online course how to use a compass

How to set up a compass course?

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

How to navigate with a map and compass?

• Pinching your fingers inwards will zoom out on the map.
• Pushing your fingers outwards, away from each other, will zoom in on the map.
• If you twist your fingers, meaning that you spin them clockwise or counterclockwise, you will rotate your map on Google Maps.

How to check direction of house with compass?

While using a compass, you need to remember some important tips which are as follows:

• You need to make sure that you are away from structures that could affect the magnetic needle (and hence the reading) of the compass.
• Do not carry mobile phone, laptop or any iron object
• There should not be any high-voltage power lines where you stand while using the compass.
• Ensure that there are no magnetic objects near the compass.

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What is the best free Compass app?

• Download the best free compass GPS applications for Android phones. ...
• GPS Compass Explorer. ...
• Compass (without advertising) This compass app is one of the best and popular compass apps for android users. ...
• Smart Compass. ...
• Compass 360 Pro. ...
• Compass. ...
• Marine Compass. ...
• Compass Level & GPS. ...
• Digital Compass. ...
• 3D Compass. ...

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How do you set a course with a compass?

0:022:49How to plot a course with map and compass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first I want to make sure my map is oriented to true north to north here is at three four fiveMoreSo first I want to make sure my map is oriented to true north to north here is at three four five degrees. So I just make sure that when I run my compass along here I'm still at three four five.

How do you use a compass for beginners?

2:225:21How to use a compass:For beginners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo all you do is slowly turn your compass. Until we have that red needle sitting in that red arrowMoreSo all you do is slowly turn your compass. Until we have that red needle sitting in that red arrow just like that and that's going to tell you what direction you need to go.

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.

What are the four steps to using a compass?

Beginners guide to using a compassStep 1: Line up your points. To start with you need to know where you are on the map (point A) and where you want to go to (point B). ... Step 2: Align to grid north. ... Step 3: Adjust for magnetic variation. ... Step 4: Line yourself up.

How do you read coordinates on a compass?

When outlining the coordinates of a location, the line of latitude is always given first followed by the line of longitude. Therefore, the coordinates of this location will be: 10°N latitude, 70°W longitude. The line of latitude is read as 41 degrees (41°), 24 minutes (24′), 12.2 seconds (12.2”) north.

How do you know which way is north east on a compass?

Once the 0°/360° mark on the compass housing and the North end of the needle are aligned, determine what line is directly in front of you. In other words, the compass line which is exactly in front of you shows the actual degree or the facing of your house. Let's say that the compass reading is 45° (North-East).

How do you read a compass degree and minutes?

Degrees, minutes and seconds are denoted by the symbols °, ', ". e.g. 10° 33' 19" means an angle of 10 degrees, 33 minutes and 19 seconds . A degree is divided into 60 minutes (of arc), and each minute is divided into 60 seconds (of arc).

Does a compass always point north?

While a compass is a great tool for navigation, it doesn't always point exactly north. This is because the Earth's magnetic North Pole is not the same as "true north," or the Earth's geographic North Pole . The magnetic North Pole lies about 1,000 miles south of true north, in Canada.

Which way is north?

Most maps show North at the top and South at the bottom. To the left is West and to the right is East.

Why do we need a compass?

And of course, a compass is a fundamental device for helping you find your way — so fundamental in fact, that many people underestimate the knowledge that is required to use one.

What is an orienteering class?

An orienteering class will arm you with the knowledge and the confidence to tackle the backcountry. Here are a few options for classes you can take before your next backcountry excursion.

Does Brunton offer orienteering?

Once you’re an expert on orienteering, share the knowledge! Brunton offers an instructor kit that enables you to impart orienteering skills on your students. Maybe you lead a Boy or Girl Scout troop, or teach a geology class. Just about anyone who spends time outdoors can benefit from orienteering skills.

Can you use a compass without experience?

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of a compass. It won’t do you any good without knowledge and experience. And that experience is best gained in real life with instructors who are skilled in explaining the necessary knowledge. So instead of telling you how to use a compass, we’re going to leave it to the professionals.

Does Brunton have an orienteering kit?

Just about anyone who spends time outdoors can benefit from orienteering skills. Brunton’s instructor kit comes with both an instructor manual and a student workbook — use them to help the next generation of backpackers be safe and knowledgeable about finding their way.

How to find where you are on a map?

You can also use a bearing to find where you are on a map. You might want to know exactly where you are along a trail. Start by finding a landmark that you can also identify on your map. Hold your compass flat with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you and directly at the landmark.

