Must Have Gear: Compass

Why do you need a compass? In today's world your phone, watch, and vehicle can all tell you what direction to go. Simply put, what happens if you don't have them or the power is gone? You need to know how to find your way by using a map and compass.

Must have skills include:

· Reading a map

· Using your compass of choice

· Knowing which way is north, even without a compass

· Knowing what to do when you are lost

o Know when to hike out

o Know when to stay put

Using Your Compass of Choice

First, choose a compass. The most common are:

· Magnetized needle

· Magnetic button compass

· Magnetic orienteering compass

Second, find north. North is the magnetized end of the needle, the green “N” on the button, or the direction the red needle is pointing on the orienteering compass pictured above.

Third, know which direction is out. Before you begin any trip, get a map of where you are going. Know which direction the nearest main road runs. Next, determine which direction will lead you right to it.

Lastly, walk towards the way out. If the road out runs north to south, and you are east of it, start walking west until you hit it. Once on the road you can wait till help arrives if needed.

If, for some reason you don’t have a compass, here are a few ways of determining which way is north without one.

3 WAYS TO FIND NORTH WITHOUT A COMPASS by Instructables

http://www.instructables.com/id/3-Ways-to-Find-North-Without-a-Compass/

Step 1: Using an Analog Watch:

- First off, you need an analog watch set to the correct time; if it has been adjusted for Daylight Savings set it back an hour

- In the Northern Hemisphere:

· Point the hour hand (the little one) at the sun

· Imagine there is a line down the middle of the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o clock mark

· The line down the middle of the angle is pointing South; so the opposite direction is North

- In the Southern Hemisphere:

· Point the 12 o clock mark at the sun

· Imagine there is a line down the middle of the angle between the 12 o clock mark and the hour hand

· The line down the middle of the angle is pointing North

Step 2: Using the Shadow Tip Method:

- Take a stick and place it upright so you can see its shadow; the taller the stick the better - Make sure the shadow is on clear, level ground - Mark the ground at the edge of the shadow with something small like a pebble - Wait 10 or 15 minutes then mark the edge of the shadow again - Make a straight line between the two marks; this is a rough East-West line - The first mark is the West mark and the second mark is the East mark

Step 3: Using Two Sticks at Night:

- Lie down and drive one stick into the ground at eye level - Drive a second, taller stick into the ground behind it so that the tips of the sticks line up with a bright star - Watch the star for a few minutes; if it seems to move...

· Up you are facing East

· Down you are facing West

· Right you are facing South

· Left you are facing North

#usingacompass #findingnorth