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Authored by John W. Desmarais 18-Dec-1999

Updated by Brockman 09-Jul-2008

Modified by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell

TX-129 Fort Worth Senior Squadron

For Local Training Rev 5.0 02-Jan-2014

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This Training Slide Show is a project undertaken by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell of the TX-129 Fort Worth Senior Squadron, Fort Worth, TX for local use to

assist those CAP Members interested in advancing their skills. The information contained herein is for CAP Member’s personal use and is not intended to replace or be a substitute for any of the CAP National Training Programs. Users should review the presentation’s Revision Number at the

end of each file name to ensure that they have the most current publication.

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Compass

• There are two major types of compass used for navigation:– Lensatic– Orienteering

• The compass most used in SAR is the orienteering

• Regardless of type, make sure your compass azimuth ring will read a maximum or 2 degree graduations

• Make sure the compass has a dampening system to help the needle settle faster

• Have a means to secure it so it won’t get lost

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Orienteering Compass

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Follow a Directionwith an Orienteering

Compass

Set your compass to the azimuth you want (for instance 20 degrees) at the index line.

Turn your body holding the compass steady until the red end of the needle is over “N” (North) on the dial. This is called “boxing” or “centering” the needle.

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Determine a Bearingwith an Orienteering

Compass

• Select a landmark and hold the compass level and point the direction of travel arrow at the landmark.

• Turn the compass dial until the “N” aligns with the red end of the needle. Read the heading at the index line. This is the “azimuth” or “bearing”

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Lensatic Compass

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Centerhold Technique

Preferred Method

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Compass-to-CheekTechnique

The centerhold technique is

considered faster and easier. It can

be used in all conditions of

visibility, over any type of terrain, and helmets and eye

glasses do not have to be removed.

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LensaticCompass Use

Different models may vary in details1. Hold the compass level in the palm of your hand

2. Rotate it until the desired azimuth falls under the fixed black index line

3. Turn the bezel ring until the luminous line is aligned with the north-seeking arrow. Once the alignment is obtained, the compass is preset.

4. To follow the azimuth, use the centerhold technique and turn your body until the north-seeking arrow is aligned with the luminous line.

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Lensatic Compass(Continued)

To measure an azimuth, turn your entire body toward the object, pointing the compass cover directly at the object. Once you are pointing at the object, simply look down and read the azimuth from beneath the fixed black index line. You can even use this method at night.

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When usingany compass

• The arrow of a compass is also affected by metal- a van, knife, or even power lines can affect the use of your compass

Safe Distances:

High tension power lines: 55 meters

Vehicle: 10 meters

Steel helmet: ½ meter

Telephone wires or fence: 10 meters

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Compass Circle

• Azimuths (bearings) are given in degrees in a clockwise direction

• Since there are 360 degrees in a circle- an azimuth can be any number up to 360

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2 Norths?

3 Norths?

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Sometimes the G-M is

so small you may not have to

worry about it.

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Pace Count

• The number of paces it takes you to cover 100 meters

• Pace can be affected by a number of factors– Visibility. Poor visibility, such as in fog, rain, or

darkness, will shorten your pace.– Clothing. Excess clothing and boots with poor

traction affect the pace length.– Surfaces. Sand, gravel, mud, snow, and similar

surface materials tend to shorten the pace.

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Pace Count(Continued)

– Slopes. Your pace lengthens on a downslope and shortens on an upgrade. Keeping this in mind, if it normally takes you 120 paces to walk 100 meters, your pace count may increase to 130 or more when walking up a slope.

– Winds. A head wind shortens the pace and a tail wind increases it.

– Elements. Falling snow, rain, or ice cause the pace to be reduced in length.

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Pace Count(Continued)

• Determining Pace Count– Walk a MEASURED 100 meter

course and record your pace count

– Count only your left or right step- not both

– Walk the Return of that 100 meter course and record your pace count

– Add the two together, and divide the sum by two to get your average pace count on that terrain

Work the Math

1st Leg121

Return Leg 119

Sum 240 / 2

Average Pace

100 Meters120

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Pace Count(Continued)

• Calculating a distance to travel is simply a matter of basic math– For example, to walk 250 meters using the previous

pace count of 120 paces takes 300 paces

120 paces (100 meters)

120 paces (100 meters)

+ 60 paces (50 meters is 1/2 of 100 meters)

300 paces (250 meters)

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Pace Count(Continued)

The big problem in pacing is to maintain a straight line. At night, the average person tends to walk in a circle

In daylight, you should use a compass and steering points (well defined objects in your line of travel) towards which you can steer

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Pace Count(Continued)

• Keep track of the paces you have walked in the field. It is too easy to forget and be off course. Try using some of the following. For every 100 meters try– Move a bead on your pace counter– Place a mark in a notebook– Tie a knot in a string– Put a pebble in your pocket

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• Suppose you want to pace off one kilometer (one kilometer is 1000 meters).

Pace Count(Continued)

–Put ten pebbles in your right pocket–When you go 100 meters, move one pebble to your

left pocket–When all ten pebbles are in your left pocket- you

have gone one kilometer.

Of course you could tie knots in a string- one for every 100 meters until you got ten also.

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Steering Points

• It is difficult to follow a straight line using only a compass because of a tendency to drift while walking

• It is best to pick out objects in the line of your azimuth and use themas steering points

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Steering Points(Continued)

Pick out a distinctive tree, bush, rock, land feature, etc. that is in line with your travel azimuth

Walk to that point (remember your pace count) and shoot your azimuth and find another steering point

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Steering Points(Continued)

Continue following your steering points until you reach your location.

Pay close attention and mark your position and record your pace count at each stop in the event you have to go back.

Be careful- distinctive features from a distance may be difficult to find as you move toward them.

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Steering Points(Continued)

• If there are no steering points or it is night– In a team situation, put one person ahead where

he/she may still communicate by voice or hand signal with the navigator.

– The navigator will shoot an azimuth and line up the person on point by directing them left or right until they mark the azimuth path

– Travel to the point person and repeat the process

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Navigating Past an Obstacle

• Basically make a box around the obstacle

• Accuracy counts, especially around larger obstacles

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Bas

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uth

Bas

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Bas

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Turn 90deg. right

Turn 90deg. right

Turn 90deg. left

Turn 90deg. left

Rec

ord

base

pace

cou

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Con

tinue

bas

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& r

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Con

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bas

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Start offsetpace count

Travel back thesame as offsetpace count

OBSTACLE

& r

ecor

d

& record

& r

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d

Only figure your straight line distance when walking around an obstacle.

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QUESTIONS?

ALWAYS THINK SAFETY!