Curtail catastrophe with a compass

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Curtail catastrophe with a compass

Hiking, mountain biking and other extreme sports are creating quite a stir in the outdoor world. Getting further away from work and responsibility and into the depths of the outdoors can mean traveling to some very exotic and remote locations.

Every year thousands of outdoor enthusiasts get turned around in the great outdoors calling on emergency rescue crews to track them down and get them home safely. In most cases, a compass would have led them directly back to where they began and safely home. Read below to find out how to use a compass.

• Step One: On a compass the needle always points in the same direction so you can use it to get to any point you can see. This is helpful when the land is flat and you lose sight of the destination as you dip into valleys. Start by holding the compass flat so that the needle will function properly. Next, point the direction of travel arrow toward your final destination.

• Step Two: With the compass pointed at the direction of your destination, turn the housing so that the orienting needle is centered under the red end of the needle. Look at the number on the compass housing where it touches the direction of travel arrow and remember that number as it is the bearing to your destination.

• Step Three: With the bearing number set, follow the direction of travel arrow being careful to keep the red end of the needle over the orienting arrow. It isn't necessary to watch your compass at all times, rather take periodic reading to ensure you are on the right course and make any corrections as needed.

This is the most basic use of a compass. You can also learn to use your compass to travel in a path in any direction you choose and also to use your compass in conjunction with a map to plot your course to very distant places that are out of your sight line.