Bushcraft Tools and Techniques: The 4x4 Survival Reference Manual

What is Bushcraft and how does it differ to Survival?

Survival in a Survival Situation is a Short Term Strategy, Bushcraft is a Way of Life, its Forever.

Bushcraft is about Surviving and Sur-Thriving in a Wilderness Environment through the acquisition of ancient skills and knowledge.

Bushcraft challenges us to acquire the knowledge and skills of our Forefathers and by doing so, we gain a greater understanding of our natural environment and its interrelationships and dependencies. With this comes a Responsibility and Duty to become the Custodians of this Knowledge as well as Gaurdians of the Wilderness areas.

Friday 9 December 2011

The 4x4 Survival Reference Manual

In response to numerous requests by the Off-Roading Community, we will be putting together a 4x4 Survival Reference Manual. This will include the following sections which are in draft form at the moment:

Chapter 1: Wilderness Preparation

Introduction to Wilderness Preparation

Climate Zones

Ecological Territories

Chapter 2: Vehicle Preparation

Vehicle Selection

Vehicle Awareness

Communications

Navigational Equipment

Vehicle Equipment & Accessories

Recovery Equipment

Vehicle Spares

Vehicle Tools

Off-Road Driving Tips

Chapter 3: Wilderness Survival

Introduction to Wilderness Survival

Risk Identification – Breakdown, Getting Stuck, Damage, Accident

Planning & Preparation

Psychological Aspects of Survival

Survival Strategy – Stay or Go?

Elements of Survival

Prioritising the Elements of Survival

The Survival Plan

Chapter 4: Survival Equipment

Introduction to Survival Equipment

Vehicle Survival Kit

Individual Survival Kit

First Aid & Medical Kit

Chapter 5: Survival Techniques

Introduction to Survival Techniques

Water

Food

Shelter

Fire

Signalling

Navigation

Chapter 6: First Aid

Introduction to First Aid

Temperature Related

Chapter 7: Checklists

Vehicle

Tools

Vehicle Survival Kit

Individual Survival Kit

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News! News! News!

9th of January 2012:

The Bushcraft On-Line Training Course Modules and Components have been agreed:

Module # 1 – An Introduction to Bushcraft
1) Component # 1 – A brief history and definition of Bushcraft
2) Component # 2 – The purpose and objectives of Bushcraft

Module # 2 – Bushcraft Ecology
3) Component # 1 – Basic survival ecology
4) Component # 2 – Ecological territories

Module # 3 – Bushcraft Kit
5) Component # 1 – Emergency Survival Kit
6) Component # 2 – Essential Bushcraft Kit
7) Component # 3 – First Aid Kit

Module # 4 – Bushcraft Nutrition
8) Component # 1 – Metabolism
9) Component # 2 – Survival nutrients
10) Component # 3 – Priorities of life (Water)

Module # 5 – Improvisations and Bushcraft Skills
11) Component # 1 – Water
12) Component # 2 – Food
13) Component # 3 – Protection
14) Component # 4 – Tools and implements
15) Component # 5 – Making fire

Module # 6 – Edible and Useful Plants of Southern Africa
16) Component # 1 – Useful and edible plant parts
17) Component # 2 – Rules and testing for plant edibility
18) Component # 3 – Vegetation types of Southern Africa
19) Component # 4 – Most valuable survival plants in Southern Africa
20) Component # 5 – Fruits: plants, uses, fruiting period and distribution

Module # 7 – Animals: Their Survival Uses and Dangers
21) Component # 1 – Invertebrates
22) Component # 2 – Snakes
23) Component # 3 – Fish
24) Component # 4 – Birds
25) Component # 5 – Mammals
26) Component # 6 – Dealing with dangerous mammals

Module # 8 – Bush medicine
27) Component # 1 – Treatment of Bushveld illnesses and poisoning
28) Component # 2 – Treatment of bleeding and shock
29) Component # 3 – Treatment of heat and cold afflictions
30) Component # 4 – Treatment of general afflictions (fevers, headaches)
31) Component # 5 – Snake Bites
32) Component # 6 – Insect Bites

Module # 9 – Natural Navigation
33) Component # 1 – The Sun
34) Component # 2 – The Moon & Stars
35) Component # 3 – Nature as a Guide

Module # 10 – Basic Bushcraft Tracks & Signs
36) Component # 1 – Introduction to Tracks & Signs
37) Component # 2 – Other Tracks & Signs
38) Component # 3 – Nature as a Guide

Module # 11 – Basic Bushcraft Tracks & Signs
39) Component # 1 – Dangerous Game Rifles
40) Component # 2 – Weapons & Weapons Handling

This will be available on Line. Students will be able to download the course material and then complete the on-line questions. A practical distance course will be available for overseas students. South African students will be able to complete the practical part at a wilderness Bush Camp.

We will update you when the course will be available

Comming Soon:

1. A Bushcraft Bag: Put together a comprehensive Bushcraft Bag with equipment that you can easily assemble and take with you anywhere (Dec 2011)

2. The Basic Bushcraft Structure: Water, Food, Fire & Shelter

3. Cold Steel's Kukri Review 1: The basic tool (Jan 2012)

I will be reviewing Cold Steel's Kukri Machette. Based on the Nepalese Ghurka Khukhri Knife, this tool promisses to be a good all-rounder especially for chopping and battoning. Its weight forward design assists with more cut per chop equating to less fatigue. The continuos curve on the blade can be honed to various degrees allowing for different blade use. I am busy making a Kudu Leather (harvested a year ago) sheath that will go over the Cordura sheath that comes with the Kukri. This will include a pocket for a firesteel. Picture of Kukri below

4. Cold Steel's Kukri Review 2: Field Test (Jan 2012)

What is Bushcraft and how does it differ to Survival?

Friday 9 December 2011

The 4x4 Survival Reference Manual

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