I myself am a fellow bushcraft instructor in the Green mountain area of Vermont, with that being said I hope you would accept my biggest thanks for your channel. I found it about 6 months ago and I enjoy watching your ideas even so much as to show a few of them myself to my student. I always give the props to you and have informed them of your channel. Much thanks my friend
That is a great example of beginners compass reading. I was a land surveyor and when we were just trying to find property corners we would basically have to start out with the compass and that was my first lesson after that as I was learning to use the instrument which in the beginning Was An Old Mountain Transit I had to learn to use the compass on the instrument and then how to read the Vernier and so on and so forth so yeah I get this and it's a great beginning for beginners. Thanks a lot I appreciate that video that kind of brought back some great memories of course I'm retired from survey now but I certainly hope that all the people that tries to learn understands this very first lesson because it is vital to reading a compass. Thanks again for the video have a great day stay safe keep your powder dry!
Dan, awesome video, enjoyed your much needed points for this critical tool. I'll look forward to practice these info and experience a better outdoor time. Thank you for sharing.
Great video and good tips Dan but please also teach students to treat a compass as a precision instrument - don't hold it in your hand whilst shaking your hand vigorously to emphasise a point and don't swing it round by the lanyard. If students see an instructor doing this they'll think it's ok for them to do the same.
Awesome Dan! Thanks for helping us out with knowing how to use a compass. I don't use one but I'll get one and try it out . More tools for the toolbox Dan! Take care and stay safe my friend!
I used to carry a compass and map as a backup to my GPS. However, lately I am finding that orienteering is fun. I even made my own Ranger Beads to measure distance traveled. Now, I carry a GPS as backup to my compass and map.
I have never used a compass, I don't know if I ever will. I compared my watch compass to a Silva compass, and it was spot on the same when I marked a target. So I do have one if I ever need one, but my built in compass that I have since a kid has done me good all through out life. Don't know if that is normal or not, but I don't get lost that easily, and if I do, I find my way back. Anyone else recognize what I am talking about? :D
Are you all aware that... 1) The North and South magnetic poles are moving and nothing like has happened in written history? However, geological history shows many past magnetic pole reversals, so it is not too unusual. We are just lucky to be alive while it is happening this time. The North magnetic pole is now crossing the Arctic Ocean headed for Siberia, and if its direction remains unchanged, then it is ultimately headed for the Indian Ocean. The South magnetic pole has left the continent of Antarctica, and it is headed toward the Indian Ocean. Yes, the poles are converging. The expectation is that additional poles will "pop up" in other areas of our planet, and possibly even multiple additional poles, until the magnetic reorganization stabilizes. We have been told such a magnetic pole reorganization (usually referred to as a "pole flip" or "pole reversal") would take thousands of years, but they were wrong. Recent geologic evidence has shown past pole reversals happened in as little as 88 years, though usually it did take longer. 2) The magnetic field strength of planet Earth is weakening, and that is speeding up. The SWARM mission is three satellites in formation measuring our planetary magnetic field as they circle the Earth. In 2010 it was reported the field was weakening and the poles were moving. Since they are scheduled to report their findings every five years, in 2015 the SWARM project lead announced the magnetic field, which has been weakening at a rate of 5% per century since we began monitoring it, is now dropping by 5% per decade. It also is speeding up. He quietly lost his job. There was no report in 2020. Our planetary magnetic field is already down by 25% to 30%, and dropping (the last we heard) at 5% every 10 years. You do the math. This reorganization and weakening will impact compass action, and a number of airports have needed to repaint their runway headings. Declination will need to be checked and adjusted more often, too. There are other things it will impact as well. A weakening magnetic field means a weakening magnetosphere, our planetary magnetic shield. That means more radiation from the sun, especially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation will be getting through. It also means more cosmic radiation getting through, rather than being conducted around to the poles. While it is well known that UV radiation has a serious effect on our skin, causing sunburn and skin cancer, it is NOT as well known that cosmic ray fluctuations impact coronary health. Thus, higher cosmic ray intensity means an increase in the number of heart attacks. This has been known for at least 10 years, but no one tells the public, and it may not even be in medical textbooks yet. Let's just say that the interaction and effects of Earth's magnetic field, the Sun's magnetic field, and the interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) are all going to have increasing influence as our local magnetic shield weakens. So at least take care in direct sunlight in the coming years. And remember to recheck you declination numbers periodically.
