Compass Navigation Steps

Navigational Compass: Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Bearings

Step 1: Compass Placement

• Place the compass on the map.
• Align the base plate with the direction of travel between your current location and your destination.

Step 2: Aligning the Compass Housing

• While holding the compass in place on the map:
  • Rotate the compass housing until the orienting lines of the compass are parallel to the North/South (N/S) running lines of the map.
• After adjustment, pick up the compass to prepare for the next steps.

Step 3: Reading Your Bearing

• Read the bearing indicated on the compass.
• Adjust the compass housing for magnetic declination:
  • Definition of Declination: Declination refers to the angle difference between magnetic north (the direction the compass points) and true north (the geographical North Pole).
  • Adjustment for Positive Declination: For a declination of +12 degrees (12 easterly), subtract 12 from the bearing.
  • Adjustment for Negative Declination: For a declination of -10 degrees (10 westerly), add 10 to the bearing.
  • After adjustment, re-set the compass housing to reflect the modified bearing.

Step 4: Maintaining Alignment and Direction

• Hold the compass horizontally in front of your body at about waist height.
• Steadily keep your hand in place and rotate your entire body until the magnetic arrow aligns with the orienting arrow on the compass.
  • This process is often referred to as "putting red in the shed," where red refers to the color of the magnetic needle.
• At this moment, the direction-of-travel arrow will indicate the correct direction to proceed toward your destination.
  • As long as one keeps "red in the shed," the directional arrow will consistently point you in the right direction.

Compass Components Explained

• Direction-of-Travel Arrow: Indicates the path in which the user is traveling.
• Magnetic Needle: The needle that points toward magnetic north.
• Compass Housing: The part of the compass that rotates and contains the markings for bearings.
• Base Plate: The flat part of the compass that is rested on the map.
• Orienting Lines: Lines within the compass housing that align with map's N/S running lines to help find true direction.

Additional Notes on Declination

• Users can find declination values for specific locations on the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) website at: [NOAA Declination Calculator](http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomagmodels/struts/calcDeclination;jsessionid=4F95DB03B5AEC A302C9781A19AEA0AFI).