EXPLANATION
Mid-January is the coldest time of year in Northern Canada. The first problem the survivors face
is the preservation of body heat and the protection against its loss. This problem can be solved
by building a fire, minimizing movement and exertion, using as much insulation as possible, and
constructing a shelter.
The participants have just crash-landed. Many individuals tend to overlook the enormous shock
reaction this has on the human body, and the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot increases the shock.
Decision-making under such circumstances is extremely difficult. Such a situation requires a
strong emphasis on the use of reasoning for making decisions and for reducing fear and panic.
Shock would be shown in the survivors by feelings of helplessness, loneliness, hopelessness, and
fear. These feelings have brought about more fatalities than perhaps any other cause in survival
situations. Certainly the state of shock means the movement of the survivors should be at a
minimum, and that an attempt to calm them should be made.
Before taking off, a pilot has to file a flight plan which contains vital information such as the
course, speed, estimated time of arrival, type of aircraft, and number of passengers. Search-and-
rescue operations begin shortly after the failure of a plane to appear at its destination at the
estimated time of arrival.
The 20 miles to the nearest town is a long walk under even ideal conditions, particularly if one is
not used to walking such distances. In this situation, the walk is even more difficult due to
shock, snow, dress, and water barriers. It would mean almost certain death from freezing and
exhaustion. At temperatures of minus 25 to minus 40, the loss of body heat through exertion is a
very serious matter.
Once the survivors have found ways to keep warm, their next task is to attract the attention of
search planes. Thus, all the items the group has salvaged must be assessed for their value in
signaling the group’s whereabouts.
The ranking of the survivors items was made by Mark Wanvig, a former instructor in survival
training for the Reconnaissance School of the 101st Division of the U.S. Army. Mr. Wanvig
currently conducts wilderness survival training programs in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.
This survival simulation game is used in military training classrooms.
How to score
Each team should list its top 5 choices in order prior to seeing the answer sheet. To award
points, look at the ranking numbers on this answer sheet. Award points to each team’s top
choices according to the numbers here. For example, the map would earn 12 points, while the
steel wool would earn 2 points. Lowest score wins (and survives).