Land Navigation for Ground Team Members Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

Orienteering Compass Orienteering compasses tend to be popular for hikers, mainly because they are fairly cheap and easy to use.

Lensatic Compass

Centerhold Technique

Compass-to-Cheek Technique

Pace Count The number of paces it takes you to cover 100 meters Varies depending on a variety of things Slopes Weather Conditions or Elements, including visibility Surfaces Clothing and Equipment

Pace Count Continued Determining Pace Count Work the Math Walk a MEASURED 100 meter course and record your pace count 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 Leg 121 Return Leg 119 Sum 240 / 2 Average Pace 100 Meters 120

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) + 60 paces (50 meters is 1/2 of 100 meters) 300 paces (250 meters)

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

Navigating Past An Obstacle Basically makes a box around the obstacle Accuracy counts, especially around larger obstacles A graphical presentation is made of this on the next slide

Land Navigation Tasks for Ground Team Members O-0201: Use a Compass O-0202: Measure Distance with Pace Count O-0203: Navigate Past an Obstacle