In and Out Navigation: The Easiest Way to Use a Compass
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- Опубліковано 11 сер 2020
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Stay in the Woods,
Dan
I got turned around one night hunting a very familiar area. Went towards the sound of running water, found the river and followed it to the road. I was about 3miles from where i thought i was. Getting lost is no joke.
I like to refer to being lost to being at an unintended location.😁
This is why I stick to Uber / Lyft. If they get lost and we die at least I get a refund or a credit for my next ride.
@@Azeminad 🤣👍 Probably the smartest guy on this thread!!
Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
@@incorectulpolitic Not worldwide. Doesn't work at the magnetic north pole. :)
Just heard a story about a hiker that got lost in the woods and survived for nearly 30 days but eventually died of starvation or illness. So I started researching how to not get lost in the woods and have spent the last 3 hours on UA-cam watching videos about using compasses. Your video is by far the easiest to understand. Thank you. 👍😁
Thank you for not putting 2.5 minutes of music and self promotion prior to just telling us what to do. Very simple. Thank you!!
That is a thing I really enjoy about his videos. It is about knowledge, not an advertisement
After many many years of teaching land navigation. The best tip for back azimuth is to use 10deg off set so that if you are going to a road or trail you can know to go left or right when you hit the road or trail. ie your back azimuth is say 120 you you travel back at 130deg so when you find road or trail you know you have to go left to find vehicle
👍 Setting boundary lines (roads, power lines, waterways etc) will always keep you in the ball park.
Yep, this. Great tip.
Yep, smart. Cuts you down to 50-50 chance of screwing it up.
Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
@@incorectulpolitic
Yes, if you spend a little more money to buy good quality a compass will last long.
When I was young, I was taught to look at the back trail on a regular basis because things look drastically different from the other direction.Also should mark your trail for easier return. A turned over rock,a scuff in the grass, a nick in the bark of a tree, a dead branch pointing out the direction,ect ect.
Thanks for the great tip.
@Jackie Chock full of great tips 🥰🥰
Good ideas.
I just taught my 3 year old this yesterday.
A good "Trail blazer" rarely gets lost. Cheers.
I've never been lost in the woods but i was once bewildered for 3 days! - Daniel Boone.
I realized that when you are traveling on an azimuth, with "the needle in the doghouse", to go in the opposite direction simply turn around until the opposite end of the needle is "in the doghouse". Pretty darn simple.
It's silly simple now, but when I was being taught to get a back azimuth they said if it's more than 180 degrees, subtract 180. If it's less, add 180. You don't even need to remember this. If you subtract 180 and get a negative number... you should have added, lol.
One of the best points you made was to put away your pride!!! A compass don’t have much weight and is invaluable especially in unfamiliar areas or at night. Most things really look different in the absence of light. Thanks Dan
Jerome Jackson ...Oh Yea...many of us found this out ...in the morning :)-
@@chipsramek3868 oh no!!! That sounds like a fun story!!
There was some young country singer who just got lost on his own 30 acres of property 08/09/20 and had to be rescued. He was utterly, completely unprepared taking what he thought would be a quick 30 minute walk. Perfect example how a few simple pieces of gear, knowledge and prep make a difference.
I get lost in the damned mall. If it weren't for Google Maps I'd never leave my city
I was in the Army. We did land nav; it was easy for me. I was also the BN CMDR's driver and I never got lost in the field. I know, those two things will get me into trouble fast. Over confidence is a killer. The time between when you're absolutely certain you're right, and when you finally admit you were wrong (or didn't know), is all the time you have to save yourself.
Another point you made....
Don't get your compass near metal when taking your readings. Metal buttons, zippers, screws on a picnic table etc can throw off your readings.
Hold the compass well away from any ferrous hardware.
This is so important! People rely heavily on electronics but they can break, get lost, run out of battery, or otherwise become unusable. Knowing basic navigation (and practicing it!!) is a vital skill for everyone, but especially hikers, backpackers, and anyone who ventures into unfamiliar territory.
You have just made the compass make sense for the first time in my life. THANK YOU!!
Me too.
I’m finally starting to get it.
I used to love working with bearings & topo maps..👍
Never been lost in the wilds, only in cities..👍🙈
Works in cities as well. I sometimes get laughed at when I pull out my compass in the city, but guess what, I find the way while the people I'm with have no clue where we are.
Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
Dog legs, hand rail, terrain association-all great tools for land nav. When I was a young soldier, land nav used to intimidate me. Then, I had an SF mentor who helped me "cheat" a whole lot. There are many, many courses out there to take to learn these techniques, and most can be taught in a day or two. A great resource to practice these regularly is a local orienteering club.
Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
@@incorectulpolitic looking at the compass I accidentally acquired, the model is 3H and the brand is Cammenga. NSN: 6605-01-196-6971. It's probably a good bet
i have a difficult time understanding compass navigation and have, therefore, been reticent to use one. This is the most clear and concise explanation that I have heard. I will be watching this again, along with your other navigation videos.
Oh wow that makes total sense. I never knew this was how you used a compass.
That's great! Just this comment made the video worth making.
You can do a lot more too. I am sure he will build up to the cooler tricks.
Yeah also in scuba diving it's sometimes very useful knowing how to use a compass like that, even not only subtracting 180° but also doing right angles to follow a square path
Dan, thanks. The simple use of a compass is often overlooked. When I was much younger and hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail with two buddies we had a couple of situations when we were deep in the woods and we needed to know which way to go - left or right - even though we had the full trail guide with us. The AT was not as busy in the 1980s as it is now. Two of us pulled out our compasses and quickly knew with confidence the right direction to go. Our third buddy didn't have a compass and told us we were wrong. He wanted to go the opposite direction. We took off in the correct direction and told him that we would never see him again. He soon changed his mind and caught up with us. This simple use of a compass is also essential when scouting new hunting areas. I am much older now, but one day I was the one who messed up. I had a compass in my vest but did not check my bearing before I entered a section of woods that I was not familiar with. I made a couple of blazes on some trees and though it would be easy to reverse and get out. It was fairly thick near a stream and I drifted a bit. When I turned to leave I soon lost sight of my blazes. I ended up getting out on a parrallel line, but since I was not sure exactly where I was it was a bit sketchy. I did have my 5-Cs kit with me but I needed to get out. If I had just checked my bearing on the way in - like you showed in this video - it would have been much quicker and easier to get back to the truck. When I mention taking a compass into the woods or on the AT to my son or other young people in their 20s they look at me like I am a dinosuar. They do not understand that a compass can be used faster than the GPS. I had a GPS that day but did not use that either since it would take longer to use! The compass is still a required piece of kit in my book. It should be the 6th C!
Good story!
Even with fresh batteries in my Garmin GPS the batteries gets drained down to 40% after a few hours. You go out deep into the woods with used or old batteries for your GPS it’s like playing Russian roulette with your life.
Indeed! As an older hunter, outdoorsman, we understand the value of these basic skills. The current generation is mostly clueless!
I just use a gps InReach for 3 things.
1. Recording routes to reference later
2. Emergency messages
3. Gain current location.
Using a compass for the initial bearing and throughout navigation, and also tracking, is far faster.
I’m not young but not old either. I learned from my dad, and scouting. Now with scouting a thing of the past, we may see an ignorant generation behind me that we could have never imagined. Haha.
Love the approach of this channel. I took the Sierra Club Wilderness class a few years ago and that was fine but these videos break it down better and keep it as simple as possible. I am more likely to remember and practice these tips.
No need to change the compass when using the back azimuth. Just put the South (white) end of the needle in the shed and you will be facing the correct back azimuth.
Yep ...poorly demonstrated or made more complicated than it is
While this might be true, it's also a step off "routine". For me, whatever I set the azimuth ring (or bearing memory to, in case of digital compass) was the direction I last took a verified decision to go towards.
I teach my scouts to put South or white in the shed to get their reverse azimuth. This save them trying to do calculations etc when possible in a panicked state of mind also if they reordered their azimuths in then they can use the same going out.
Either way good tips.
Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
Should I use the 10 degree offset method coming out with you method for better accuracy
@@incorectulpolitic The cammenga lensatic compass.
@@gammondog the cammenga is not global.. they sell one version for the northern hemisphere and one version for the southern hemisphere.
@@incorectulpolitic Thanks. I forgot about that. Perhaps a global version of the baseplate orienteering compass. You pay a premium for the global feature but save money on not having the sighting mirror.
I've spent a tremendous amount of time in the woods since I was a very little boy.
I was taught the most important piece of equipment to have every time you go into the woods is in fact a compass. It should be taught to every kid incase their parents don't.. It's always amazed me when I've heard of someone having been lost in the woods to find out that I they didn't have a compass with them.
Peace
Best ever instruction on how to use a compass
I think an hour long video on compass use would be fantastic. I'm sure you do one at your school but we can't all afford it. Maybe make it live so we can ask questions. Please consider it. You rock 🤘
There are numerous long videos on the subject on YT.
Search UA-cam for “wilderness navigation”. You’ll find a series of solid instructional videos.
@@johngo6283thank you👍
Also a good use of your compass is to find the location of where you shot your game animal at longer distances. I've used my compass to take a reading on where I shot the animal and where I seen it last and use the reverse azimuth back to where I was sitting to help find a blood trail. Great video Dan
Absolutely! If you’ve ever shot a deer or bear at 200 yards away with a creek and a Mountain Laurel patch in between you’ll never find the right spot with confidence without a compass. It’s hard enough sometimes even at 50 yards to keep everything right in your adrenaline addled mind as you start walking.
I Carry extra fluorescent orange baseball cap and hang it at the spot that I shot from. That way I can shoot my back bearing and just have to follow my line and worry about finding the right distance. After I find my sign I start dropping some of the cheapest single ply toilet paper. Or sticking them on tips of the nearest branches. That way I have a biodegradable cheap trail marker that allows me to roam out farther looking in the right direction.
You’re never lost. You may not know where you are exactly. You may not know where you want to go exactly. But you’re not ever lost. At worst you’re just late getting home for dinner.
Finally understand the bearing degree, although I probably flunked that terminology! Excellent Dan, thank you!
An essential skill for wilderness trekking. When asked if he had ever been lost in all of his wandering about Danial Boone replied that he had never been lost, bewildered for a month or two at times but never lost. Most of us don't have as much time as Daniel to figure it out.
I kinda feel like one day I'm gonna wish I'd pay'd more attention to this.
He doesn't make it easy to understand. I usually like this guys videos, but this one is confusing.
@@jons6368 Hi, I just want a compass, preferably liquid free, that can show accurately the direction of magnetic north WORLDWIDE, that lasts preferably a lifetime. Does such a compass exist? Thank you
Then do it a few Times. It can help
@@jons6368 yes . I had the same feeling
Aww don't worry...
I've never been lost in the woods in my life. But I've been turned around for a few days. Had to poke the bear a bit. Good luck 👍
Thanks Dan. Another direct, useful, and unembellished answer to a woodsman's needs. Your explanation of parallels nullifies many of the fears that anyone, unfamiliar with "Land-Nav" might have. Thanks for a great and very useful channel. Am at the opposite edge of the country, but believe that anyone could really profit from from some of your Bush Craft skills courses. Thanks for what you do; all across the world, we appreciate it ,, Cheers.
I live about 40 minutes from the border of PA in New York. We've been seeing A LOT of really really nice bucks on our trail cameras. Maybe I'll get a big one this year! I can always dream right! ;) Have fun during bow season Dan!
Sure glad you kept it pure magnetic heading navigation. If went into charts (maps) for navigation, you’d have to explain east/west declination - and that’ll make your head hurt. Let’s see - “east is least and west is best”
Quite timely. Thank you. The family and I are headed to a large Oregon state park where people have gotten lost before. I'm talking SAR called out lost. I appreciate this greatly.
I really appreciate this channel, lots of good simple, common sense valuable info.
Your summary comment was probably the most important, "short distances and at least somewhat familiar with the area". Even 50 or 100 yds off can disorient a person and once dusk sets in even familiar woodlands can appear foreign. Buddy system with at least one experienced person is a very important requirement if extended treks planned. Thanks Dan for your efforts.
Good video, for starters now do one showing how to use it with maps and different scales of maps.
I remember a couple times I got lost by making a wrong turn in a state park and straightened myself out because I noticed that the sun was in the wrong place in the sky relative to my direction.
Used my compass to get my head back on straight. Shoulda used it to not get lost like that in the first place, but lesson learned.
I'm glad you said do it in the area where you recognize, that what I was going to do alone.
