground. If a dew falls during the night, you can collect the water by sopping it up with a paper towel and wringing it into a container.

Solar still

A solar still can be used to extract pure water from just about anything that is wet. Start by digging a hole 25cm deep. Place a small container in the center of the hole - this will catch the water. Place damp matter (chopped up cacti, wet leaves, etc) in the hole around the container, and then cover the hole with a transparent plastic sheet. Weight down the edges of the plastic sheet so that it cannot slip into the hole, and place a small weight (such as a small rock) in the center of the sheet. This weight should be situated directly over the center of the container. As sunlight penetrates the sheet, it evaporates the water from the damp material in the hole. The water vapor rises until it reaches the sheet, where it condenses. As the water collects on the underside of the sheet, it runs downhill to the weight where it drips off, and hopefully, falls into the container.

From bodies of freshwater

You can also collect water from freshwater bodies such as rivers, springs, and lakes, but this water must be purified before using.

Melting snow

If you are in an area that has snow, you can collect it and melt it in a pot. Do not eat snow, as this will lower your internal body temperature and increase the risk of hypothermia.

5. Demonstrate two methods of judging the height of a tree and the width of a stream.

The main reason for wishing to estimate the height of a tree and the width of a stream would be so that you could cut down a tree and use it a a bridge to cross the stream. Of course, a responsible Pathfinder would never do this without permission from the landowner, and even then, only after careful consideration. How unfortunate for you though, if you cut down a tree that was not tall enough to span the stream, and what a waste of a good tree if it were too long!

Height Estimation, Method 1

In the first method presented here, you will need a ruler, or any object with evenly spaced markings on it. Walk up to the tree, and estimate a point on it that is a mathematically convenient height from the ground (say five feet, or two meters). Mark that spot so that you can see it clearly from a distance by tying a rope around the tree at that height.

Next, walk away from the tree so that you can see its top. Hold the ruler in front of your face, such that the line of sight from your eye to the base of the tree crosses the "0" mark on the ruler. This is line A in the diagram. Then move the ruler either towards or away from your eye until the line from your eye to the rope you tied to the tree crosses the "1" mark on the ruler. This is line B in the diagram. When the ruler is positioned correctly such that lines A and B point to the base and the known height, glance up and note the measurement where the line from your eye to the top of the tree (line C in the diagram) crosses the ruler. Do this without moving the ruler or your head. When you have this measurement, multiply it by the mathematically convenient height you selected in the beginning. This is the height of the tree.

For instance, suppose you selected 2 meters as the known height on the tree, and line C crossed the 5.5 mark on the ruler:

[math]\displaystyle{ height = 4.5\times 2 meters = 9 meters }[/math]

Height Estimation, Method 2

In the second method for estimating height presented here, you will need a sheet of paper. Fold the paper so that the left edge meets the bottom edge, forming a 45° angle. Sight along the bottom of the paper so that line A in the diagram points to the base of the tree. Then move closer to or farther from the tree until the line through the fold points to the top of the tree (line B in the diagram).

Be careful to not poke yourself in the eye with the corner of the paper. In fact, it would be prudent to cut off the corner. The angle will still be correct even without it.

When the bottom of the paper points to the bottom of the tree, and the fold in the paper points to the treetop, the distance between you and the tree equals the height of the tree. Estimate this distance by pacing it off. Every two steps is roughly 5 feet, or if you prefer metric, every step is roughly 75 cm (which means every fourth step is about 3 meters). For more precision, measure your stride and use that figure.

Width Estimation, Method 1

The first method we present here for estimating the width of a stream will involve choosing an easily seen marker on the opposite side, and designating is "Marker A". Place a second marker (B) directly across the stream from marker A, and the place two more markers (C & D) along the stream bank at equal intervals. That is, be sure that the distance from B to C equals the distance from C to D. Also, try to form a 90° angle from A to B to C. Walk away from the stream at 90° from line A-C until you can see that markers A and C line up. Mark the place where this happens with marker E. If your 90° angles are accurate and the distance from B-C and C-D are equal, the distance between E-D will equal the distance between A-B (which is the width of the stream).

Width Estimation, Method 2

Method 2 for estimating the width of a stream is exactly the same as method 2 for estimating the height of a tree, except that the paper is held horizontally instead of vertically. Find a marker on the opposite side of the stream to serve as the "treetop" (this could be a rock or a tree), and mark a spot on your side of the stream bank directly across from the marker on the other side. Walk along the stream bank as you sight along the bottom edge of the folded paper to the mark on your side, and sight along the folded edge to the marker on the opposite side. Move away from the marker until both line up. Then pace off the distance between you and the marker on your side. This will be equal to the distance across the stream.

6. Identify four wild animal or bird tracks.

See the Animal Tracking honor for instruction. The easiest kinds of tracks to find in North America are deer and raccoon, but you may also be able to find squirrel and opossum tracks. Coyote tracks are nearly indistinguishable from dog and wolf tracks. If you have access to a beach that is frequented by herring gulls, you should be able to find their tracks too.

