This document provides reference material for the SAF Survey Course and introduces a methodology for the conduct of Safety Surveys by Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP). It is the first of two such documents. This document presents the General Principles (Level 1) of the ESARR3 requirement for ANSPs to conduct Safety Surveys as part of the Safety Assurance process. The second document provides amplifying reference on the methodology and techniques together with examples (Levels 2 & 3).