{"id":25532,"date":"2023-04-15T07:18:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T05:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=142640"},"modified":"2023-04-15T07:36:55","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T05:36:55","slug":"how-to-use-a-compass","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/how-to-use-a-compass\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use a compass"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn the basics of navigation with our beginner’s guide to how to use a compass <\/p>

By Fi Darby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 15 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Knowing the basics of how to use a compass is a valuable skill when out walking in the countryside, even if you usually use a mobile device to navigate.<\/p>\n

Once you know that north is at the top of your map, you can work out the other directions. When you\u2019ve done this, you can use your compass to help you face the way you want to go.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re in the middle of nowhere or at a path junction, your compass can help you travel in the right direction.<\/p>\n

In this step by step guide, we reveal the basics of compass reading.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more outdoor skills? Check out our guides to how to sharpen a knife<\/a>, how to darn a sock<\/a> and how to fix a zipper<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to use a compass<\/h2>\n

1. Get to know your compass<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Learn the different parts of the compass\/Credit: Tim Bates<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re not used to using a compass, the symbols, numbers and letters may seem a little confusing. It\u2019s a good idea to get to know what each part of the compass means. In this diagram, we\u2019ve pick out a few of the key parts, including the index line, bezel, magnetic needle, orienting lines or arrow, and the direction of travel arrow.<\/p>\n

2. Turn the bezel<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bezel is the rotating part of the compass\/Credit: Tim Bates<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Turn the bezel of your compass \u2028so the direction you want to \u2028travel lines up with the index line. You can choose any direction but it\u2019s easiest to start with the \u2028main cardinal points. \u2028For this demonstration we\u2019ve chosen \u2028E for east (as seen in the yellow ring).<\/p>\n

3. Orientate the magnetic needle<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The magnetic needle is the part of the compass that floats\/Credit: Tim Bates<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Holding the compass perpendicular to your body and flat in front of you, turn your body until the red end of the floating magnetic needle is inside the orienting lines \u2028(or arrow). You\u2019re now facing east.<\/p>\n

4. Walk the way you want to go<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Pick a feature ahead of you in the direction your compass is telling you to go, walk to it, then line your compass up again and pick the next point to walk to\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Once you\u2019re facing the right direction, you can start walking.<\/p>\n

If you keep the magnetic arrow inside the orienting lines as you go, you\u2019ll be walking a straight line. But looking at the compass all the time isn\u2019t practical. Instead, pick an obvious point ahead of you in the direction your compass is telling you to go. Walk to that point then line your compass up again and pick the next point to walk to.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn the basics of navigation with our beginner’s guide to how to use a compass <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Learn the basics of navigation with our beginner's guide to how to use a compass","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/25532"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}