How to set declination on a map?

Once you’ve set your declination, map orientation is simple: Place your compass on the map with the direction of travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map. Rotate the bezel so that N (north) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow.

What is the difference between magnetic north and true north?

In most locations in the real world, though, magnetic north (where your needle points) and true north differ by a few degrees: That difference is known as “declination.”. In the continental U.S., declinations vary from 20 degrees east in parts of Washington state to 20 degrees west in parts of Maine.

How to use a bearing?

You can use a bearing to get to a location any time you know where you are on a map: 1 Set your compass on the map so that the straight side of the baseplate lines up between your current position (1a) and the map location for a destination like a campsite (1b). 2 Make sure the direction of travel arrow is pointing in the general direction of that campsite (in other words, it's not upside down). 3 Now rotate the bezel until the orienting lines on the compass are aligned with the north-south grid lines and/or the left and right edges of your map. (Be sure the north marker on the bezel is pointing north on the map, not south.) 4 Look at the index line to read the bearing you’ve just captured.

How are compasses controlled?

Compasses are controlled by the geomagnetic field--the needle on a compass is always attracted to Earth's North Pole. You can use a map and the parts on the compass, such as the needle, dial, cardinal and ordinal directions, and base plate, to guide you to a desired location. Or, you can put the 'red in the shed' to find north.

How long have compasses been around?

Compasses have been used to find directions for over 2,000 years, with more complex compasses being used as early as the 1100s in Asia and Europe. A compass is a device that uses a floating, magnetized needle that can help you determine your direction. Lesson.

What is the dial on a compass?

Circling the outer edge of the compass is a dial that displays the 360 degrees of a circle. This dial is also movable, so you can use it to determine how many degrees you need to turn your body to point in a desired direction.

What are the four cardinal directions on a compass?

On the base of the compass, which can be rotated, are the four cardinal directions: north, south, east and west. Many also display the ordinal directions, which are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. The base plate also displays an orienting arrow (usually in red or signified by a big arrow) that points north, as well as orienting lines that can be rotated and used to show you which direction you need to move in.

What direction do you see the base plate?

Many also display the ordinal directions, which are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. The base plate also displays an orienting arrow (usually in red or signified by a big arrow) that points north, as well as orienting lines that can be rotated and used to show you which direction you need to move in.

Where is the magnetic needle on a compass?

But the key component is the magnetic needle in the center of the compass. It's the only component that is in a fixed position. It's controlled by the geomagnetic field, a magnetic field that starts in the planet's core and extends outward into space.

Do all compasses look the same?

All compasses look exactly the same. G. You may change the angle of your body to point in the desired direction. H. A geomagnetic field in the outer core of the Earth is the model for the compass' mechanism. I. Place the compass in any orientation you want on the map while navigating.

What You'll Learn

At the end of this course you will be confident in your map and compass skills! We will cover:

What to Expect

Each lesson comes with full video based instruction broken down into easily digestible sections. This approach makes even the most complex concepts understandable, and more importantly, actionable. The beauty of learning online is that you can pause, rewind, re-watch anything you need to at any time.

What You'll Need

There are no prerequisites for this class! All you need is a desire to learn and a computer (tablet or mobile phone) with internet access. We will use maps from free online sources that I will lead you to! If you have an "All Trails Pro" account we will help you use it but it is not necessary for this course.

Your Instructor

Hi There! My name is Morgan and I am the founder of Love and Trails. I started Love and Trails to share my passion for both wilderness first aid, navigation, safety and the great outdoors. I want YOU to be prepared for any adventure, big or small, and have the knowledge and skills to safely manage any incident you encounter in the backcountry.

How the Course Works

We’ve designed this course to be taken at your own pace. You’ll be able to take (and retake) each section for as long as you want. Once you purchase the course, the lessons are yours forever.

Meet Sienna Fry

Sienna Fry was raised on the northern California coast and grew up hiking and backpacking in the redwood forest. She earned a B.A. in Physical and Environmental Geography with a certificate in GIS/Cartography (aka: maps) from California State University, Chico.

How many steps to take in a direction?

Take 5 steps East. ...while an advanced direction sheet might look something like this: 1. Take a bearing of 180 degrees, then take 20 steps in that direction. 2. Take a bearing of 45 degrees, then take 28 steps in that direction. 3.

Is a compass good for kids?

Understanding how to use a compass is an invaluable skill for any outdoors enthusiast, but compass skills aren't just good for adventurous adults. Teaching compass skills to kids is a great way to cultivate their abstract reasoning and ability to visualize when problem solving.