The Basics of Navigation Using a Compass

The compass is a tool that dates back, some allege, to around AD 80. It was first mentioned in written material in AD 1050 by a Chinese mathematician, Shen Kua, who wrote about a navigational instrument with a magnetized iron needle. Today’s compass functions quite similarly to those used in centuries past – it consists of a magnetized pointer (often with a red mark on the North end) that sits on a pivot point, able to align itself with Earth’s magnetic field.
To be able to use a compass, one must know and understand the four cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West. A nice mnemonic device to help remember the four cardinal directions using the cardinal directions that school children often learn is Never Eat Sour Watermelon. While we commonly use egocentric directions – directions relative to ourselves, such as left or right – some cultures, including certain Aboriginal tribes, refer exclusively to cardinal directions, even on a small scale. Imagine telling someone that the kitchen is on the southwest side of the hallway!
North and south are generally easy for people to remember, but East and West tend to be a little bit trickier. If cardinal directions are a new concept, it can be helpful to practice with an indoor scenario. One strategy is to take a compass into a room and face north. Have a friend call out different directions – South, East, Northwest, etc – and turn to face those directions as they call them.
Committing these directions to memory and having a good sense of the relationship between directions – for instance, if I’m facing East, which direction is North? – will help tremendously when navigating in the backcountry. With practice, they will become second nature and experienced outdoorsmen and women will have a constant understanding of their general bearing based on the location of the sun and other useful landmarks.
Some people possess an innate sense of direction, but others must practice and learn in order to gain navigational skill. With dedication and persistence it can be mastered, and will allow one to feel more aware of their surroundings and secure in one’s placement in an environment.
When using a compass, it’s important to hold the compass flat in the palm of your hand, allowing the needle to move freely. When it settles, with the red North end pointing North, rotate the circular dial until the North end of the needle is inside the outline of an arrow drawn on the back of the dial. This can be remembered with the phrase – “Always put red Fred in the shed.” Once the dial is calibrated to the magnetic field, you can determine which direction you are facing, or which direction you need to go. Given that compasses operate on the 360 degree scale, it’s possible to be very precise in your bearing. Happy navigating!

Craig Caudill believes that not only should a compass be a part of your gear bag, you need to know how to use that and all of your other outdoor supplies. Craig shares his knowledge of the outdoors at Dan’s Depot and is also a Survival Instructor.