Cloudy days. I always shoot an azimuth whenever I step off the trail for a number 2! Had a few bad experiences not being far enough off the trail. Had a few bad experiences being far enough off the trail.
I think you should make how to use a compass a series, one on navigation using dead reckoning, another on understanding and setting declination, another planning a route with a map and compass...
I'm really struggling to find high detail topo maps. I'm looking for 1:10000 UTM for hiking, hunting, and land nav practice. REI, Sportsman's Wharehouse, USGS, don't sell them anymore. Please help.
This is one of those skills that needs to be practiced often. It’s not like a bike. I haven’t used it for less than a year and have already forgotten so much. I know because you just reminded me of the half I forgot.
Anthropology_in_your_shrubbery That’s a great suggestion. It should be a part of your daily life. Just curious, what type of compass do you carry? Mine is the Suunto MC2 that I purchased to do a navigation course. I enjoy the versatility and multiple uses it provides with a mirror, magnifying lense and adjustable bezel.
Some great tips. Just remember that the magnetic declination is rapidly changing as the Earth's magnetic poles move and will eventually swap, possibly meeting around Indonesia and off the coast of Brazil or Argentina (South Atlantic Anomaly) in coming years (it has happened before). For more information check out the suspicious Observers UA-cam channel disaster playlist.
I have been through a Search and Rescue academy as well as watching dozens of uTube videos. This is some of best basic advice I have ever seen. Remember advanced training is just perfecting the bacics.
Also make sure to keep the compass away from any electronics which themselves can contain magnets. I carry my camera on one of my shoulder straps and if my compass (same one in this video) is within a foot of the camera the needle is deflected
Hi Dan. I have some question, and i hope you, or someone, can help me. If i store few compasses in the same place, ou bag, or something, would they demagnetise each other?
I prefer the lymphatic compassion the military style from Camenga that's what I used when I was in the scouts my brother gave me his when he was in the Navy CB I learned how to use that compass that's why I like that compass God bless
Just got this compass today at rei. But it doesn't have a magnifier. Didn't notice when I was looking over. Not until I got home to look around the map at some details
Sir, the way you break down information and your instructional ability is fantastic and very clear in your presentation. I am sure your instruction has kept many campers highly motivated but short on experience alive. I thank you. Here's a little conundrum of my experience that that my dad walked me through but I've simply forgot most of it. My father was a marine and he took me out one day I was pretty young about 9 years old. He took a stick and drew a circle around it. When the shadow pointed up, he identified it as the 12 o'clock mark. (remember, it was 5 decades ago, I am hoping you make sense of my shaky memories). From the 12 'high noon' position he designated it as 12 o'clock, I guess his anchor point.. As I watched the shadow change, it corresponded with the hour marks on the circle of a 12 hour clock..as long as we had daylight. He would look at the position of a shadow to the stick, No number marks, and tell the time within 20 or thirty minutes of my watch, (or better), using only the sun and a stick; maybe two, sticks I don't remember. He would draw a circle and seeing it's shadow tell the time. But ALSO, it told what is North... I became an off trail camper and learned some basic orientation markers, such as the direction rivers flow in whatever area, and maybe a 'Landmark'., a distant mountain range or..? In my uneducated somewhat superficial way, I knew if I needed to find a location in the wood I had general idea of North, East, South ,West and if lost, I had a general idea what direction certain rivers flowed; some north, others whatever; so I never got too lost. because knowing what is North, to find East I merely faced North and made a sharp right turn. I also believe we have a type of ' Spiritual' or Intuitive senses we can develop to bring us home. It also helps to know what direction a rivers flow in one's chosen area.. Please comment, as my memory is fragmented and hopefully you can make sense of my ramblings. Thanking you in advance..:
How do you evaluate a good compass. My (Ex) partner purchased more than one compass over the years and they went camping a lot. I have no idea how but the few compasses they had fell apart and such. They typically just purchased them from the Hardware stores and at least one from the "Sporting Goods" department at Walmart. Is there a way to know if you are getting a rugged and worthy compass and not some junk that will be broken after a few years?
There are a number of land navigation books available. Also several good bushcraft channels on UA-cam (Coalcracker; Dave Canterbury; Corporal's Corner; etc) that have compass instructions including a recommended compass. As Dan said, Suunto is a quality brand. the MC-2 is really good (several variations - do your homework before purchase). The Cammenga Lensatic Compass is/was used by the military. A different skill set is used for that style. I have not seen it recommended by any YT bushcraft channel.
Excellent advice, such as I've heard many times on your channel. To add emphasis to your training, I cite my Brunton Pocket Transit. The manual has detailed instructions on holding consistently when not using the tripod mount. The instrument has a leveling bubble built-in. That is how important consistency is for readings. The more accuracy you want, the more deliberate your process.
Dan , you should have a basic land nav class to show compass basics. I'm 60 years old and have never learned to use a compass. I have never felt the need for but would like to learn.
if you look through that little hole in the compass, you can see all of us at home?? What kind of compass is that?? Just kidding man, great vid as always 😊
for me its often a GPS to help with a bearing then it goes away and the compass gets used to take me there. Of course with SAR digital tracking and mapping is gaining a lot of ground so that does get used a lot but one always has a compass with you and typically still uses it to keep on course.
I like my old US Army compass, it isn't the best, but it works for me. Something I would like to pass on to many of the younger viewers who grew up with GPS, and say they don't know how to use a compass and navigate a map. Yes you do... all the time - in gaming. Making the connection between a gaming compass/map and the real world compass and map? It takes some learning, sure, but it isn't an impossible challenge.
Thanks for the navigation videos. I purchased a compass last summer, watched some confusing videos, then left it sitting in my office where it was doing amazing work... Now, I have a better understanding and will be keeping it with me and practicing more. I still need to learn to use it with a map if you have done that video. Thanks again.
Thank you for your honesty. So many today misrepresent themselves on social media. They often show themselves doing workouts that they don't do themselves to achieve their results. It makes you think if I do this I will achieve similar results. The problem is you will spend your time and energy meanwhile the person is doing a completely different workout for themselves. Very deceiving even if not intentionally.
I myself am a fellow bushcraft instructor in the Green mountain area of Vermont, with that being said I hope you would accept my biggest thanks for your channel. I found it about 6 months ago and I enjoy watching your ideas even so much as to show a few of them myself to my student. I always give the props to you and have informed them of your channel. Much thanks my friend
It’s not his he learned from others
That is a great example of beginners compass reading. I was a land surveyor and when we were just trying to find property corners we would basically have to start out with the compass and that was my first lesson after that as I was learning to use the instrument which in the beginning Was An Old Mountain Transit I had to learn to use the compass on the instrument and then how to read the Vernier and so on and so forth so yeah I get this and it's a great beginning for beginners. Thanks a lot I appreciate that video that kind of brought back some great memories of course I'm retired from survey now but I certainly hope that all the people that tries to learn understands this very first lesson because it is vital to reading a compass. Thanks again for the video have a great day stay safe keep your powder dry!
Hi Dan. Having taught compass work for years I must compliment you on a great set of information! Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Dan, awesome video, enjoyed your much needed points for this critical tool. I'll look forward to practice these info and experience a better outdoor time. Thank you for sharing.
Great sound tip Dan, thanks 👍
Great video and good tips Dan but please also teach students to treat a compass as a precision instrument - don't hold it in your hand whilst shaking your hand vigorously to emphasise a point and don't swing it round by the lanyard. If students see an instructor doing this they'll think it's ok for them to do the same.
Great tips Dan! 8 literally just got the Suunto MC -2G in the mail today. 😀 Plan on using it when going off trail.
outstanding, more knowledge!
Thankyou
Awesome Dan! Thanks for helping us out with knowing how to use a compass. I don't use one but I'll get one and try it out . More tools for the toolbox Dan! Take care and stay safe my friend!
Excellent! Thanks, Dan.
Thanks Dan. Good tips!
I used to carry a compass and map as a backup to my GPS. However, lately I am finding that orienteering is fun. I even made my own Ranger Beads to measure distance traveled. Now, I carry a GPS as backup to my compass and map.
Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.
I have never used a compass, I don't know if I ever will. I compared my watch compass to a Silva compass, and it was spot on the same when I marked a target. So I do have one if I ever need one, but my built in compass that I have since a kid has done me good all through out life. Don't know if that is normal or not, but I don't get lost that easily, and if I do, I find my way back. Anyone else recognize what I am talking about? :D
Are you all aware that...
1) The North and South magnetic poles are moving and nothing like has happened in written history? However, geological history shows many past magnetic pole reversals, so it is not too unusual. We are just lucky to be alive while it is happening this time.
The North magnetic pole is now crossing the Arctic Ocean headed for Siberia, and if its direction remains unchanged, then it is ultimately headed for the Indian Ocean. The South magnetic pole has left the continent of Antarctica, and it is headed toward the Indian Ocean. Yes, the poles are converging. The expectation is that additional poles will "pop up" in other areas of our planet, and possibly even multiple additional poles, until the magnetic reorganization stabilizes.
We have been told such a magnetic pole reorganization (usually referred to as a "pole flip" or "pole reversal") would take thousands of years, but they were wrong. Recent geologic evidence has shown past pole reversals happened in as little as 88 years, though usually it did take longer.
2) The magnetic field strength of planet Earth is weakening, and that is speeding up. The SWARM mission is three satellites in formation measuring our planetary magnetic field as they circle the Earth. In 2010 it was reported the field was weakening and the poles were moving. Since they are scheduled to report their findings every five years, in 2015 the SWARM project lead announced the magnetic field, which has been weakening at a rate of 5% per century since we began monitoring it, is now dropping by 5% per decade. It also is speeding up. He quietly lost his job. There was no report in 2020. Our planetary magnetic field is already down by 25% to 30%, and dropping (the last we heard) at 5% every 10 years. You do the math.
This reorganization and weakening will impact compass action, and a number of airports have needed to repaint their runway headings. Declination will need to be checked and adjusted more often, too.
There are other things it will impact as well. A weakening magnetic field means a weakening magnetosphere, our planetary magnetic shield. That means more radiation from the sun, especially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation will be getting through. It also means more cosmic radiation getting through, rather than being conducted around to the poles. While it is well known that UV radiation has a serious effect on our skin, causing sunburn and skin cancer, it is NOT as well known that cosmic ray fluctuations impact coronary health. Thus, higher cosmic ray intensity means an increase in the number of heart attacks. This has been known for at least 10 years, but no one tells the public, and it may not even be in medical textbooks yet. Let's just say that the interaction and effects of Earth's magnetic field, the Sun's magnetic field, and the interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) are all going to have increasing influence as our local magnetic shield weakens. So at least take care in direct sunlight in the coming years. And remember to recheck you declination numbers periodically.
I wonder what an insurance actuary would think about this.
Suunto, because they’re still made in Finland😎👍, those other ones are made in china these days 😳.
Nice. No one has ever explained it to me as well as you have.
What model compass is that?
Never thought of the whole lanyard aspect👍
Now a great topic would be where to find 1:50,000 topo maps!?!?
Cloudy days. I always shoot an azimuth whenever I step off the trail for a number 2! Had a few bad experiences not being far enough off the trail. Had a few bad experiences being far enough off the trail.
Keep in mind some things upset the compass, such as it's too close to a phone, my leatherman upsets the bearing. Just saying. Great content btw
I was told a long time ago that they put the mirror on the compass so you could see who's lost .
When you turn your hat backwards are you the cool teacher that sits backwards in his chair 🪑
Good video. I’ve always enjoyed your videos. Thanks
Thanks Dan!
Playing with your compass is great way to learning to use it ! Thanks
I think you should make how to use a compass a series, one on navigation using dead reckoning, another on understanding and setting declination, another planning a route with a map and compass...
Just what I was thinking. How is this skill important? Do you need a map? When can I use this?
Questions.......
I'm really struggling to find high detail topo maps. I'm looking for 1:10000 UTM for hiking, hunting, and land nav practice. REI, Sportsman's Wharehouse, USGS, don't sell them anymore. Please help.
This is one of those skills that needs to be practiced often. It’s not like a bike. I haven’t used it for less than a year and have already forgotten so much. I know because you just reminded me of the half I forgot.
Anthropology_in_your_shrubbery That’s a great suggestion. It should be a part of your daily life. Just curious, what type of compass do you carry? Mine is the Suunto MC2 that I purchased to do a navigation course. I enjoy the versatility and multiple uses it provides with a mirror, magnifying lense and adjustable bezel.
@Anthropology_in_your_shrubbery thank you. Good to meet another fellow enthusiast. 🔥
Bubble trouble with liquid filled compasses. Lensstic is the compass I recommend.
@03:50 The word you were looking for is BISECT [divide (a line, angle, shape, etc.) into two equal parts] DISSECT is what we did in Science class.
Some great tips. Just remember that the magnetic declination is rapidly changing as the Earth's magnetic poles move and will eventually swap, possibly meeting around Indonesia and off the coast of Brazil or Argentina (South Atlantic Anomaly) in coming years (it has happened before). For more information check out the suspicious Observers UA-cam channel disaster playlist.
I have been through a Search and Rescue academy as well as watching dozens of uTube videos. This is some of best basic advice I have ever seen. Remember advanced training is just perfecting the bacics.
👍😎👍
Hi from Syracuse NY USA everyone thank you for sharing your adventures and information
Have you any footnotes for compasses without mirrors? For that is precisely the description of my faithful old Silva from the mid-90s.
Also make sure to keep the compass away from any electronics which themselves can contain magnets. I carry my camera on one of my shoulder straps and if my compass (same one in this video) is within a foot of the camera the needle is deflected
Hi Dan.
I have some question, and i hope you, or someone, can help me.
If i store few compasses in the same place, ou bag, or something, would they demagnetise each other?
its better to SHOW folks first hand, IMO
I prefer the lymphatic compassion the military style from Camenga that's what I used when I was in the scouts my brother gave me his when he was in the Navy CB I learned how to use that compass that's why I like that compass God bless
Some compasses go by degrees and some by mills. Which should I get?
Great Video
Just got this compass today at rei. But it doesn't have a magnifier. Didn't notice when I was looking over. Not until I got home to look around the map at some details
I guess I've used a compass and done extensive land nav for so long I thought this was all common sense. Good video though for those just learning
Good Stuff. Stay STOKED.
Saying that sighting is advanced is like... good info anyhow.
I also use my wrist watch as a compass, if I don't have a compass on me ,works perfectly ( in sun up hours )
Had a compass bearing class at REI. This was better and ty.
Could you please tell me what compass it is? Thank you.
Any good soldier believes that there is no such thing as " too much land-nav. 🙂
I can get lost in a house, I always bring my compass. I have been in many big houses.
I did not know Buff Bros had a Survival Channel
Hi can anyone tell me what will happen if I use my northern hemisphere compass in the southern hemisphere will it still work?
Great job, I liked it. I also recently started making videos about hiking and bushcraft and it's pretty good. Greetings from Belarus!
This is the best quick tips video ever
Sir, the way you break down information and your instructional ability is fantastic and very clear in your presentation. I am sure your instruction has kept many campers highly motivated but short on experience alive. I thank you.
Here's a little conundrum of my experience that that my dad walked me through but I've simply forgot most of it. My father was a marine and he took me out one day I was pretty young about 9 years old. He took a stick and drew a circle around it. When the shadow pointed up, he identified it as the 12 o'clock mark. (remember, it was 5 decades ago, I am hoping you make sense of my shaky memories). From the 12 'high noon' position he designated it as 12 o'clock, I guess his anchor point.. As I watched the shadow change, it corresponded with the hour marks on the circle of a 12 hour clock..as long as we had daylight. He would look at the position of a shadow to the stick, No number marks, and tell the time within 20 or thirty minutes of my watch, (or better), using only the sun and a stick; maybe two, sticks I don't remember. He would draw a circle and seeing it's shadow tell the time.
But ALSO, it told what is North... I became an off trail camper and learned some basic orientation markers, such as the direction rivers flow in whatever area, and maybe a 'Landmark'., a distant mountain range or..? In my uneducated somewhat superficial way, I knew if I needed to find a location in the wood I had general idea of North, East, South ,West and if lost, I had a general idea what direction certain rivers flowed; some north, others whatever; so I never got too lost. because knowing what is North, to find East I merely faced North and made a sharp right turn.
I also believe we have a type of ' Spiritual' or Intuitive senses we can develop to bring us home. It also helps to know what direction a rivers flow in one's chosen area.. Please comment, as my memory is fragmented and hopefully you can make sense of my ramblings. Thanking you in advance..:
what do you do if you don't have the reckting asalot of us do ?
What compass (brand and model) do you use?
Cool vid. Very helpful, thanks. 😎
Awesome lesson... thank you!!
Helpful thanks 👍
Wow i didn't know any of this. I need to learn and then show my kids
Good video...... very very useful......👍👍👍
How do you evaluate a good compass. My (Ex) partner purchased more than one compass over the years and they went camping a lot. I have no idea how but the few compasses they had fell apart and such. They typically just purchased them from the Hardware stores and at least one from the "Sporting Goods" department at Walmart.
Is there a way to know if you are getting a rugged and worthy compass and not some junk that will be broken after a few years?
There are a number of land navigation books available. Also several good bushcraft channels on UA-cam (Coalcracker; Dave Canterbury; Corporal's Corner; etc) that have compass instructions including a recommended compass. As Dan said, Suunto is a quality brand. the MC-2 is really good (several variations - do your homework before purchase). The Cammenga Lensatic Compass is/was used by the military. A different skill set is used for that style. I have not seen it recommended by any YT bushcraft channel.
Thank you for the Video...I just learned something new 🥰
Great info 👍
Thanks 😊
Excellent advice, such as I've heard many times on your channel. To add emphasis to your training, I cite my Brunton Pocket Transit. The manual has detailed instructions on holding consistently when not using the tripod mount. The instrument has a leveling bubble built-in. That is how important consistency is for readings. The more accuracy you want, the more deliberate your process.
Gotta have my cracker video.
I'd love a basic compass instructional video please 😁
Dan , you should have a basic land nav class to show compass basics. I'm 60 years old and have never learned to use a compass. I have never felt the need for but would like to learn.
Thank you very much.
Good video; but “bisect”.
if you look through that little hole in the compass, you can see all of us at home?? What kind of compass is that?? Just kidding man, great vid as always 😊
for me its often a GPS to help with a bearing then it goes away and the compass gets used to take me there. Of course with SAR digital tracking and mapping is gaining a lot of ground so that does get used a lot but one always has a compass with you and typically still uses it to keep on course.
Great explanation love it
👍🏼👍🏼🇨🇦🇨🇦👍🏼👍🏼
Learned something…again. Always good stuff.
👍can you send me one 😁
Fantastic 👍❤
Great basics
Good info, skook!
Na example bad
More please!
Great tips
Just checking your channel.. Thank you great video. 🇺🇸 Kingston NY
Bisect not disect..
That would be bad for the compass.
@@wmluna381 Loss of equity
Good stuff, thank you!
Awesome!
Excellent. Learned some basic handiling of my compass. Thanks
I like my old US Army compass, it isn't the best, but it works for me. Something I would like to pass on to many of the younger viewers who grew up with GPS, and say they don't know how to use a compass and navigate a map. Yes you do... all the time - in gaming. Making the connection between a gaming compass/map and the real world compass and map? It takes some learning, sure, but it isn't an impossible challenge.
Thanks Dan. Great info. Always learning fresh new tips from you. 👍👍
"When you're just at home on a rainy day, play around with your compass." That is exactly what is going on as I watch this video. Lol
I learn so much from the CC!! Thank you sir!
Thanks for the navigation videos. I purchased a compass last summer, watched some confusing videos, then left it sitting in my office where it was doing amazing work... Now, I have a better understanding and will be keeping it with me and practicing more. I still need to learn to use it with a map if you have done that video. Thanks again.
Great tips! Thx!
Thank you for your honesty. So many today misrepresent themselves on social media. They often show themselves doing workouts that they don't do themselves to achieve their results. It makes you think if I do this I will achieve similar results. The problem is you will spend your time and energy meanwhile the person is doing a completely different workout for themselves. Very deceiving even if not intentionally.
Thanks for reminding me, I need to pick up a new compass. May the 4th be with you
Great refresher on basic positioning! Always appreciate your videos!
Very helpful, concrete, information Thank you!
great tips/skills! thank you! didn't know about the house or the reason for the line on the mirror. thank you!