Ella and Claire logged out of the We Are Explorers Slack (cheers boss!) for the day to attend Alone Australia’s Bushcraft Survival Bootcamp. They’ve logged back in with some valuable knowledge and shared the things that stuck with them most.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Dharawal and Gundungurra people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
Ella Garbett, Sales & Partnerships Manager
Definitely developed an emotional connection to the ferro rod
1. TAFE – There’s Acronyms For Everything!
After shaking the sleep from our eyes, caffeinating appropriately, and arriving at a bushy property in outer Camden, we were guided toward a billowing tent made from an old army parachute.
We soon met Gordo from Bushcraft Survival Australia and were bombarded with the most important acronyms we’re likely ever to learn.
PLAN is one of the simplest and most important acronyms used worldwide by both military and civilian agencies to help describe the priorities of survival and the best order in which to do them.
It lists what will harm you first and addresses those threats immediately.
P – Protection (first aid, clothing, shelter, and fire)
L – Location (attracting, holding, and directing attention, being found)
A – Acquisition (acquiring water, then food)
N – Navigation (travel, orienting yourself to your surroundings)
Save this to your phone so you’ve always got it on hikes!
2. Knowledge & Creativity Go Hand-in-Hand in a Survival Situation
As the morning unfolded, we were introduced to a range of essential skills needed to survive in the wild.
From knife handling and knot tying to shelter building, one thing became abundantly clear: creativity plays a crucial role in applying these newfound skills in inventive ways.
Knowing how to use a knife properly enabled us to craft tent pegs from sticks, while our knot-tying abilities opened up endless possibilities for creating shelters, clotheslines, and all sorts of practical contraptions.
We discovered that approaching each task with a creative and curious mindset allowed us to think outside the box, seeing the resources around us in a completely new light.
You can even make shelter from garbage bags
For instance, who would’ve thought that simply sliding a stick through a tarp grommet could be an effective way to secure it to a line? With a creative approach, the world truly becomes our (survival) oyster!
3. Next Time You Go on an Adventure, Pack a Bandana
Not only will you look like a sexy pirate, but this humble piece of cloth could also be the key to your survival. The more time we spent with the crew at Bushcraft Survival Australia, the more we discovered the countless uses of the trusty bandana.
From bandages to water filtration, flags and signals to slings and tourniquets – the possibilities are truly endless!
Don’t have a bandana with you? No problem! A simple T-shirt can do the job just as well in many situations.
For a snazzy green one with some of the best survival tips printed right onto it, check out BSA’s shop!
Read more: 5 Reasons to Carry a Bandana Bikepacking
Can’t wait to take this on adventures
4. Preparation is Key to Building a Sustainable Fire
Before sparks start to fly, it’s essential to spend some time gathering your resources correctly. Proper preparation ensures you won’t run out of fuel too quickly and find yourself scrambling to save your fire in those precious moments when every second counts.
First, focus on gathering your all-important tinder bundle. This should consist of fibrous, dried, or dead grasses, pieces of bark, or any material that can be easily shredded into a fluffy nest of fuel.
Always gather more than you think you’ll need, and if it’s wet, simply stuff it into your pockets for a couple of hours. The heat from your body will gradually dry it out.
Next, move on to your other fuel. Start with matchstick-sized twigs, then progress to pencil, thumb, and wrist-sized branches. Lastly, collect a few straighter sticks to form a base for your fire, ensuring that air can circulate freely beneath.
Preparation, preparation, preparation 🫡
Once you have all your materials ready, begin by lighting each one in turn, building a crisscrossing pattern as you go.
As the fire grows, gradually add your larger logs to construct a teepee shape to allow the fire to flourish. See this put into practice!
Claire Dalton, Assistant Editor
Dream team
5. ‘Fussy People Die’
There were plenty of banger quotes on the day, but this one stood out for good reason.
In a survival situation, you aren’t afforded the luxury (well, any luxury really) of being able to pick and choose your resources. Gordo shared that many people die unnecessarily from being picky. Not always because they’re precious, but because they may not understand the environment they’re in and default to a sanitised understanding of the outdoors.
A clear example was when we learned about water purification. I’ve always steered clear of grimy, stagnant ponds when acquiring water on hikes and usually have some sort of filtering gadget to do all the work for me.
But not knowing what to do when those options disappear in a sticky situation could be dangerous.
Gordo taught us that a Millbank bag, bandana, or thick piece of cloth is adept at coarse filtration – even if the water is full of scunge and kangaroo piss. We watched him turn the muddiest puddle water into crystal clarity right before our eyes.
Coarse filtration is the first step in reducing the load of pathogenic organisms that are attached to dirt. Then afterward, you boil it properly for at least a minute and it pretty much kills most contaminants except chemical ones. So be aware if your water source is close to industrial areas.
6. Aussies Might Not Be as Outdoor-Savvy as We Brand Ourselves to Be
Especially when it comes to outdoor etiquette. Having respect for nature and leaving no trace was rightfully lamented all day. We know about people trashing the Blueys or have seen the amount of toilet paper on trails, which takes ages to break down.
Read more: The Scoop On Poop – Best Products To Carry it Out
Gordo has trained in survival and bushcraft all over the world and can compare how Australia’s programs and behaviours fall behind when it comes to being resourceful and respectful outdoors.
Gordo from BSA
And he’s not wrong, an AllTrails survey in 2023 revealed that only one in three Aussies knew how to deal with getting lost, while a mere 6% felt confident dealing with a snake or spider bite.
In the words of poet Alexander Pope, ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing’. It might be time for us all to step up our outdoor safety skills.
7. Are Insects the Future of Meat?
We were surprised with a light arvo snack of… mealworms and crickets (I personally preferred the mealworms).
Insects are an easy food source to attain if you’re stuck in the wild and don’t know how to hunt game. They taste waaaay better after cooking, plus it helps remove some bacteria they carry.
It was interesting to learn that insects are slowly getting more traction as a potential protein source in western countries. They’re far more sustainable to farm than livestock and the average insect is about 50% protein. More than two billion people a day eat bugs! It’s definitely not a new concept.
This experience of picking (well, from a provided tub) and ‘processing’ these critters to eat, immediately gave me a sense of reverence for nature.
Nature’s popcorn?
I also reflected on modern western society’s disconnect from our food. I don’t see where my ingredients grow, I can’t hunt a thing (although, maybe bugs now?). Aside from selecting the most sustainable ingredients I can afford at the shops, it’s not like I really have the outdoors top-of-mind while eating a bowl of pasta. It does render me feeling a little useless.
Eating bugs made me want to learn more about how to source my own protein and really understand what it is to respect the planet through my plate.
8. Alone Australia Contestants Are Badass
Getting to meet Karla and Rick in their happy place and area of expertise was truly a privilege, and hits home how this kind of relationship with the outdoors fortifies your mental, physical, and skills-based aptitude.
Was eye-opening to listen to both of their stories on the show
Standing right next to us were individuals who, to quote Karla, have experienced ‘the hardest fun they will ever have’. Challenges that most of us will never know, and ways of life that beckon continual adventure and learning.
They should be incredibly proud of themselves (for eternity), and we can’t wait to see where their blazing trails lead them!
Very excited to watch how this year’s contestants go in the Tassie wilderness!
Make sure to tune into SBS on Demand on March 26th at 7:30pm for the first two episodes of season three!
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