Skills for LifeTrueways Bush Survival Courses offer the ultimate experience in genuine wilderness survival, combining beautiful landscapes, enjoyable yet life-saving survival skills with the most exotic of wildlife in a once in a lifetime trip. Survival in the Bush is a challenge. To be in extreme weather and having many dangers to cope with, while offering a great deal of excitement will take inner strength, knowledge, skills and the right equipment - in that order. You must provide the strength and some of the kit and Trueways will help you develop the knowledge and skills which you will keep for life.
The need to be alert and in tune with your environment will never be more prominent, offering experiences and memories few can equal from the game packed bush landscapes of South Africa
Trueways courses are based on a tried and tested methodology which has been refined over many years of real life, hands-on practical experience. Developing and applying skills where necessary through in-situ supervised practice and understanding the basic principles will ensure you are equipped for life, whatever you have in your pack.
ProtectionFirst and foremost you need to protect yourself from danger and from the elements. To do this we use shelter. However, the appropriateness of a physical shelter is dependant upon the environment and the situation. During the course you'll spend many nights without a physical shelter simply using fire for protection, ensuring a quick and easy exit should the wildlife dictate it's necessary. For other elements of the course we'll also cover natural shelters and the safe use of temporary shleters.
You'll need to consider when to use different shelter types and where to locate them for maximum effect, ensuring maximum safety and availability of necessary resources not to mention making sure you're easy to find for any potential rescuers who may be trying to find you.
Fire Despite the soaring temperatures which are possible in the Bush during the day, the evenings can be very cold and the necessity for heat will become quickly clear. In addition to warmth, we also need fire in the bush to protect ourselves from the insects and other wildlife. Purifying any water we locate will also make use of the fire and if we need to signal for help, the fire is our rbiggest ally. You'll be taught how to properly light and maintain a fire in the Bush using whatever resources are available. Many of the same principles apply as in temperate climates, but you'll discover some vital differences in preparation, process and maintenance must be applied.
You will learn how to ensure your fire can be lit when it's needed most, and develop absolute confidence in your actions and abilities. This is something which will also greatly assist with fire-lighting when you get back home.
Signalling for Rescue Should you find yourself needing urgent assistance in extreme cold weater conditions, would you know how to maximise your chances of being located?
Being found can be more difficult than it sounds, so knowing how to be found and practicing these essential skills will open your eyes to the realities of prioritising with survival in mind in a Bush environment.
Acquiring Water We can survive approximately three days without water under normal conditions, but we need far more water in hot, dry environments such as the Bush. Although water holes can be found, it's not safe to simply drink water from them due to biological contamination which can make us sick and cause dehydration - something we must avoid at all costs in the bush.
There are also other much more obvious dangers which present themselves at the water's edge in the form of wildlife, so we need to learn how to safely acquire water very early on during our trip.
Food In a survival situation our need for food increases dramatically as we're often required to be more active than normal. Learn how to survive using the same resources and techniques as used by the indigenous people of the bush.Learning how to uncover edible plants and how to trap and prepare animals will ensure your continued survival in relative comfort, providing the necessary calories to going during the day and keep you warm at night.
Tracking In a survival situation our need for food increases dramatically as we're often required to be more active than normal. Learn how to survive using the same resources and techniques as used by the indigenous people of the bush.Learning how to uncover edible plants and how to trap and prepare animals will ensure your continued survival in relative comfort, providing the necessary calories to going during the day and keep you warm at night.
Survival Navigation Retaining orientation when landmarks and distinctive features are limited or non-existent can be difficult. Unfortunately however, it's also absolutely essential if you plan to move anywhere in the bush.
Learn how to safely navigate and avoid becoming geographically embarrassed by learning and practicing Survival Navigation Techniques using the sun and the stars and practice your new skills for real under expert supervision and guidance.
MedicalUnderstanding the psychological and physiological effects of being in the bush are essential to survival and to safely living or just being outdoors in the bush.
You will learn about the potential problems to be encountered, such as mental withdrawal, dehydration, heatstroke and how to recognise them and treat them.
You will also learn essential techniques to help avoid or handle poisonous stings and bites from some of the bush's less friendly insects and reptiles. Your instructors will guide you through the vital routines which become second-nature for bush living, avoiding serious medical dangers and ensuring your safety in such danger filled environments.
Your Journey to the Bush BeginsBefore setting off on your adventure, you will attend a pre-travel classroom course to take part in lessons and activities to ensure you are properly prepared and equipped for the course. You will also meet your travel companions and instructors. Experience tells us that understanding the risks and dangers before you arrive is essential in avoiding them. This fun and interesting day in the UK will also provide an opportunity to test your equipment with the instructors as well as checking out what goodies your travel companions have. Once everyone is happy with the safety elements of the course and all equipment is approved for use, you're all set for the trip, comfortable in the knowledge that you are properly prepared for what lies ahead.
Safety FirstIn accordance with UK Health and Safety Executive guidelines, a full risk assessment has been carried out for this course detailing emergency evacuation procedures and procedures for dealing with any nature of emergency, including liaison with local medical facilities. All activities are within easy reach of well equipped facilities and transport will remain within easy reach of the group at all times. Instructors will carry communications equipment weapons and are all current first aid trained with years of relevant experience.
Bush Course Prerequisites Due to the nature of our Bush courses, certain prerequisites must be met. These are:
Environment & LocationTrueways Bush Survival Courses are conducted in the unfenced game rish area of Nothern Province and Mpumalanga in South Africa. The location offers a mixture of typical arid, bush planes and water holes. The course will begin from a well stocked base camp before moving on to other aspects of the training without fixed accomodation.
Dates and Availability We run 2 courses each year typically on the last week of September into the first week of October. Please click the dates button below to see current dates and availability.
Spaces are limited to only 10 students on each Week.
Your Bush Adventure PackAt the end of your course, you will be presented with a Trueways Bush certificate and a 'Trueways Bush Certified' badge. In addition to this Trueways will photograph the course to capture much of the activity in stills. Each participant will receive a CD to keep of all of the photographs.
1 An official embroidered 'Bush Survival' badge2 A 'Professional Trueways Survival Kit'3 A Professionally Printed Survival Certificate4 A CD full of high quality Photos of the course
PricingCourse places are priced at £2250 per person.
What's included and what's notCourse costs cover training during the UK-based pre-travel briefing and during your time in South Africa for your course dates. All food and accommodation in South Africa during your course is also included. Course costs do not include travel to and from both the pre-course briefing nor travel to and from South Africa. Accommodation if necessary for the pre-course briefing is also not included. Teas, coffees and lunch will be provided on the pre-course briefing. Within South Africa, transfers to and from Johannesburg airport from the course location on the start and end date of your course is included. Transport to and from the airport in your country of origin is not included.
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