Ky Furneaux Website

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.

Q&A Comments (11)

When should a full-body harness be used?
A full-body harness is essential and very useful for children. Because children's hips aren’t fully developed, they can slip out of a standard harness if they fall upside down. These harnesses are also used in situations where upside-down suspension could be an issue, though they’re less common in rock climbing. You’ll often see full-body harnesses in activities where people spend long periods suspended and need extra comfort and security. They’re also crucial in stunt work, where performers may need to be suspended or held in specific positions.
How can I make a humane trap?
You first need to assess your surroundings and consider the type of animal you're trying to catch. The goal is to use a system that quickly incapacitates the animal without causing harm. You’ll want a fast-closing trap that either traps or holds the animal securely until you can release it. Depending on what you’re trapping, you might need to choose between a deadfall trap or a snare, both of which can be effective. A deadfall relies on a weighted object that falls to trap the animal, while a snare works by tightening around the animal as it moves through the trap. Also look at the materials that's available to you—whether it's a box, sticks, rocks, or wire—then design your trap accordingly. Make sure the trap is strong enough to hold the animal without injuring it. The key here is to act quickly and check your traps regularly so you can safely release the animal as soon as you catch it. This way, you’re trapping for control or relocation and not harm. Lastly, always follow local regulations when setting your traps.
How can I make the knot more secure?
To make your knot more secure, you need a strong base. Tie a figure-eight knot at the end of your rope and leave about two feet of tail. Then, thread that tail through the right harness loops – check your manufacturer’s recommendations for which ones to use. Next, you take the end of the tail and thread it back through the original figure-eight knot. This will tighten it up a lot. To make it even more tighter and secure, tie a few half-hitches near the main knot. These half-hitches will act as a backup to stop the tail from slipping. To be extra safe, check the knot closely to make sure it’s tight and there are no twists in the rope. Some climbers like to add an extra knot, like a simple overhand knot, at the end of the tail for even more security. Just make sure you have enough tail when you do this.
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