How To Use A Compass-A Guide For Newbies
The most commonly used type of compass for outdoor recreation is called a protractor, orienteering , or baseplate compass. These compasses usually have a clear plastic baseplate, a magnetic needle, and a dial that can be twisted to set the compass. Other types of compasses include lensatic and pocket compasses. These work a little differently, and will not be covered in this article, which focuses only on the baseplate type of compass.
First, learn how to hold the compass properly. Keep the compass flat and level, so that you are looking down at it (or across the top of the needle and into the mirror with a mirrored compass). Point the compass so that the direction of travel indicator at the top of the compass dial is facing away from you. If you dangle the compass from your neck by the lanyard, it will be facing the correct direction when you lift the compass and hold it flat in the palm of your hand.
Second, observe the magnetic needle. The basic thing to remember about the needle is that red end of the needle ALWAYS POINTS NORTH. Once this fact is second nature to you, you’ll need to understand that slightly weird notion that there is more than one NORTH. The magnetic needle points toward Magnetic North. Maps are lined up with geographic (also called true) north. If you are using your compass with a map, you will have to learn how to make a correction for this phenomenon (called magnetic declination) before reading your compass. The correction is not difficult to make, but we will ignore it until you begin to use map and compass together.
Next, sight an object or direction you would like to travel: face in the direction you would like to determine or travel, whether it is toward a landscape feature like a hill or just a path you plan to hike. Now, carefully line up the direction of travel indicator with the object or direction you wish to travel. You can do this by looking at the object then glancing down at the properly held compass while slightly adjusting the way your body is facing until everything lines up. Always keep your body and the compass lined up and moving as a single unit.
Set the compass: While holding the compass in the position that you just sighted, twist the dial until the hollow orientation arrow, in the bottom of the clear plastic housing, lines up beneath the needle. When the needle is “boxed” in this manner, the compass is set.
Finally, read the Compass: The number on the compass dial that lines up with the direction of travel indicator at the top (front) of the compass dial is your direction, also called your bearing. It can be expressed in a number of ways including the quadrant or azimuth method depending on the type of compass you have. The azimuth method is easiest. It is a single number between 0-360 degrees, where 90 is East, 180 is south, 270 is west, and 360 (and 0) is north.
Practice these steps, holding the compass properly, sighting an object, setting the compass, and reading the bearing, and learn and practice using your map with a compass, adjusting for magnetic declination before getting into any serious backcountry navigation situations.
Want to know more about compasses? Stop by Compass-HowTo.com to learn all you need to know about this and many other compass how-to topics. You’ll see compass reviews and recommendations, and resources for learning how to use a compass.
