HOW TO USE A COMPASS PAD 3 O

HOW TO USE A COMPASS PAD 3 O

How to use a Compass A Compass Rose indicates the 4 cardinal points, North, South, East and West. It also includes all half way points. Degrees are assigned to the cardinal points for a total of 360 degrees.

There are 3 types of North 1. True North – The North Pole

2. Grid North – Where the grid on your map is pointing. Since grid lines on the map are all parallel, they never meet in one point. Therefore each grid line is pointing to a slightly different North

3. Magnetic North - Where the magnetic needle points. This is not at the North Pole - it is in fact in Canada somewhere north of Hudson Bay. To complicate matters this point moves position (This movement is predictable however and easy to calculate).

We need to convert this to a magnetic bearing – where the compass actually points. This is our MAGNETIC VARIATION

Due to every grid line pointing to a slightly different north, this variation is different on every map. Therefore instead of having a number in our head as a magnetic variation, you need to know how to work out the variation on the map that you are using Somewhere in the legend of the map it will tell you how to work this out

Parts of a Compass On most compasses, there is a red and black arrow. It is called the magnetic needle On some compasses it might be red and white, the red part is always pointing North.

The tunable thing on your compass is called the compass housing. On the edge of the compass there is a scale. They usually go from 0 - 360 degrees or bearings.

How to find a Bearing on a Map 1. Place the compass on the map so either of the base plate edges is touching both your starting point and your finishing point. 2. Make sure the direction arrow is pointing in the direction you are traveling.

3. Hold the base plate in the position on the map and turn the compass housing so that the orienting arrow of the housing is pointing to North on the map. The lines in the housing should be parallel with the grid lines on the map.

4. Take the compass off of the map 5. Read the bearing on the rim of the housing – this is your Grid Bearing. Add your variation to this number (and turn the housing to the new number) – This is your Magnetic Bearing

6. Hold the compass in front of you with the direction of travel arrow pointing directly away from you. Turn your whole body until the north end of the needle is in line with the ‘Orienting Arrow of the Housing’ The ‘Direction of Travel Arrow’ is now pointing towards your objective

7. Walk to this land mark without looking at the compass again. 8. Choose new land marks or send another person ahead to serve as a landmark if nothing suitable can be found or until your destination is reached.

Worksheets