Compass Navigation Steps

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and steps in using a compass for navigation.

Declination

The angle between magnetic north and true north, which can affect compass readings.

Orienting Arrow

The arrow on a compass that indicates the north direction.

Direction-of-Travel Arrow

The arrow on a compass that shows the direction you intend to move.

Step 1 in Compass Use

Place your compass on your map, aligning the base plate in the direction of travel.

Step 2 in Compass Use

Rotate the compass housing until the orienting lines match the N/S running lines of the map.

Step 3 in Compass Use

Read your bearing and adjust the compass housing for declination.

'Put Red in the Shed'

A phrase to remember that the magnetic needle (red) should align with the orienting arrow (shed) during navigation.

Base Plate

The flat, transparent part of the compass that sits on the map.

Compass Housing

The circular part of the compass that contains the magnetic needle and the orienting lines.

Magnetic Needle

The needle in a compass that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, indicating magnetic north.