I was going to do it on the family homestead property, it's thousands of acres but I know it like the back of my hand, so I could use the compass to practice and if I mess up I can figure out what I did wrong and try again without being horribly lost hahaha 🤣
Oh, wow, I'm so glad you did this video. I have always wanted to know how to use that part of the compass. I've never seen another video explain it so well. You might just save my life with this information one day. God bless you.
Man... that was excellent. I'm going to share this with my Trail Life USA troop. Thank you for making it so simple compared to all the other navigation videos on UA-cam. Well done!
Always good to look at a compass when at your vehicle, like a trailhead before starting any hike or backpacking adventure. Thanks for sharing how to use a compass; I'm sure it'll help a lot of folks who aren't used to using one.
Bada Bing ! Great tip Marjorie...
I once lost my car in a parking lot at a big shopping center - it took me 45 minutes to find my car. But no harm done - just inconvenient. Lesson learned. Have a very good idea where you are going and what geographic features are in the area - rivers - lakes - mountains - railroad tracks etc. and Rule #1; always let someone know where you are going and when you should be back - " I'll phone you when I get back ". Rule #2: always bring your emergency overnight kit including water when hiking. If you ever need it , you will thank yourself 1000 times and survive to hike another day.
A good topographic map of your favorite hunting/fishing/camping area never hurt either. You can buy them for cheap from your state government. This is easy to DO but not so easy to EXPLAIN to someone that's never done it. You did an amazing job as always.
First spring archery turkey hunt coming up for me at age 56. This is exactly what I need to know. Thank you.
I'm new to this. I almost never comment on youtube videos, but yours is such a breath of fresh air that I want to take the time to do so.I have an old Silva baseplate compass that I want to use for being able to return to a starting point while hiking in the forested mountains of Colorado with my wife and dogs. We came close to getting lost late in the day a couple of weeks ago. Sobering. TONS of poorly articulated technical explanations of compasses out there on youtube (usually preceded by and mixed in with annoying digressions and useless personal trivia), so the instructions you're providing here are gold to me. And a real time saver. THANK YOU, MAN!!! And...the "parallel" tip: Very cool! Wouldn't be surprised if you were the only one out there mentioning that important consideration. LOVE IT!!
I’m coming to the April Basic Bushcraft class….can not wait to be there!!!
I'm really enjoying your videos, keep it up. As a novice outdoorsman, I'm loving the short videos with great detail, to help develope my skills.
I really like your style of teaching. I’m not trying to be lewis and clark out there, just a good understanding of the basics can save your life. Thanks for the great content.
Og coalcracker thank you! Great common sensical advice. Stay safe
These are essential skills. I learned this in the cubs and then the scouts, for more advanced techniques such as with OS maps.
Taking a compass bearing is vital. An unfortunate example is the lady who got lost on the Appalachian Trail, her body was found a year later.
From her diary that was found she needed to use the bathroom, which was the woods. She walked off the trail to get some trees blocking view of her. The thing is when you look at the 360 degrees around you in a forest everything looks the same. She never found her way back to the trail.
I recall there was a compass found in her belongings. Had she taken a compass bearing and walked straight on that heading she only needed to walk that heading back to the trail.
If you have a compass, and you should, use it.
Great, practical example for everyday necessary use in the woods. Thanks for that reminder.
Just the subject I'm investigating right now! Thank you.
Your Simplicity is your wealth.
Outstanding explanation
I try to watch out being off by a few degrees cuz that can really make you not get back to where you want to be at an exact spot. Along with my compass I also make sure I look at the Sun where it is in the sky (when possible) and the lay of the land and what its telling me-streams/slopes/ridges etc while I'm out in the woods. I was told by my dive instructor years ago that if you have any doubt to put that doubt away and trust in your compass after of course you have become proficient in using it.
Excellent Coal! Simple perfect compass tutorial for the hunter!
Nice video. Some people see the compass as some sort of magic art beyond their understanding, but it's just a tool in the kit. Taking it out and using it is the best learning method.
almost 17 years ago i was a scouter, and i remember that we learned how to navigate with a map, it was very cool thing to do but now i almost forgot everything, im looking for a video that explains the coordenates on a map that actually has representation of lets say 1 cm as 10 km or whatever and the paralelss and meridians so i can re learn again all of that, its is amazing how this can save your life especially if you want to go on a trail and caring the maps with you.
Thanks Dan you have a really easy way of explaining stuff that makes sense thank you I’m gonna ad one to my kit .
As always, good content! Thanks!
