The compass is a fundamental tool for survival in the wild. Together with a good quality topographical map of the area you are exploring, knowing how to use a compass will ensure you never get lost. You can learn to identify the basic components of a compass, accurately read your direction, and begin to develop the necessary navigation skills with a few simple steps. See Step 1 to get started with learning to use your compass.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Basics
Step 1. Understand the basic layout of the compass
Although the designs of the compasses are different, each compass includes a magnetic needle that points itself into the magnetic field of Earth. The basic field compass, also sometimes called the baseplate compass, features the following simple components that you should familiarize yourself with as soon as possible:
- Baseplate is a clear plastic disk on which the compass is embedded.
- travel direction arrow is an arrow on the baseplate that points the opposite direction of the compass.
- compass house is a clear plastic circle that holds the needle of a magnetic compass.
- The degree dial is a rotatable dial around the compass housing that displays all 360 degree points in a circle.
- magnetic needle is the rotating needle in the compass housing.
- The pointing arrow is the non-magnetic arrow in the compass housing.
- The pointer line is the line in the compass housing that runs parallel to the directional arrow.
Step 2. Hold the compass properly
Place the compass flat on your palms and palms in front of your chest. This is the right attitude for the compass when traveling. If you are reading a map, place the map on a flat surface and place the compass on the map to get a more accurate reading.
Step 3. Find out which direction you are facing
As a quick basic exercise for orienting yourself, it's good to know which direction you're heading or going. Look at the magnetic needle. It should swing to one side or the other, unless you're facing North.
- Rotate the degree dial until the pointing arrows align with the magnetic arrows, point them both North, and then find the rough direction you're facing by looking at the direction arrows. If the current direction arrow is between N (U) and E (T), for example, you are facing Northeast.
- Find where the direction of travel arrow intersects the degree dial. To get a more accurate reading, look closely at the degree marker on the compass. If it intersects at 23, you are facing 23 degrees Northeast.
Step 4. Understand the difference between "True" North and "Magnetic" North
While it may seem confusing that there are two types of "North," it's a basic difference that you can learn quickly, and it's an important piece of information to learn in order to use a compass properly.
- True North or Map North refers to the point where all lines of longitude meet on the map, at the North Pole. All of the maps are laid out the same way, with True North at the top of the map. Unfortunately, due to variations in the magnetic field, the compass will not point to True North, but rather will point to Magnetic North.
- Magnetic North refers to the tilt of the magnetic field, about eleven degrees from the Earth's axial tilt, resulting in a difference between True North and Magnetic North of 20 degrees in some places. Depending on where you are on the earth's surface, you will have to take Magnetic shift into account to get an accurate reading.
- While the difference may seem small, traveling just one degree for a mile (1.6 km) will leave you straying about 30 m (100 feet) off course. Think about how targeted you will become after ten or twenty miles. It is very important to compensate taking into account the declination.
Step 5. Learn to correct declination
Declination refers to the difference between North on a map and North on a compass at a given point, given the Earth's magnetic field. To make it easier to use the compass, you can correct the declination by either adding or subtracting the declination from your direction in degrees, depending on whether you took the direction from the map or from the compass, and whether you are in an area with an East or a West declination.
- In the US, the zero declination line runs through Alabama, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with a slight diagonal. East of that line, the declination is oriented westward, meaning that Magnetic North lies a few degrees west of True North. West of the line, the opposite is true. Know the declination of the area where you will be traveling so you can compensate for it.
- Suppose you take directions from a compass in an area with a west declination. You will reduce the number of degrees needed to get the correct direction that fits on your map. In areas with an East declination, you will add degrees instead.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Compass
Step 1. Gather your directional data to find out which direction you are heading
If you're hiking around in the woods or in the field, it's a good idea to check your direction periodically to make sure you're going in the direction you want. To do this, move the compass until the direction of travel arrow points in the direction you have traveled and are about to take. Unless you're heading north, the magnetic needle will rotate to one side.
- Rotate the degree dial until the pointing arrow aligns with the north end of the magnetic needle. Once they are aligned, it will tell you which direction your travel arrow is pointing.
- Eliminate local magnetic variation by turning the degree dial the correct degree to the left or right, depending on the declination. See in which direction the travel arrow aligns with the degree dial.
