How Long Would I Survive in an Apocalypse?
It's the end of the world as we know it! Do YOU feel fine?
This quiz will tell you how long you could expect to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Would you die immediately? Or would you stick around long enough to see the rise of a new civilization?
Only one way to find out! Hit "Start Quiz" to begin!
Questions Overview
- A knife: lightweight, serves many purposes.
- A machete: lethal and useful.
- A baseball bat: blunt but effective.
- An ax: brutal but strong.
- By train: I like to be around other people.
- On foot: my body is the only thing I trust!
- By bike: I like the feel of the wind in my hair.
- By car: Is there any other way?
- The city: maybe I'll find more survivors!
- The mountains: solitary and fearsome, like me!
- I'm headed for the open ocean, baby!
- The country: nice, wide open spaces.
- Yes, the more the merrier!
- Absolutely not, I'm on my own.
- Probably not, but I'd consider it if they were really helpful.
- Only my family or some very close friends.
- A guitar, a water bottle, and a good book.
- A blanket, a pot, and a shovel.
- A sunhat, some bug-spray, and a pair of sunglasses.
- A map, a bandage, and some twine.
- Buttery popcorn
- Granola
- M&Ms
- Peanuts
- An abandoned skyscraper
- The supermarket
- An old, run-down quarry
- A secluded farmhouse
- Panic and scream.
- Run away.
- Kill it immediately.
- Watch and wait quietly. Maybe it'll go away.
- I live it up and do whatever I want!
- I settle into a secure and solitary life. It's repetitive, but safe.
- I'm always on the road. I never do the same thing twice.
- I find survivors in my area and form a community.
- Night of the Living Dead: a classic
- Dawn of the Dead: who doesn't love the mall?
- Zombieland: I like to laugh!
- 28 Days Later: psychological and intense
More Quizzes
What Do My Results Mean?
The apocalypse is no joke! Whether it's caused by zombies, environmental collapse, global war, or some other disaster, you'll need know-how, an optimistic mindset, and a lot of luck, but with some preparation, you can feel confident in your odds of survival.
WikiHow chatted with wilderness and survival expert Doug Flinders for his advice on how to prep for the apocalypse. His first tip? Spend more time in nature, if you don't already: "The more time you spend in nature, the more comfortable you’ll become. If you’re from the city and unused to the wilderness, it can feel intimidating at first. But immersing yourself gradually will help you feel more at ease."[1]
Flinders also recommends making sure you have Dave Canterbury's 5 C's of Survival whenever you're out in the wilderness for extended periods—that is, five essential items that you need for survival, but that are difficult to find in nature:[2]
- Cutting Tool: "A knife, axe, or something for processing wood and making tools," Flinders explains.
- Container: "Something to carry and boil water in, preferably metal."
- Cordage: "Rope or twine, because making natural cordage is time-consuming and difficult."
- Cover: "Clothing, tarps, or materials to create shelter and stay protected from the elements."
- Combustion: "A fire-starting tool, like a lighter or ferrocerium rod."
We also asked Flinders what he would prioritize in a situation where he was lost or trapped in the wilderness. His answer? "The first two things I’d worry about are hypothermia and dehydration."[3] He advises making a shelter as soon as you can out of forest debris: "I’d gather leaves, needles, and anything else on the forest floor to make a pile big enough to crawl under, like a wild animal. This would act as an insulator if temperatures drop or if I get wet." As far as finding water, he recommends "[looking] for moving water, like a stream, since stagnant water is risky."[4]
Want to learn more?
For more information on how to survive an apocalypse, check out these resources:
