A compass is a device with which you can determine the cardinal points, remember your route and then go out in the right place. It's very useful, but only if you know how to use it. It is not difficult to master the use of this device, but for training, just in case, take one walk in a well-known area.
Compass device
The compass allows you to determine how the cardinal directions are located relative to you: north, south, east and west. As a rule, the compass has two arrows, and the north arrow is marked in a special way. It can be blue, shorter or arrow-shaped. It happens that there is only one arrow in the compass, then it always points to the north direction.
There is usually a small lever on the compass that, if locked, will prevent the arrow from moving. Lock the compass when you are not using it.
The compass can only be used if it is positioned strictly horizontally: the arrow must not touch the glass or the base of the device. Deviations at any angle negatively affect the accuracy of the compass, since the physical forces acting on the needle are no longer balanced. The device is also knocked down by any metal objects, the proximity of railway tracks or the presence of a nearby power line. Any compasses that are built into various metal objects are unsuitable for use: a watch, a knife handle, and so on.
Compass check
Each compass should be checked from time to time. This is where you should start your trip. Never forget to check your compass before trekking, this is very important or you run the risk of seriously getting lost.
Spread the appliance horizontally. When the arrow stops moving, bring a metal object to it. As soon as it begins to change position, abruptly remove the metal. If the arrow has returned to its original position, then everything is in order. Just in case, bring the object to the compass a few more times from other sides.
Using the compass
Determine the landmark to which you want to return. It is desirable that it be an extended object, for example, a road, river or railroad track. The object must be extended, since any compass has an error of 1-3 degrees.
Select a landmark, then move at a right angle from it. Turn to face him. Unlock the compass and position it horizontally. Now wait for the arrow to calm down, turn the device so that it coincides with the north (this is the sign N - north, not S - south, sometimes Russian-speaking people confuse this).
Now mentally draw a line in the desired direction of the path. You can use a pen or twig for convenience. Remember, or rather write down the degrees from zero (north point), in the direction of the clockwise. This will be the point to return to - the azimuth. The number on the opposite side is the direction of movement. You need to remember him too.
Each time you change direction, notice the landmark and memorize the coordinates of the direction of movement and azimuth. Try to choose large landmarks.
To go back, position the compass horizontally so that the line from center to bearing is straight ahead. Now rotate on your axis until the arrow aligns with north. As soon as this has happened and the arrow has calmed down, go straight. When you reach the change of direction landmark, repeat the same thing again, taking the azimuth from that point.
