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Ky Furneaux

Survival and Outdoors Expert

Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone.

Education

  • BA, Business, University of South Australia

Professional Achievements

  • Published five works as an author, making her one of the most published survival authors in the world
  • Created her own three-part mini series, titled Outback Lockdown
  • Participated in some of the hardest survival challenges ever attempted on television

Certifications & Organizations

  • Winner, World Taurus Stunt Awards, "Best Stunt Done by a Female", 2012

Favorite Piece of Advice

You are capable of far more than you believe you are. What you perceive as your limits are only just the beginning of what you can achieve.

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Forum Comments (3)

How do you become a stunt double?
To become a stunt performer, it usually takes about 3-5 years. It is different in every country so it’s important to check and see the requirements of your country. For example, UK and Australia have certain qualifications and experience in different physical disciplines that you will need to be considered. I find that working on set as an extra or background performer is good as it gives you on-set experience and allows you to introduce yourself to people in the stunt world. I would also compile a video of your best action skills to be able to send to stunt coordinators to prove you have what it takes to work as a stunt performer.
How do you survive if you get lost or stranded in the wilderness?
The most important thing to do if you get lost or stranded in the wilderness is to not panic. Get out of immediate danger and then take a second to assess your situation. Unless you have a known goal in mind, it is better to stay put and make the most of the location you are at as it’s easier for rescuers to find you if you are not moving. My next actions will depend on what I decide is my most important survival need. A good way to prioritize your needs in a survival situation is to look at the rule of threes - you can last 3 hours in extreme heat or cold so if you are in one of these climates, shelter and warmth or cooling down will be your priority. Next you can last about 3 days without water so begin to look for a good water source. Lastly, you can last about 3 weeks without food so generally this won’t be a priority until all other needs are taken care of.

My next priority would be rescue. This involves making my location as visible as I can from both the air and ground. A large SOS in a clearing and bright colours tied to trees to attract attention helps as well as assembling fire making materials to create a smokey fire if I hear planes or helicopters.
What's essential to prepare for a hike?
Before heading off on a hike or camping trip I would be looking at the climate expected for that region at the time of year I am heading out and preparing accordingly. I would make sure that I have both paper versions as well as electronic versions of the area map and look at what type of animal interactions are common in that region. I would also make sure I had the right gear for the trip and enough resources either with me or available in the area to make sure my trip is successful.

I think the most important piece of gear to carry with you into the outdoors is a good bushcraft blade . There are many trains of thought as to what works best but I will always go for a 6”, full tang blade with a reputable company such as MoraKnives. You can take care of all of the rest of your basic needs more easily with a sharp blade.

Co-authored Articles (87)

How to Pee Standing Up as a Woman: With and without a Device

Avoid the awkward squat-to-pee and let your stream go while staying uprightWhether you’re dealing with a dirty public restroom, a hiking trail without any pit stops, or a long camping trip, there may come a time when y...

How to

Light a Match

When it comes to starting a fire, matches are one of the oldest and most reliable options around. Matches use the heat created from rubbing against a rough striking surface to ignite a small amount of flammable fuel. Whi...

How to

Survive a Nuclear Attack

What would you do to survive if nuclear war broke out tomorrow? You’re not alone if you’re worried as you scroll through your feed or watch the news. Experts say the risk of all-out nuclear war is unlikely, but knowi...

How to

Survive an Apocalypse

What will happen if society collapses? What would you do if there's no one to help you or your family? Disaster preparedness is more than worrying––it's also about being practical, preparing for realistic scenarios a...

How to

Use an Analog Watch as a Compass

If you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness or adrift at sea with no way to tell which direction you're traveling, an analog watch (or any similar clock face) can act as a compass and help you get your bearings. All...

How to

Identify Flint

Flint, also known as chert, is a type of sedimentary rock that has many uses. It was once commonly used to form rudimentary tools like knives and spear tips. Flint is often used by outdoorsmen to create sparks for a fire...

How to

Start a Fire with Sticks

If you're camping or hiking and discover you have forgotten the matches, knowing how to start a fire with sticks is a very useful skill. The bow drill and hand drill method are well-established fire-starting techniques t...

How to

Close a Pocket Knife

Pocket knives are useful tools for making cuts on the go. Knives come in a variety of styles with different locking mechanisms to keep the blades secure. No matter what style knife you're using, it can easily be closed a...

How to

Survive a Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of destructive and dangerous waves that are typically caused by earthquakes and underwater seismic activity. If you live in a tsunami hazard region, make sure you know what to do in the unfortunate ...

How to

Survive an Avalanche

You're enjoying the pristine mountain air and fresh powdered snow when suddenly, the ground rips out from under you. If you're in avalanche country, you'd better know how to act, and fast, or you could get buried under s...

How to

Survive a Plane Crash

The chances of dying on a commercial airline flight are actually as low as 9 million to 1. That said, a lot can go wrong at above the ground, and if you’re unlucky enough to be aboard when something does, the decision...

What to Do If You Get Stuck in an Elevator

Everything you need to know in an elevator emergency We’ll tell you up front that a stuck elevator happens more often in the movies than in real life, and when it does, it’s very rarely any cause for concern. On the ...

How to Set Up & Take Down a Tent: Easy Instructions

Follow these simple steps for a stress-free night under the starsWe've all been there: It's getting dark, it's cold, a wind's coming up, and you've got to sleep outside tonight. Pretty much the worst time ever to forget ...

How to

Create an Indoor Tent

Tents are fun for kids and adults alike. Tents are fun for playing house or for gathering during story time.They make great reading nooks, meditation spaces, or just quiet spaces in which to hide away. You can make a sim...

How Can You Survive an Earthquake? Safety Tips & Strategies

Learn what to do before, during, and after a major earthquakeEarthquakes strike without (or with limited) warning and are among the most destructive natural disasters. To ride out an earthquake, remember the phrase “dr...

How to

Make a Water Filter

Water is essential to life. This technique is very useful when you are hunting to survive. People can live up to a week without food, but only two to three days without water. Clean water can be hard to find if you get s...

How to

Survive a Fall from a Two Story Window

Whether you accidentally fall off a balcony or you’re trying to escape a fire by jumping out of a window, the thought of falling multiple stories is pretty scary. While there's no guarantee for survival, there are ways...

How to

Make a Gas Mask

Keep yourself safe from harmful chemicals or gases with a handy homemade gas mask Whether you are want to defend yourself from the apocalypse or against a round of police tear gas, having your own gas mask prepares you f...

How to

Make a Paracord 550 Bracelet Without Buckle (Cobra Stich Followed by King Cobra)

Paracord has outstanding tensile strength and there are seven strands in the cord itself. Therefore, by wearing a paracord bracelet means carrying a life saver along .There are multiple uses of paracord: you can tie almo...

How to

Pack a Trekking Pole

If you’re going on a hiking trip and you want a little help navigating tough terrain, you may want to bring your trekking poles with you. Trekking poles make it a lot easier to stabilize yourself while you’re hiking,...
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