Application
This unit describes the skills required to use traditional techniques to construct and maintain improvised weapons and equipment in a survival situation. The individual is not expected to be an expert tool maker or craftsperson, but rather to have sufficient skills and knowledge to produce functional items of equipment that will increase their chances of survival.
This unit was developed for Defence personnel but may be relevant to others.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would act autonomously, while performing concrete tasks, in a broad range of contexts which may be highly unpredictable.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment | 1.1 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. 1.2 Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items. 1.3 Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design. 1.4 Make two |
2. Construct improvised weapons and equipment | 2.1 Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends). 2.2 Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items. 2.3 Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting. 2.4 Use knots and lashes to secure additional items. 2.5 Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment. 2.6 Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items. 2.7 Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking. |
Evidence of Performance
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 two
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
Evidence of Knowledge
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
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment with access to a suitable assessment area, with natural resources and a knife.
Consideration must be given to holistic assessment with other survival units.
While a person can demonstrate the ability to construct improvised weapons and equipment, doing so in a survival situation is crucial. Assessment under simulated survival conditions includes:
food restrictions
absence of normal living conditions and amenities
significant period of time
Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
ACSF levels indicative of performance:
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Survival