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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment
   • Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation.
   • Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items.
   • Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design.
   • Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing.
2. Construct improvised weapons and equipment
   • Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends).
   • Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items.
   • Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting.
   • Use knots and lashes to secure additional items.
   • Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment.
   • Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items.
   • Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking.
3. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment
   • Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation.
   • Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items.
   • Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design.
   • Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing.
4. Construct improvised weapons and equipment
   • Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends).
   • Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items.
   • Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting.
   • Use knots and lashes to secure additional items.
   • Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment.
   • Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items.
   • Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

sharpening and maintaining a knife

tying knots and lashings/seizing/whipping

maintaining a range of survival weapons and equipment

producing a range of items according to the survival situation, but must include:

either digging stick:

length – minimum half user’s body length

shaft diameter – minimum 2.5 centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

or spear:

length – minimum three-quarters user’s body length

shaft diameter – maximum two centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

either bed:

length and width – must cover user’s body when flat with arms by sides

height – must elevate user at least ten centimetres off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding to prevent framework from unduly discomforting user

or seat:

dimensions – seat must cover user’s posterior

height – must elevate to user’s knee level off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding (including bark, grass)to prevent discomfort through pressure of framework

improvised cordage:

six metres

minimum twoply lay

capable of supporting twenty kilograms weight

maximum six millimetres diameter

basket:

minimum side and bottom length twenty centimetres

carry handle attached

capable of securing survival items during travel

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

knife and weapon safety

fire safety

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