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A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions (or points). Usually, a diagram called a compass rose shows the directions north, south, east, and west on the compass face as abbreviated initials.
- Overview
- Learning the Basics
- Using the Compass
- Finding Your Bearings When Lost
A compass is an essential tool in wilderness survival. Along with a good quality topographical map of the area you're navigating, knowing how to use a compass will ensure that you're never lost. You can learn to identify the basic components of the compass, take an accurate reading of your bearings, and start developing the necessary skills of navi...
Understand the basic layout of the compass.
While the designs of compasses are different, all compasses include a magnetized needle that orients itself to the magnetic fields in the Earth. The basic field compass, also sometimes called a baseplate compass, features the following simple components you should familiarize yourself with as soon as possible:
is the clear, plastic plate on which the compass is embedded.
is the arrow in the baseplate pointing away from the compass.
is the clear, plastic circle that houses the magnetized compass needle.
is the twistable dial surrounding the compass housing that displays all 360 degrees of the circle.
Gather your bearings to find out which direction you're headed.
When you're hiking around in the woods or in the field, it's good to periodically check your bearings to make sure you're going in the direction you intend. To do this, move the compass until the direction of travel arrow is pointing in the direction you've been traveling and will continue traveling. Unless you’re heading north, the magnetic needle will spin off to one side.
Twist the degree dial until the orienting arrow lines up with the north end of the magnetic needle. Once they're aligned, this will tell you where your direction of travel arrow is pointing.
Take off local magnetic variation by twisting the degree dial the correct number of degrees to the left or right, depending on the declination. See where the direction of travel arrow lines up with the degree dial.
Continue moving in this direction.
To do so, simply hold the compass in the proper stance, turn your body until the north end of the magnetic needle once again aligns with the orienting needle, and follow the direction of travel arrow. Check your compass as often as you need to, but be sure not to accidentally twist the degree dial from its current position.
Choose three prominent landmarks that you can both see and find them on your map.
One of the most difficult and advanced things you can do with a compass, but one of the most important, is finding out where you are when you don't know your exact location on the map. By locating distinctive landmarks you can see on your map, ideally as widely spread around your field of view as possible, you can get yourself re-oriented.
Aim the direction of travel arrow at the first landmark.
Unless the landmark is north of you, the magnetic needle will spin off to one side. Twist the degree dial until the orienting arrow lines up with the north end of the magnetic needle. Once they are aligned, this will tell you where your direction of travel arrow is pointing. Correct for declination, depending on your area.
Transpose the direction of the landmark onto your map.
Place your map on a horizontal surface and then place the compass on the map so that the orienting arrow points to true north on the map. Then, slide your compass around so that its edge passes through the landmark on the map, while the orienting arrow continues to point north.
- 12 min
- 1.6M
- Josh Goldbach
Compass directions help us understand where things are and how to get from one place to another. They are based on the cardinal points , the four main directions used on a compass. For even more accuracy, we can divide these main directions into eight or sixteen points.
How do you use a compass step by step? Here’s exactly how… STEP 1: ORIENT YOUR MAP & COMPASS. Your first step is to make sure that your map, your compass and your body are all facing magnetic north. Orient your map and compass. Turn your compass dial until it shows N at the index mark 1 under the direction-of-travel arrow 2.
Oct 29, 2022 · Use a compass to navigate by taking bearings and compensating for obstacles. Aim off when returning to a starting point in order to maintain course. If there's no opposite-side landmark, take a back bearing from the starting point. If you hit an obstacle, aim off by veering significantly to one side or the other of your bearing line.
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This fact sheet explains the basics of topographic map concepts, map reading, and the basic concepts on how to find your way with a compass. Objectives: Learn to measure distance on a map; Learn map scales; Learn navigation with a topographic map; Instructions:
