Using a Compass

Main Compass Uses

The main functions of using a compass are:

tell which direction you are traveling - your heading
tell which direction an object is from you - its bearing
keep you following a straight line of travel
orient a map - aligning a map with the actual land
triangulation - determining your location with a map
plan routes - determine directions and distances to travel on a map

We've already discussed an important skill in how to use a compass and that is determining your heading. Point the direction-of-travel arrow straight ahead in the direction you are going, turn the compass dial until RED is in the Shed, and read the heading at the Index Pointer.

Determining the bearing to an object is just like finding your heading. Turn to face the object and do the steps for determining your heading. Here's a simple exercise to try...

On a hike in Wyoming, you see a strange rock formation off in the distance. Using your compass, you take a bearing to it as shown below:

If you turn and face two smaller rock formations farther off in the distance, which of the following bearings would be correct?

In this case, since you are facing northerly, a turn to the right will be more to the East so #1 is correct.
It is important to keep a feel for general directions in your mind. If it's early morning and the sun is in your face, you are heading east with north on your left and south on your right. Remember, right and left are relative to your current heading. If you're in the northern hemisphere and the sun is at your back, you are heading in some northerly direction. In the southern hemisphere, the sun at your back means you are facing southerly.

Learning how to use a compass to follow a line of travel is simply pausing to take a reading occasionally while hiking. In the picture below, you're trying to find your way to the lake in the distance to refill your water supply.

In this opening in the forest, you pause to take a bearing to the lake and see that it is about 220 degrees.
Ahead of you, there is no trail and you drop into thick forest. You won't be able to see the lake or easy landmarks for quite awhile.
As you walk, you need to occasionally check your heading on the compass to ensure you are still heading 220 degrees.

You now understand how to use a compass to read your current heading and to take a bearing to a distance landmark. Using a compass in this way will guide you over terrain that you are acquainted with or if you know the general directions you need to travel before hand. But, for new territory, you will also need to know how to read maps and use a compass to guide your way.

Next: Reading Maps

A hiker was hiking along one day when he came to a wide river.
Seeing another hiker on the other bank, he called out, "Hey, how do I get to the other side?"
The second hiker looked slowly along the bank to the left, then along the bank to the right, thought a bit, then called back, "You ARE on the other side!"

Search Google News for more 'Lost Hiker' news items.

19 Nov 2024 - Woman accidentally discovers 280 million

18 Nov 2024 - Hiker rescued on Mt. Tallac after getting lost

18 Nov 2024 -

20 Nov 2024 - Watch

08 Nov 2024 - Family mourns missing hiker found dead in Mt. Hood National Forest

20 Nov 2024 - Lost world with a 280

Comments:
Oct 14, 2015 - jean de amicis

As all the other lnformation,
Excellent!

Feb 03, 2018 - Maurice .V

Thank you for this important information that everybody should know, especially kids. I just bought a simple, steel compass, and I love it. I decided to play around with it and came on your site to touch up my compass skills since I hadn't used one since I was a teenager. Thank you for your knowledge on such an important survival device.

Feb 10, 2019 - David Semino

Using a Military Prismatic Sighting compass, How do I put the red in the shed? It does not have any red marks.

Feb 23, 2019 - Compass Dude

@David - As mentioned above, one end of the floating compass needle is usually red. If it's a different color, then use that instead of "red" in the shed. The "shed" is the two parallel lines making the Orienting Arrow on the floor of the compass housing - they can be red, or a different color.

Mar 31, 2020 - David

@David - Because the prismatic compass has the degree scale rotate with the magnetic north seeking arrow. Instead of the degree scale being independent from movement of the magnetic compass needle.

You have to think of it working almost the opposite way from a base plate compass. Instead of putting "red in the shed". Think, you are "putting the shed on top of red". ["put red in the shed " just means aligning the compass needle over the orienting arrow] It's ok if we don't have a red.

Turn until the direction of travel arrow points at your destination. Turn the bezel ring until the 'short luminous line' is above the N arrow.

Think of the 'short luminous line' as being the 'shed'. The N is "red". You're doing the same thing, just kind of the opposite way.

Example: 58˚ azimuth is measured on the map, including adjustment for mag. declination. Turn until 58˚ is below the "fixed index line". Then move the "short luminous line" to above the N by turning the bezel ring. You're all set.

Ask a Question

More Map and Compass Resources at CompassDude.com