1. Welcome to Basic Orienteering
Orienteering is finding your way, at speed, from control point to control point. Across any terrain!
To find out how to navigate this CD click below, otherwise click NEXT to continue.
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2. Basic Orienteering Skills
Within this CD you’ll find an introduction to:
The compass and map
How to pace to judge distance
Techniques to help you
Important safety advice
Ready for classroom and practical lessons.
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3. The Overall Aim
“ By using a range of techniques you will be safe, successful and competitive ”

4. Objectives
To understand:
Pacing
Compass
The map
The techniques
Safety

5. Menu Please select from the following: Study entire CD Jump to pacing
Jump to compass work
Jump to the map
Jump to Techniques
Jump to self assessment

6. How to use this CD ?? ( Page 1 of 2 )
To navigate this CD:
Return to the menu
Next page
Restart current section
Back a page

7. How to use this CD ?? ( Page 2 of 2 )
To make a choice within this CD:
Use this button to make a selection or submit an answer
Now lets start. Click the ‘Next page’ button….

8. Safety First !! (Page 1 of 6) ---- Safety comes first ----
Whether training
or competing
Orienteering is an individual sport therefore
---- Safety comes first ----

9. Safety First !! (Page 2 of 6) The Whistle
All orienteers should carry a whistle
At all times….!
Four blasts is the signal that you are in trouble.

10. The day you’re injured will be the day you didn’t !
Safety First !! (Page 3 of 6)
Inform someone
If you go training alone let a friend or family know where you are and when you’ll return.
The day you’re injured will be the day you didn’t !

11. You could learn more and it is a safer, social event.
Safety First !! (Page 4 of 6)
Train in pairs
Where possible orienteer with a friend and take it in turns to navigate.
You could learn more and it is a safer, social event.

12. The other safety precautions should still be followed.
Safety First !! (Page 5 of 6)
Take a mobile phone
In this modern age you could take a mobile phone and call for assistance if necessary.
The other safety precautions should still be followed.

13. Safety First !! (Page 6 of 6) ---- Safety comes first ----
Take a whistle
Inform someone where you’ll be
Train with a partner
Take a mobile phone
Remember
---- Safety comes first ----

14. How can you easily judge distance covered ?
Pacing (Page 1 of 5)
During orienteering you will travel, whether running or walking, over distances from 100 metres (m) up to 1 kilometer (km) which is 1000 m.
How can you easily judge distance covered ?
PACING

15. Pacing (Page 2 of 5) All orienteering maps have a scale.
See if you can identify the scale on this map?
Use the answer buttons.

16. Pacing (Page 3 of 5) Well Done !
This is the ‘scale’ for this map. You can use this and the scale marks on the baseplate of your compass to judge distance from point to point.

17. Pacing (Page 4 of 5)
When you first reach an orienteering course to practice you need to measure a distance of 100m using the map scale and see how many left foot paces it takes to:
>Run?
>Walk?
Now when you go from point to point on the map you can judge how far you have gone therefore know where you are.

18. Here it is about 50m from point 1 to 2.
Pacing (Page 5 of 5)
Here it is about 50m from point 1 to 2.
If you paced 70 steps per 100m then count 35 left foot paces in the right direction and you should be within sight of your flag. 1 2

19. On the next slide you will see what makes up a compass.
The Compass (Page 1 of 5)
During orienteering we rely on the compass to travel in the right direction from point to point.
On the next slide you will see what makes up a compass.

20. The baseplate has the direction arrow and a scale to judge distance.
The Compass (Page 2 of 5)
The baseplate has the direction arrow and a scale to judge distance.
The round rotating ‘bezel’ is used to set our direction of travel from map to real world.
The needle’s red end always points North. Now we can navigate. Move to next page.

21. The Compass (Page 3 of 5)
We line the edge of the compass up with the line on our orienteering course.
We want the black arrow on the baseplate to show us where to go.
FINISH
MAP 3
START 1 2

22. The Compass (Page 4 of 5)
Now we rotate the bezel so its Northing lines line up with those on the map.
Remember red is North.
FINISH 3
START 1 2

23. The Compass (Page 5 of 5)
Now, with the compass off the map, if we physically hold the compass so the bezel Northings line up with the North needle point, the black baseplate arrow will show us the way.

24. The Map (Page 1 of 7)
Here is an example of part of a simple orienteering map.
The maps cover short distances and are full of useful detail.

25. The Map (Page 2 of 7) The map has : Colours Contours Features and a
Legend

26. The Map - Colours (Page 3 of 7)
On each map we have a ‘key’ to the shaded areas.
e.g. This colour represents open land.

27. The Map - Contours (Page 4 of 7)
Each brown line represents ground at the same height.
Between each brown line is 5 metres of climb or descent.
Close lines mean the ground slopes more steeply.
We can use this fact when we look for proof that we know where we are…

28. The Map - Contours (Page 5 of 7)
Which set of contour lines might represent a hill or small valley instead of just sloping ground?

29. The Map - Contours (Page 6 of 7)
Well done!
This could be a hill with slope on all sides.
The challenge is learning to interpret the map against the ground around you.

30. The Map - Features (Page 7 of 7)
The legend shows us the different features that can help us find our way.
Examples:
Areas of water
Buildings

31. The 5 Basic Techniques (Page 1 of 6)
During orienteering we use one or more methods to control our enthusiastic race between control points.
The following techniques should be adopted, as appropriate, alongside pacing and compass work to ensure success.

32. Techniques – Attack points (Page 2 of 6)
By picking features ie boulders, path junctions etc we set up “baby steps” on our way.
In this example we don’t go straight from 1 to 2.
The red line shows how we navigate to the clearing (a), boulders (b), the ridge (c) and on to the stream to find the control point.
These are our chosen attack points. They give us confidence in our position. 1 2 c b a

33. Techniques - Handrails (Page 3 of 6)
Handrails are linear (straight) map features that we can “hold on to” at speed to reach our next control or ‘attack point’.
Examples:
Paths
Streams
Fences

34. Techniques – Traffic lights (Page 4 of 6)
GREEN – Go fast when you are happy with your exact location and know where you’re going.
AMBER – At your last ‘attack point’ before the control point, here you meet a path, slow to a walk/jog and look all around for the flag.
START
RED – If you think you have passed where the flag should be, you’re at a slope you didn’t expect, stop, look around and if necessary go to the last known location. X 1

35. Techniques – Aiming off (Page 5 of 6)
When crossing an area of land to meet e.g. a path junction that we want as an ‘attack point’ we “aim off” to one side.
If we know we have gone to the right of the junction (see example) we can confidently navigate on to it.
If we aim straight for it and miss we won’t know which way to go.

36. Techniques – Catching features (Page 6 of 6)
Finally we use distinct features to “catch” us.
In the example, beyond control 1 is a path. If we came across the path it would be a RED light that we need to go back to a known location.
We have been caught and saved from getting lost. X

37. Self Assessment Test
The following test is for you to identify weaker areas for yourself to review before teacher led instruction:
Select your answer with >
If correct you will move on to the next question.
If incorrect you will have the choice to retry the question or see the answer.

38. Question 1/10
Pacing – When running uphill we count more steps for the same distance because … ?
Our stride lengthens so we travel further.
The undergrowth slows us down.
Our stride shortens so we travel less distance.

39. Question 2/10 Compass – The red part of our compass needle points … ?
Along the Northings on the map.
In the direction of travel.
Towards magnetic North.

40. Question 3/10
Map – Which of these map features, over time, tends to stay the same?
The contours.
The linear (straight line) features.
The vegetation boundaries (edges).

41. Question 4/10
Technique – Following paths or fence lines is which technique ?
Using attack points.
Using handrails.
Aiming off.

42. Question 5/10 Safety – Why carry a whistle, at all times ?
To give 4 blasts in an emergency.
To distract the other runners.
To indicate you’ve started.

43. Question 6/10
Compass – Where would you find the scale for measuring distances ?
On the edge of the compass baseplate.
Around the bezel.
The edge of the needle itself.

44. Question 7/10
Map – How do you know what the coloured areas represent ?
Use the legend.
Look around you when running.
The colours match their real life equivalent.

45. Question 8/10
Technique – Using “traffic lights” how fast are you travelling on AMBER ?
Full speed there’s a way to go.
Walking/jogging and look all around.
You are going back to a known point.

46. Question 9/10
Pacing – It might take you 60 left foot paces to cover 100 metres. How many for 300 ?
120 90
180

47. Question 10/10 Safety – Why carry a mobile phone when orienteering ?
For getting help in an emergency.
There is no need to carry one.
No public phones are provided on courses.

48. Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

49. Thank you for studying Orienteering

50. Objectives To orienteer successfully you know you need to:
Pace yourself
Use the compass
Study the map
Employ the techniques
Always think safety
AND HAVE FUN ………

51. And remember, if lost …. Don’t panic Look around
Distinctive features – linear or hills or buildings
Backtrack if necessary
Have you stopped short ? What have you passed en route
Nearest handrail ? To regroup
Still lost ? Whistle, friend or phone !!

52. Menu Please select from the following: Study entire CD Jump to pacing
Jump to compass work
Jump to the map
Jump to Techniques
Jump to self assessment

53. Pacing - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

54. Contours - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

55. Question 1 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
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56. Answer 1
Well done!
Pacing – Be aware that we step shorter running uphill and through thick vegetation. You will travel a shorter distance.

57. Question 2 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

58. Answer 2
Well done!
The red end of the needle always points to magnetic North.
Now you can orientate the North lines on your map with the red point and orienteer successfully.

59. Question 3 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

60. Answer 3
Well done!
Map – Over time the “lie of the land” will stay the same.
Vegetation grows and changes. Man made features are built and removed.
Awareness of the lands shape is an invaluable skill.

61. Question 4 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

62. Answer 4
Well done!
Technique – Straight line features are “handrails”.
Follow fences, paths etc but remember to use the compass, pacing and the other techniques.
Linear features can change !

63. Question 5 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

64. Answer 5
Well done!
Safety – A whistle is an essential piece of equipment.
If you have an accident or get very lost the whistle blast is more obvious and travels further than shouting.
Remember 4 blasts in an emergency.

65. Question 6 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

66. Answer 6
Well done!
Compass – The scale is found along the edge of ‘most’ compass baseplates.
Measure and pace to be confident of your location.

67. Question 7 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

68. Answer 7
Well done!
Map – The map legend has the landscape colour codes and a key to all features.
Use boundaries and features as attack points or traffic lights.

69. Question 8 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

70. Answer 8 Well done! Technique – Remember AMBER means caution.
You are nearly at your control and should be looking all around for that elusive flag.

71. Question 9 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
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72. Answer 9
Well done!
Pacing – If it takes 60 left foot paces to cover 100m then it will be:
3 x 60 = 180 paces for 300m.

73. Question 10 - Sorry that’s incorrect.
Please click the back button to retry or the next page button to reveal the answer…..

74. Answer 10
Well done!
Safety – When training on your own a mobile phone is another means of summoning aid in an emergency.
As well as a whistle and informing someone where you will be running.