7. Using a compass, follow a course for more than 100 yards (91.4 meters) with three different headings and less than 5% error.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Compass course

8. Identify in the wild, prepare, and eat ten varieties of wild plants.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/Ten edible wild plants

9. Have a personal survival kit of 15 items and know how to use each item.

Knife: A knife has many uses in a survival situation. It can be used for making fuzz sticks or wood shavings for tinder, carving wooden utensils, cutting cloth, cleaning fish, etc. Its use is limited only by your imagination.
Waterproof matches in a waterproof container: If it gets cold, you will need to light a fire. A fire is also necessary for boiling water (which is one way to purify it).
Metal cup: A metal cup (or a tin can) can be used to hold water while you boil it. It can also be used as a pot for cooking food, and as a dish for eating.
Flint or other firestarter: A magnesium block with a flint is an ideal backup for the matches.
Compass: The needle of a compass points to magnetic north.
Map: If you have a map of the area you're in as well as a compass, you should be able to find out where you are and find your way out.
Watch: A watch can be used as a compass too.
Waterproof ground cloth and cover: This will help you stay dry, and staying dry is critical for staying warm.
Flashlight
Binoculars: Useful for spotting game, rescue craft, rescue parties, etc.
Whistle: A whistle can be used for signaling a rescue party. It is far louder than your voice and can be heard even at great distances. Give three blasts on it to signal for help.
Fatty emergency foods: Nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, etc, are high in fat. Fatty foods are packed with calories, and if it gets cold, your body can convert calories into heat.
Food gathering gear
Signaling items
Rope: Many uses, especially in building a shelter, or climbing.
Emergency blanket: Emergency blankets (sometimes called space blankets) are very lightweight, foil-like sheets that reflect up to 90% of a persons body heat back towards the person. Cover yourself with it at night.
Aluminum foil: Can be used for cooking, or even shaped into a crude cup for boiling water.

10. Explain the necessity in wilderness living of adequate sleep, proper diet, personal hygiene, and proper exercise.

Adequate sleep, proper diet, personal hygiene, and proper exercise are all important for keeping the mind and body in tip-top shape. When you are in a wilderness situation, it is important to be in good condition, because if you need emergency medical assistance, it will not be easy to get. Keeping your mind sharp will help you make good judgment calls, and that, in turn, will help prevent you from a foolish accident. Keeping your body in shape will also help you avoid sprains, falls, and other accidents.

11. Have the First Aid honor. In addition to the First Aid honor, know the prevention, symptoms, and the first aid treatment for the following:

Template:Ay prerequisite

12. Demonstrate two ways to signal for help.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/First aid/Signaling aircraft

13. Demonstrate the principles of stalking and concealment.

In order to come close to an animal, trackers must remain undetected not only by the animal, but also by other animals that may alert it. Moving as quietly as possible, trackers will avoid stepping on dry leaves and twigs, and take great care when moving through dry grass.

If the trackers are in close proximity to the animal, it is important that they remain downwind of it, that is, in a position where the wind is blowing away from the animal in the direction of the tracker. They must never be in a position where their scent could be carried in the wind towards the animal and thereby alert it. It is also important that the animal does not have the opportunity to cross their tracks, since the lingering human scent will alert it. Most animals prefer to keep the wind in their faces when traveling so that they can scent danger ahead of them. Trackers will therefore usually be downwind from them as they approach the animals from behind. The wind direction may, however, have changed. If the wind direction is unfavorable, the trackers may have to leave the spoor (tracks and other indications of an animal's presence) to search for their quarry from the downwind side.

As the trackers get closer to the animal, they must make sure that they see it before it sees them. Some trackers maintain that an animal keeps looking back down its own trail, always on the alert for danger coming from behind. When the spoor is very fresh, trackers may have to leave the spoor so that the animal does not see them first. Animals usually rest facing downwind, so that they can see danger approaching from the downwind side, while they can smell danger coming from behind them. An animal may also double back on its spoor and circle downwind before settling down to rest. A predator following its trail will move past the resting animal on the upwind side before realizing that the animal had doubled back, and the resting animal will smell the predator in time to make its escape.

When stalking an animal, trackers use the cover of bushes, going down on their hands and knees where necessary. In long grass they go down on their stomachs pulling themselves forward with their elbows. The most important thing is not to attract attention by sudden movements. Trackers should take their time, moving slowly when the animal is not looking, and keeping still when the animal is looking in their direction. When stalking an animal, trackers must also be careful not to disturb other animals. A disturbed animal will give its alarm signal, thereby alerting all animals in the vicinity, including the animal being tracked down.

Text from The Art of Tracking: The Origin of Science, by Louis Liebenberg, with permission from the author. Taken from Wikipedia:Tracking (hunting)

14. Explain how to prepare and provide shelter on the following:

a. Snow slopes

b. Rocky areas

c. Swamps and marshes

d. Forests and tundra

15. Prepare a balanced menu for two people for a weekend. Prepare these meals while on a campout over an open fire or a camp stove.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/Balanced menu

16. Know ways to observe wilderness etiquette and how you can contribute to wilderness conservation.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Camping/Etiquette

17. Demonstrate how to tie the following knots and know their uses:

a. Bowline

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Bowline

b. Bowline on a bight

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Bowline on a bight

c. Clove hitch

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Clove hitch

d. Double fisherman's

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Double fishermans

e. Figure eight

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Figure 8

f. Prusik

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Prusik

g. Taut-line hitch

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Taut-line hitch

h. Two half hitches

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Two half hitches

i. Square

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Square

References