To navigate the map, one must take into account that the north side is located at the top, the south is at the bottom, the west is on the left, and the east is on the right. It is necessary to know and understand the symbols of objects plotted on the map, and be able to determine the cardinal points on the ground.
It is necessary
Sports card, compass, mechanical watch
Instructions
Step 1
Place the card on a flat, horizontal surface. Place the compass so its arrow is parallel to the side of the map. After the arrow has calmed down, carefully rotate the map until the north (red) end of the arrow aligns with the north direction of the map. If there is no compass, the direction of the cardinal points will have to be determined by the sun, stars or the moon. Position the mechanical watch horizontally so that the hour hand points to the sun. Divide the angle between the hour hand and the 2 o'clock direction. The bisector indicates the direction to the south. This method will relatively accurately help you navigate in northern and temperate latitudes in winter. In spring, autumn, and especially in summer, its accuracy decreases. In southern latitudes, you should not resort to it. It should be remembered that in central Russia the sun rises in the east and sets in the west in spring and autumn. In summer, sunrise is observed in the northeast, and sunset in the northwest. In winter, the sunrise is shifted to the southeast, and the sunset is to the southwest. In the south, the sun is at 14 o'clock in the summer and at 13 o'clock in the winter. At night, you can determine the direction to the north by the Pole Star. Find the Big Dipper bucket in the sky. Draw a straight line through the last two stars of the bucket handle. Mentally multiply the distance between these two stars by five and mark a segment of the corresponding length along the line up. There is the North Star. Face her and get a north direction.
Step 2
Determine your location by finding a landmark on the terrain and tying it to a symbol on the map. The easiest way to navigate is by point (stone, pit, spring, structure, well, etc.) and linear (river, road, forest border) objects.
Step 3
Determine the direction of travel and plan a route using bindings on the ground to help you navigate. It is most convenient to use a sports map, which shows in detail the terrain, the direction of roads and paths, the contours of buildings and natural objects. In addition, the distance between objects is maintained on the sports map. Measure the distance on the map between two objects using the compass ruler and multiply it by the map scale. Count your steps between these objects - this way you can determine the distance on the ground in steps.
Step 4
Learn to keep the map in mind and pick out landmarks on the ground that you have mapped out as bindings. Check your compass and map regularly to stay on track. If this happens, determine your location using objects on the ground and chart a new route.