Step 2. Keep moving in this direction
To do this, simply hold the compass in the proper posture, reposition yourself until the north end of the magnetic needle is once again aligned with the needle, and follow the direction of the travel arrow. Check your compass as often as you need, but make sure you don't mistakenly turn the degree dial from its current position.
Step 3. Focus on a point in the distance
To accurately follow the direction the arrow is traveling in, look at the arrow, then focus on a distant object such as a tree, telephone pole, or other sign, and use this as a guide. Don't focus on something too far away, like a mountain, as large objects are not precise enough to navigate accurately. Once you have reached each guide point, use the compass to find another guide point.
If visibility is limited and you cannot see distant objects, use another member of your walking herd (if available). Stand still, then ask them to walk away from you in the direction indicated by the direction of the travel arrow. Call them to correct their direction as they walk. When they approach the edge of visibility, ask them to wait until you catch up with them. Repeat as necessary
Step 4. Transpose the direction of travel to your map
Place your map on a horizontal surface, then place the compass on the map so that the arrow points to true north on the map. If you know your current position on the map, move the compass so that the edge passes past your current position, but the arrow continues to point north.
Draw a line along the edge of the compass and through your current position. If you keep this direction, your trace from your current position will follow the line you just drew on your map
Step 5. Learn to take directions from the map
To find out which direction you need to go to get somewhere, place the map on a horizontal surface and place the compass on the map. Use the edge of the compass as a ruler, positioning it so that it creates a line between your current position and where you want to go.
- Rotate the degree dial until the arrow points to true north on the map. This will also align the compass pointer line with the map's north-south line. After the degree dial is silent, save the map again.
- In this case, you'd be correcting for declination by adding the appropriate degrees in areas with a west declination, and subtracting in areas with an east declination. This is the opposite of what you would do when you first determine your direction from the compass, so it's an important distinction.
Step 6. Use the new directions to navigate
Hold the compass horizontally in front of you with the travel arrow pointing away from you. Use these arrows to guide you to your destination. Rotate your body until the north end of the magnetic needle is aligned with the pointer, then you will be properly oriented towards your destination on the map.
Part 3 of 3: Finding Direction when Lost
Step 1. Choose three prominent landscape markings that you can see and find on your map
One of the most difficult and sophisticated things you can do with a compass, but one of the most important, is figuring out where you are when you don't know your exact location on the map. With the location of the signature mark that you can see on your map, ideally as widely spread out as you can in your field of view, you can find yourself reoriented.
Step 2. Point the direction of the travel arrow at the first sign
Unless the sign is north of you, the magnetic needle will rotate to one side. Rotate the degree dial until the pointing arrow aligns with the north end of the magnetic needle. Once they are aligned, it will tell you in which direction your travel arrow is pointing. Correct the declination, depending on your area.
Step 3. Transpose the direction of the sign onto your map
Place your map on a horizontal surface and then place the compass on the map so that the pointing arrow points to true north on the map. Then, move the compass so that its edge passes over the mark on the map, while the arrow continues to point north.
Step 4. Triangulate your position
Draw a line along the edge of the compass and through your approximate position. This is the first of three lines you will draw to find your position by forming a triangle with the other two marks.
Repeat this process for the other two landmarks. When you're done, you'll have three paths forming a triangle on your map. Your position is in this triangle whose size depends on the accuracy of your direction. More accurate directions reduce the size of the triangle and, with a lot of practice, you can get lines that intersect at one point
Tips
- You can also hold the compass straight to your torso by holding the sides of the baseplate between your hands (in an L shape with your thumbs) and keeping your elbows at your sides. Stand facing your goal object, look straight ahead, and align yourself with the object you are using to get your direction. An imaginary line extending from your body will pass through your compass in the direction of the travel needle. You can even place your thumb (the tip of the compass rests on it) in front of your stomach to strengthen your grip. Just make sure you don't wear a large metal belt fastener or other magnetic material near the compass when doing this.
- It's often easier to use landscape features near you to pinpoint your exact position. That triangulation is more useful if you're really lost or in an empty, featureless area.
- Trust your compass: 99.9% chance it points in the right direction. Many landscapes look alike, so again, TRUST YOUR COMPASS.
- For maximum accuracy, hold the compass at eye level and look at the direction of the travel arrows for landscape markings, guide points, etc.
- The compass tip is usually marked with a red or black line. The north end is usually marked N (U), but if not, try to find out which is north by orienting your compass to north or south relative to the sun.
