Fundamental Module 1
Bushcraft Survival course
Our courses are conducted entirely outdoors from an expedition style base camp in natural surroundings
Become self reliant
Our 3 Day Fundamental Module 1 Bushcraft Survival Course will introduce you to the world of bushcraft and wilderness survival skills in a comprehensive and immersive way, providing the perfect introduction to begin your journey into the outdoors. The principles and priorities taught on this course are applicable to both a wilderness environment and an urban one.
This course is ideal for all people new to the bush, as well as experienced outdoor enthusiasts who want to revise and hone their skills. No experience is necessary however this is a challenging course as there are early mornings, late nights and you will need a reasonable level of health and fitness to maximise your participation and enjoyment of the course.
This course is a pre-requisite for all of our other more advanced courses.
Survival
Primarily equipment focused and originally designed to teach our military personnel (in the shortest possible time) a variety of necessary skills to enable them to survive in a remote or hostile environment, long enough to be rescued or to get out of that emergency situation (usually 72 hours) and back to safety in the fastest way possible.
Realistic survival training is based around the priorities of survival and what to do in what order (first-aid, clothing, shelter, fire, location, water, food and navigation). Survival skills are important skills to know for anyone who spends time out in nature or any activity or work that takes them “off the beaten track”.
Bushcraft
Focuses on maximum use of knowledge and skills with “minimal” reliance on equipment. Bushcraft is the parent subject that all survival training comes from and has a genuine direct relationship with the land and a deeper connection to nature.
Bushcraft draws from the knowledge and skills that traditional cultures across the world have used to survive and live comfortably in the wilderness for thousands of years and includes a variety of disciplines such as shelter-craft, fire-craft, botany, butchery, natural navigation, bind-craft, tool making,
The Difference
Bushcraft and survival overlap in terms of their desire for self-reliance but move away from each other in their desire for connection and relationship to the natural world. They both have two different ethical standpoints. In practise we can move from one to the other as they have very similar skill sets but ethically and philosophically bushcraft and survival are different. You will be taught a mix of both these perspectives from our small friendly team of well trained and passionate instructors who will ensure a rewarding and friendly learning environment. We provide an emphasis on teaching rather than just instruction. This provides the opportunity for real skill and knowledge acquisition and personal development.
Learn new skills
This challenging course will introduce you to a range of fundamental and necessary survival and bushcraft skills gleaned from military survival concepts, bushcraft and up to date civilian search and rescue concepts. There are a lots of skills to be learnt on this course so expect long days and later nights than you may be used to. You will be tired and pushed beyond your usual comfort zone so a positive mental attitude will enable you to get the most out of the course.
Our teaching methodology is very structured. Concepts are explained, demonstrated then you get to practise what you have been shown, culminating in an activity/scenario at the end of the course. There are also many timed deliverables where you will have an allocated period of time to perform given tasks. This adds an element of pressure to certain tasks to help simulate some of the stresses that could be encountered in a real situation. This approach provides the opportunity for real skill / knowledge acquisition and personal development.
The invaluable life skills you will learn on a Bushcraft Survival Australia course will help to instil self-confidence and help you to become more self-reliant
These core wilderness skills which are also applicable to an urban environment, will concentrate mainly on modern survival methods and equipment.
- Survival priorities and psychology
- Kit mentality, essential equipment and clothing
- Preparedness and emergency planning
- Safe use of cutting tools, basic grips and cuts
- Knife sharpening
- Knots and man-made cordage
- Setting up tarps/hoochies
- Improvised emergency shelter construction
- Fire lighting using modern methods (ferrocerium rod, electrical, solar, chemical etc.)
- Sourcing and preparing tinder and kindling
- Fire preparation and management
- Cleaning up and leaving no trace
- Water collection, filtering and purifying
- Useful trees and plants of the local area
- Emergency signalling
- Introduction to natural navigation (solar and celestial)
- Camp cooking with and without pots
- Campcraft and camp hygiene
- Living in an expedition field camp
Accommodation
This course is run entirely outdoors from an expedition style base camp, and you will either be sleeping in your own camping equipment that you will bring (see clothing and equipment list) or in the emergency shelter you will build yourself.
Amenities
A screened trench latrine in a secluded private spot, along with strict camp hygiene measures will give a natural wilderness expedition feel to your experience as well as teaching you essential outdoor toilet etiquette and how to leave no trace. 
You will be taught how to wash with limited water and stay clean in the bush. Our measures are low-impact and environmentally friendly.
Food
You will not be living from the land on this fundamental course, that is an advanced skill that you will learn on progression through our other courses. All meals will be provided on the course with full opportunity for each student to learn and practice some outback bush cooking. Learn how to use a camp oven, bake bread and cook in the coals. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fresh water, as well as a fruit bowl will also be provided at the base camp.
Whilst we try to cater for most dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant etc.), we cannot cater for lifestyle choices or fussy eaters due to the remote nature of our courses. You can supplement the provided food with your own snacks/food, but unless you are allergic/intolerant, you will be expected to eat the food supplied, as this provides in-context learning (eg: food you would eat in a survival situation).
After all, this is a bushcraft/survival course, not a wellness retreat and in a real survival situation you eat what you have or you go without!
Ideally, each student should have their own equipment to complete the required deliverable tasks as well as for future use, however we recognise that some of the items might be difficult to obtain. Taking this into account, some items can be provided by Bushcraft Survival Australia for you to use and return in good order at the end of the course.
Fixed blade knife
You will be given your own Morakniv of Sweden, carbon steel heavy duty “Companion” Knife which will be yours to keep (Fundamental Module 1 courses only). If you would like to bring your own knife we suggest you bring a plain (without serrations) full tang 5” (11cm) carbon steel blade with a 90 degree edge on the spine.
Take a look at the complete Equipment and Clothing list for detailed information on what you need to bring for the course.
Students will be charged for any damaged or missing equipment.
Bushcraft and survival training is closely intertwined with nature, the sun, stars, natural resources and the weather. There is no electricity. Therefore modern 40 hour week timetables you are used to need to be adapted.
Lessons will be taught both day and night and at unusual hours to accommodate nature, natural daylight hours and traditional cooking times using fire and natural resources. Some lessons and activities will take longer than others and some are sun and weather dependent so you need to remain flexible as things don’t always go to plan.
Traditional cooking using fire takes time so we will generally cook at night so we can maximize daylight hours for other tasks and activities so evening mealtimes might be later than you may be used to. There are a lots of skills to be learnt on this course so expect long days and later nights than you may be used to.
This course held in an expedition style camp, entirely outdoors. You will need a reasonable level of health and fitness to maximise your participation and enjoyment of the course. In the weeks leading up to your course we recommend you do several walks over uneven terrain to ensure your boots and backpack containing your gear (approximately 10-15kg) fit correctly.
There are late nights, early mornings and you will be on your feet a lot of the time.
Please be aware this is not a wellness retreat!
View frequently asked questions on our dedicated FAQ page.
If your question is not answered on the FAQ page, please contact us.
A photo gallery for every course can be found on the Bushcraft Survival Australia Facebook Page and the BSA Graduates Facebook page.
This course can cater to school groups.
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Price: Available on enquiry. Group discounts are available.
Minimum age: Year 7 students
Inclusions: 3 full days and 2 nights of instruction fully qualified instructors. All food and beverages, land use fees and insurance. Morakniv bushcraft knives will be loaned for the duration of the course
Group size: 20 students and 2 teaching staff
Course meeting time: 9:00am on Day 1
Course finish time: 5.00pm on Day 3
Duration: 3 days, 3 nights
Price: $830 (adult), $415 (child)
Minimum age: 12 years (participants under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult)
Inclusions: 3 full days and nights of instruction from fully qualified instructors, all food and beverages, land use fees, insurance and your own Morakniv bushcraft knife to keep
Number of places: 15
Course start time: 5.00pm on Day 0
Course finish time: 5.00pm on Day 3
Upon making your booking you will receive a link to the participant consent form (which must be filled out and returned immediately), along with other documentation about what to bring and where to go.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations made within 6 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 10%
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 25%
- Cancellations made less than 48 hours before a course commences will be refunded less 50%
Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Upcoming Fundamental Module 1 Courses
| Date | Course | Venue Subject to change | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26/11/24 - 29/11/24 | Fundamental Module 1 (3 days) | Coffs Coast, NSW | Book Now |
* NOTE: Priority is given to bookings on the Combined Fundamental Module 1 & 2 course or Combined Fundamental Module 1 & Remote First Aid courses. If you would like to book on the Module 1 only, please email us and you will be advised when a space is available.
Upcoming Combined Fundamental Module 1 & 2 Courses
| Date | Course | Venue Subject to change | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16/11/24 - 23/11/24 | Combined Fundamental Module 1 & 2 (7 days) | Coffs Coast, NSW |
Fully booked Email us to go on the waiting list |
Upcoming Combined Fundamental Module 1 & Remote First Aid Casualty Care
No courses currently available
