Effective December 15, 2010, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Washington online course—the official hunter education course of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Go to the new Washington course

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Washington certification.

9.3 Basic Requirements for Survival

To survive an unexpected situation, such as getting lost, you need only four things: a calm head, food, water, and shelter. Don’t panic! All of the food, water, and shelter in the world cannot help you if you panic in a survival situation. Keep calm and use your head! Your brain is your best survival tool!

Basic Survival Rules

Remain calm in an emergency. Avoid panic. Stay put!
Never travel or hunt alone.
Tell someone where you will be hunting and when you should be returning.
Know the weather conditions in the area where you will be hunting.
Dress for the weather … but be prepared for worse weather!
Avoid hypothermia. Know how to treat it if it strikes!
Carry a survival kit with you at all times.
Know how to build a fire even when everything is wet. Carry the materials you will need.
Carry a map and compass and know how to use them!
Be prepared to deal with the enemies of survival!

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Official hunting safety course for Washington hunters last modified: October 29, 2010
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Questions? Call Today's Hunter at 1-800-830-2268

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