how to lay out a compass course

Place the unlabeled stake in the center of the area which will be used for laying out the course. Attach the measuring tape or string (about 50 feet long) to the center stake. Working from the center stake each time, set the compass bearing as indicated in the illustration and walk the required distance. Place the labeled stake in the correct position as illustrated. The radius of the course may be changed to suit either the available space or the number of players participating.

Full Answer

How do you set up a compass course?

1:115:11How to Setup a Compass Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction ofMoreAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction of travel arrow on the compass. Base we'll set that to the direction.

How is compass course calculated?

The error is the compass deviation, which vary from a few degrees east to a few degrees west of Magnetic North as the boat turns around. i.e. Compass Course = Magnetic Course minus the Deviation East of the compass.

How do I set up a simple orienteering course?

Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps). Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point.

How do I create a navigation course?

1:1713:53Compass Basics PT5: Setting Up A Basic Navigation Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat I'll tack to the tree I've got some Brad's a hammer to drive those in I've got my notebook andMoreThat I'll tack to the tree I've got some Brad's a hammer to drive those in I've got my notebook and pen which I'll keep track of the bearings that I set up and then of course I've got my compass.

How do you calculate compass error in navigation?

0:083:21Navigation - Compass Error - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the deviation chart our vessel is two degrees to the east. We know we would be subtracting two weMoreIf the deviation chart our vessel is two degrees to the east. We know we would be subtracting two we would get 124 degrees for our per ship's compass or a magnetic compass courses.

How do you calculate compass error on board?

6:418:05How To Calculate Compass Error by Azimuth of the Sun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe work out the ship's true heading. So we take the ship's gyro heading and how to subtract the gyroMoreWe work out the ship's true heading. So we take the ship's gyro heading and how to subtract the gyro error. In this case negative 0.1 which gives us a true heading out of 131 decimal nine degrees.

What are the four basic orienteering skills?

SkillsNOTE: The content here is for those who are ready to build their skills and are seeking guidance. You do not need to know any of this in order to show up at and enjoy an orienteering event! ... Basic Skills. Orienting the Map. ... Basic Skills. ... Thumbing the Map. ... Line Features. ... Catching Features. ... Reading the Map. ... Contours.More items...

What are the important things to remember while orienteering?

Safety tips on the trackKeep in mind that the most direct route is often the hardest. ... Wear a long-sleeved top and long trousers to reduce the risk of cuts and grazes, if you should fall.Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen to all exposed skin areas. ... Wear a watch to keep track of time.Keep your map inside a waterproof bag.More items...

How do you use a compass on an orienteering course?

Hold your map horizontally. Place the compass flat on the map. Rotate the map until the "north lines" on the map (a series of evenly spaced parallel lines drawn across the map, all pointing to magnetic north) are aligned with the compass needle. The map should now be oriented to the terrain.

How do I learn basic navigation?

Top 5 Basic Navigation SkillsPlan your Hike. Regardless of the length or the complexity of the hike you need a plan. ... Hike within your limits. Ensure you have the appropriate navigation skills needed for the trip you are planning. ... Pay attention. ... Learn how to use a map and compass. ... Practice, practice, practice.

How long is an army land navigation course?

5 dayLand Navigation Training: Advanced The Advanced Land Navigation Course is designed for the serious outdoorsman. This is a 5 day course, consisting of: 2 days of in depth classroom work and 3 days of overland movement.

Is Maritime Navigation hard?

Essentially, nautical navigation is no more than knowing how to get from Point A to Point B. But the process can be a whole lot more challenging than simply pointing the bow in the right direction. Everyone, of course, is more or less familiar with some form of navigation.

What is the compass course?

Definition of compass course : the course with respect to true north in which a ship or an aircraft is intended to travel.

What is compass course and bearing correction?

Compass Correction The answer is to correct readings from the steering or hand-bearing compass to True, or to “uncorrect” True courses to their equivalent Compass reading for use with the steering compass. For both variation and deviation, the compass error is given as a number of degrees east or west.

What is standard magnetic compass?

1.2 The standard compass is a magnetic compass used for navigation, mounted in a suitable binnacle containing the required correcting devices and equipped with a suitable azimuth reading device.

What is magnetic course in navigation?

Definition of magnetic course : the course on which an airplane is intended to be flown that is measured from magnetic north and that is the true course as laid out on the chart.

How to plan a trail?

To plan your route, Get oriented with where you are on the map - your current position. Figure out where on the map you want to go - your destination. Examine the space between the two points.

Why do you leave a copy of your trek plan?

You'll leave a copy of your trek plan with other people to help with rescue efforts if things go wrong.

What do you need to do a compass exercise?

This exercise requires a compass, piece of paper, and pen or pencil for each participant, in addition to an area large enough to accommodate your courses.

How to improve compass navigation?

One of the simplest exercises for improving the speed and accuracy of your compass navigation is the Three-leg Compass Walk. This exercise is appropriate for virtually any age group and requires only a compass, a small place marker like a pencil or twig, and enough space to move about 50 paces ...

How to get a spotter to see the second landmark?

Begin by standing next to one of the landmarks, facing toward the other. Take a bearing to determine the direction from the first landmark to the second, and have your spotter make a note of it. Put on the blindfold and and attempt to travel in the direction of the second landmark.

What is the best way to mark a closed course?

The pen or pencil can be used to mark the course's starting point. One of the greatest advantages of Closed Course is that the directions created can be as simple or as difficult as you like, depending on the skill level of the participants. For beginners, short courses that use only cardinal directions are helpful.

Why is it important to plot a course on graph paper?

The most important thing is to ensure that the directions will lead the navigator back to where they began. Plotting your course on graph paper before attempting to follow it in the field is a great way to save yourself potential headaches and make sure that your course is closed.

