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As interest in survival skills surge, the wilderness is getting pretty crowded

Some are motivated by fear that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Some just want to know themselves away from the safety net of technology and household comfort. Whatever the reason, a growing number of Australians are asking themselves: Are you ready for anything? Coco Veldkamp reports.

Gordon Dedman knows how to hold a crowd captive. With a splay of knives laid out in front of him he first carves a mallet, then a tent peg, and then a spearhead, each fashioned with quick, strong strikes of his blade against the wood.

Each movement is etched with the muscle memory of his years in the military and extensive bushcraft training.

Australians are hungry for survival know-how and bushcraft skills, Dedman says. Since he founded his outdoor bushcraft survival skills school in 2017, he has witnessed a surge of enthusiasts clamouring to join the expanding waitlist for his courses.

Read the full article here.

The Project

Gordon Dedman, the bushcraft/survival consultant on the new Alone Australia TV series and Mike Atkinson (Alone Australia participant) were featured on The Project to discuss the increasing popularity of bushcraft and survival courses.

Read full article here.

Could you survive alone in the bush?

Survival consultant from the hit TV show ‘Alone Australia’ reveals the secrets to sustaining yourself in the wilderness.

Gordon Dedman, a survival advisor, who played a crucial role in the making of ‘Alone Australia,’ also leads immersive programs in the Australian bush, teaching valuable skills to adventure enthusiasts.

He delved into the captivating world of wilderness survival with Deborah Knight, discussing his experiences on the TV show and the essential skills needed for anyone venturing into the bush.

Dedman explained the ‘rule of 3’s’ in a survival setting, stating that “food is the final thing that you prioritise. You can survive three minutes without air, three days without water and three weeks without food”.

Listen to the interview above or by following this link.

Limitless with Chris Hemsworth

Gordon was the survival / bushcraft consultant for the National Geographic documentary “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth” Episode 5 “Memory”, seen here with Chris Hemsworth and Otis Carey.

In the fifth episode, Chris has always worked to keep his body healthy; now it’s time to start looking after his brain. Neurologist Dr. Sharon Sha challenges him to go off-grid into the wilderness without a GPS or map. Teaming up with his buddy, First Nations artist Otis Hope Carey, Chris will need to tune into nature to navigate through Otis’ remote ancestral homeland. The hike stirs up Chris’ most precious memories.