Probably one of the best explanations of this I have seen on UA-cam. Good video.
Thank you. I haven't navigated since public school and really appreciate the lesson.
Always have a compass as a back up to my garmin tactix delta solar gps watch and the garmin mini inreach 2. Layers of redundancy is key. Then also have the equipment and knowledge to survive in the event you did get lost or stranded. Thanks for all your informative videos.
Another Great n very informative video. Also I enjoyed watching you on the show Alone. Good onya mate for having a go. Inspirational.
Love your videos! You do a great job instructing !
You have a gift to make things easier and encouraging people not to be afraid to try.
Hi Dan. Your compass looks like a Suunto MC2 and you have pacing beads attached to it. Smart. Thank you for this tutorial. I keep several compasses in my van (van lifer) and so far I've been able to travel and hike safely using my MC2. I love how you simplify its use and explaining the azimuth process. I think everyone should have a basic knowledge of using a compass. There are too many stories of people getting lost after their vehicle breaks down or while on a hike they veer off trail and can not find the way back to the trail.
Excellent information, clearly presented. Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate this video. I always associated compass use with maps. But practical for short map-less hikes. Could make a running list of vectors (for reversing on way out) if taking side trails or detours.
Love the basics.
If you want to build your confidence with a compass use it in conjuction with a GPS. Take a GPS location, document it or save it. Then use the basic azimuth land nav to get you around and log important locations like trail heads, vehicles, camp site, water source etc with GPS but use your compass to get you everywhere but the GPS can just be used as a backup.
Coalcracker you got me don't be to proud to use your compass that's me to a tee piece and love from 1 leg UK England
This was a really great explanation of to use a compass for basic navigation.
Surper helpful .... spreading the word. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! The simplicity really helps!
Good advice Dan
Old school map and compass. Love it!
I’m watching this the night before a hike in Bryce Canyon.....some how I sense this will come in handy.
I could feel a little more comfortable in the woods knowing how a compass worked. Thanks
I'd be even more comfortable if this guy were with me there.
NOT a hunter but will listen to you
I learned something new today! Thank you.
I'm going learn this cold , I love it...thx so much...
Thanks Dan. Take care.
thank you very much I,m just learning an I,m 52 like you said was scared of it to complcating but want to know im in the woods more.
Very simple and practical lesson. Love it. 😊
Well done brother! Literal survival knowledge!
Great video - thanks!
Best "Quick" tutorial on using a compass!!!
Great information! Thank you!
You know, Prof, this parallel trick could really put somebody beside their self. Thanks for sharing.
Good, simple explanation. Subscribed. Thanks!
Great information to have! Thanks a lot! 👍👍
I carry one when im out most of the time im on a trail 👣 hiking in , but this will definitely help if im out bush wacking or deer hunting thank for the video
makes sense ! thanks for sharing
Awesome video sir!
Wow thank you, about to go on my first excursion 👍 get er done
Love for u to expand on this next vid. What 2 do if several miles off route? How to make sure u dont over or under shoot ur camp on reverse coarse. Or if ur parallel do u go left or right to camp.
Man honestly I didn't like you much at first,I think it was that thick northern accent.hell I'm eat thicker at a southern so touche! Anyways I kept watching and kept watching???? Why? Because man you really know your stuff! My dad taught us and he's legit,and putting my learning with what I've watched from you,I just love, respect,and highly recommed your channel to anyone whom loves hiking,outdoors, prepping or survival! Too many channels that claim to be BUT by gosh I'll stand behind yours! Ryan out.
Good tips. Thanks!
I hope that someone going offtrail into the woods has a lot more going for them than what you just told them!
One of the better videos on this subject- simple, clear and to the point.
The way I would explain it would be similar- I would just say, with the compass flat and facing away from you, simply rotate the dial until the direction you want to travel is at the top (Direction of Travel Arrow or the 12 o'clock position.) At that point, simply rotate "your body" until the red arrow is "in the shed" (this will always be Magnetic North.) Follow "the main fixed arrows" that correspond to your dialed in heading- not the red arrow (unless you are going North.) You will now be following the specific HEADING that you dialed in. To go back in the general direction you came from, simply rotate the dial 180 degrees- again put "red in the shed" by, in this case turning your body 180 degrees and walk back.
Another good tip- wear bright orange in that area since they are bow hunting!