Where to read degree marking on compass?

5. Read the degree marking indicated at the top of the compass, right under the index line. That's the bearing you need to follow to get to your destination (if you're not sure how to follow a bearing, review scenario A).

How many elements are in a compass?

A compass may appear very complex at first sight - different colors, numbers, lines going in every direction... However, there are only seven elements we'll be referring to in this tutorial - the orienting arrow, the index line, the "shed", the magnetic needles, the rotating bezel or housing, bearings and orienting lines.

How to find the red compass?

2. Start by pointing your compass at a known landmark that can be easily identified on your map, like a summit. 3. Keeping the compass flush with the ground and pointed towards the landmark, turn the rotating bezel of the compass until the North magnetic needle lines up with 0° on the compass (or "red is in the shed").

Why are buttons used as compass?

Button compasses are probably the most common compass you will see because they are attached to everything. They are small and extremely cheap. You'll see them attached to keychains, weaved into paracord bracelets, and tacked on to mass-produced survival tools. Buttons compasses are not accurate, break easily and are easy to lose. They should be used only as a toy or a novelty item and not as a land navigation tool.

What is the difference between a cardinal point and a degree?

Degrees: While cardinal points are great for providing general directions, degrees are more specific and accurate. Instead of saying "walk southwest", for example, you could tell someone to head at a bearing of 210 degrees. Degrees range from 0 to 360 degrees and are marked clockwise on a compass, usually in increments of 2 or less degrees.

How to follow a bearing?

Following a Bearing -- Don't walk and following your compass; you will drift as you avoid obstacles. Once you establish your bearing, sight a landmark along the bearing and walk to the landmark.

What are the four cardinal directions?

Cardinal directions: There are four major cardinal points - North, South, East, West. Each of those can be used in combination with one another to indicate directions that are in-between, such as "North-West" or "East-South-East" (called "intercardinal directions").

How to make a 45 degree angle with a compass?

Connect the dots. Set the compass between the center and the end of the line, then swing an arc to cross the vertical line. Connect those points to make a 45° angle.

Why is a compass important?

Many geometric constructions are based on two points being an equal distance from something else. The important part is that of equality , not the actual measurement.

How to draw an equilateral triangle?

If you need to make an equilateral triangle, set the distance between the compass points to the length of one side. Draw a line that length, and from each end swing arcs that intersect above the line. Connect the points to make the triangle.

How to make a perfect square with a compass?

Without changing the compass setting, swing arcs from the ends of the 45° line so they intersect. Take the straightedge and connect that intersection with the ends of the angled line. One line is parallel to the first line and the other is parallel to the perpendicular line . The result is a perfect square.

How to draw a hexagon?

To create a hexagon, first draw a circle, and without changing the compass setting, set the point of the compass anywhere on the perimeter. Step off around the perimeter and connect the intersections with lines to make a hexagon. If you draw back from the perimeter points of the hexagon to the center of the circle, you will create six equilateral triangles along with a visual explanation of how (and why) this method works.

How to make an octagon with a compass?

You can easily clip the corners of a square and turn it into a perfect octagon. Find the center by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner. Where those lines cross is the exact center of the square. Stick the point of the compass in one corner and set the lead to the center point. Swing two arcs from each corner to intersect with each horizontal and vertical line. Connect those points and you have an octagon.

How to do geometry in high school?

Despite what you may have thought in high school, geometry is useful, relevant, and empowering. Let’s start with a straight line of any length. Stick the point of the compass on one end of the line, and set the other end to anywhere beyond the halfway point. It doesn’t matter how far. Don’t worry about it; just set the distance by eye and swing an arc above and below the original line. Without changing the settings, stick the point of the compass on the other end of the line and swing arcs above and below from there.

How many degrees is the compass housing?

Notice how the red lines inside the compass housing are parallel to the black grid lines on the topo map. The bearing in the compass housing is 285 degrees but I haven’t adjusted for declination yet.

How to put a compass in your gut?

So far, I’ve just talked about the compass layout. Here’s how you put it all together. First, stand up and “plug” the compass into your midsection. The bottom plate of the compass should rest squarely in your gut and will not be turned at any point. The compass dial, however, will be turned: you will dial in a bearing, let’s say, of 84 degrees.

What is the tick mark on a Silva baseplate compass?

A $12 Silva or Suunto baseplate compass is a good model to begin with. Each tick-mark is 2 degrees.

What states are used to adjust for declination?

MN and TN are the two you will use to adjust for declination. Without adjusting for magnetic declination, a map and compass is useless and will result in you getting way off course, if not lost. Keep in mind that declination is different for each state (and even within states) and changes slightly each year. The number listed on your map is not going to be accurate if it was from the 1960s. I call the USGS office each year or look online and get the current magnetic declination for my home state.

What does the space between contour lines to the right of the spring mean?

By contrast, the space between the contour lines to the right of the spring indicates flat terrain.

What does contour line mean?

Contour lines:these lines indicate how steep or flat the terrain is. Lines that are tightly packed will indicate a steep mountainside, cliff, or deep canyon; conversely, contour lines that are widely spaced will be indicative of a relatively flat region such as a meadow or field.

How many miles per hour to hike?

Extremely fit hikers can average three miles per hour. However, if you are trekking in the mountains, over sand dunes, a dense forest, or through canyon country, then you will have to factor in more time. Add in a cumbersome pack and dwindling energy levels at the end of the day, then your mileage will decrease accordingly. Start with the assumption that, given ideal conditions, you will make around two miles an hour and then adjust for the above factors as your hike unfolds. There are no shortcuts in the wilderness and often the longest route around a canyon or swamp is going to be