Survival Scenario
In my management class last night, we broke up into teams and did the following activity.
You and your companions have just survived a small plane crash. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. It’s mid-January, and you are in Northern Canada. The daytime temperature is 25 below zero, and the night time temperature is 40 below zero. There is snow on the ground, and the countryside is wooded, with several creeks crisscrossing the area. The nearest town is 20 miles away. You are all dressed in city clothes appropriate for a business meeting. Your group of survivors has managed to salvage the following items:
- A ball of steel wool
- A small axe
- A loaded .45-caliber pistol
- A can of Crisco shortening
- Newspapers (one per person)
- A cigarette lighter (without fluid)
- Extra shirt and pants for each survivor
- 20 X 20 ft. piece of heavy-duty canvas
- A sectional air map made of plastic
- One quart of 100-proof whiskey
- A compass
- Family-size chocolate bars (one per person)
Rank these items 1-12, with 1 being the most important to survival and 12 being the least important, then we’ll compare them to an expert’s ranking and see how you stack up in survivor skills. My group had a difference of 32.
NO CHEATING!!! Don’t google for the expert’s rankings…where’s the fun in that?!? And you won’t have google when you’re stranded in the Canadian tundra! 
I’ll post the expert’s rankings and reasons in a couple days.
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Nov 21st, 2007 at 00:32:02
I’ll bite. here’s my guess, 1-12.
* Extra shirt and pants for each survivor
* 20 X 20 ft. piece of heavy-duty canvas
* A cigarette lighter (without fluid)
* Newspapers (one per person)
* Family-size chocolate bars (one per person)
* A small axe
* A sectional air map made of plastic
* A compass
? * A can of Crisco shortening
* A loaded .45-caliber pistol
* One quart of 100-proof whiskey
A ball of steel wool
Nov 21st, 2007 at 09:32:30
Hmm…good one!
My list and rationalizations, with priorities on starting a fire, getting shelter, food, the escape.
* A cigarette lighter (without fluid) — can use the flint on the lighter to ignite steel wool/newspapers to make fire
* A ball of steel wool — good flammability
* A small axe — cut firewood, make spears, etc.
* 20 X 20 ft. piece of heavy-duty canvas — roof of a lean-to
* Extra shirt and pants for each survivor — dry clothes, once you get a fire going.
* Newspapers (one per person) — kindling, insulation for clothing.
* A loaded .45-caliber pistol — defense, hunting
* One quart of 100-proof whiskey — clean any wounds, use bottle for water.
* Family-size chocolate bars (one per person) — quick energy. S’mores (just kidding!)
* A compass — walking to the nearest town
* A can of Crisco shortening (no idea!) — maybe useful to make a torch or fire-carrier?
* A sectional air map made of plastic — raincatcher/water carrier?
Nov 21st, 2007 at 13:03:06
Why are the dead pilot and co-pilot not listed in the supplies? just thinking outside the box.
Nov 22nd, 2007 at 23:36:20
Anyone else want to play along? I’ll post the expert’s rankings tomorrow (Friday)…
Nov 24th, 2007 at 00:55:35
Here are the item ranked by Mark Wanvig, a former instructor in survival training for the Reconnaissance School of the 101st Division of the U.S. Army. You can see more details about the reasons at http://scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/SurvivalGame.htm
1. Cigarette lighter (without fluid)
Even without fluid, a cigarette lighter can create sparks.
2. Ball of steel wool
This is the best substance Good for catching a spark and supporting a flame, even if the steel wool is a little wet.
3. Extra shirt and pants for each survivor
Besides adding warmth to the body, clothes can also be used for shelter, signaling, bedding, bandages, string (when unraveled), and fuel for the fire.
4. Can of Crisco shortening
This has many uses. A mirror-like signaling device can be made from the lid. After shining the lid with steel wool, it will reflect sunlight and generate 5 to 7 million candlepower. This is bright enough to be seen beyond the horizon. While this could be limited somewhat by the trees, a member of the
group could climb a tree and use the mirrored lid to signal search planes. If they had no other means of signaling than this, they would have a better than 80% chance of being rescued within the first day.
There are other uses for this item. It can be rubbed on exposed skin for protection against the cold. When melted into an oil, the shortening is helpful as fuel. When soaked into a piece of cloth, melted shortening will act like a candle. The empty can is useful in melting snow for drinking water. It is much safer to drink warmed water than to eat snow, since warm water will help retain body heat. Water is important because dehydration will affect decision-making. The can is also useful as a cup.
5. 20 x 20 foot piece of canvas
Protect against wind and snow, used as a tent or a wind screen, ground cover or a signaling device (when contrasted with the surrounding terrain)
6. Small ax
Used to get wood as well as for clearing a sheltered campsite, cutting tree branches for ground insulation, and constructing a frame for the canvas tent.
7. Family size chocolate bars (one per person)
Provides energy; contains mostly carbohydrates, so it supplies the energy without making digestive demands on the body.
8. Newspapers (one per person)
Useful in starting a fire, insulation under clothing when rolled up and placed around a person’s arms and legs, verbal signaling device when rolled up in a megaphone-shape, reading material for recreation
9. Loaded .45-caliber pistol
Sound-signaling device, the butt of the pistol could be used as a hammer, and the powder from the shells will assist in fire building
10. Quart of 100 proof whiskey
Used as an aid in fire building and as a fuel for a torch; the empty bottle could be used for storing water.
11. Compass
Because a compass might encourage someone to try to walk to the nearest town, it is a dangerous item. It’s only redeeming feature is that it could be used as a reflector of sunlight (due to its glass top).
12. Sectional air map made of plastic
This is also among the least desirable of the items because it will encourage individuals to try to walk to the nearest town. It’s only useful feature is as a ground cover to keep someone dry.
Nov 24th, 2007 at 01:01:16
Nick - you had a difference of 38
Harold - you came in at 22
Nov 24th, 2007 at 19:58:32
Guess I’m not a good choice for being stranded with.
The crisco threw me for sure, and the steel wool, I didn’t realize it was so flammable.
Nov 24th, 2007 at 20:22:44
I think your score was about average, so you didn’t do horrible. Crisco threw almost everyone in my class. I fell for the whiskey myth, that it would keep you warm. That’s why teams are good - what some don’t think about, or think incorrectly about, others can compensate
Jun 17th, 2008 at 13:05:44
Hi Chris..
This is amazin stuff .
Thx,Hemanth