Rules for using the compass. How to use a compass: structure, types, application Instructions for using a compass

Progressive digital technologies have greatly simplified not only specialists, but also ordinary people, any kind of orientation, giving humanity GLONASS and GPS satellite navigation. But the skills of how to properly use a compass, this long-time reliable companion of any traveler, still remain useful.

The relevance of a conventional magnetic compass is simply explained - it does not require power or recharging, access to a cellular network or the Internet. This device works in a deep forest or in the steppe, in extreme conditions or when the battery of a smartphone runs out - you just need to figure out how to follow the compass.

The desired area and the path to it are marked on the map, and the movement is checked using a compass, calculating the azimuth, which is the angle between the route to the selected object and the northern geographical direction, if we are talking about the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, azimuth is related to the direction to the south pole.

How does a magnetic compass work?

The device with a magnetized needle, which turns strictly along the lines of force of the planet, shrouded in a magnetic field, is already more than a thousand years old - its creation is included in the list of four great Chinese discoveries, along with gunpowder, paper and printing on fabric. It has undergone improvements and acquired more modern narrow varieties, but the principle of operation has remained unchanged - geographic orientation using a compass is carried out according to a single algorithm.

A classic magnetic compass is a compact round device housed in a metal or plastic body.
Under the transparent top cover there is a flat dial (dial), where angular degrees are marked, increasing clockwise. There may be a different number of divisions, depending on the model, but there is always a full coverage of the circle measurement - 360º.
Opposite 0º is the north with the international designation N (north) or Russian - S (north). Opposite 180º - south with the designation S (south) or Yu (south). Opposite 90º - east with the designation E (east) or B (east). Opposite 270º - west with the designation W (west) or W (west).
In the center of the dial, a double-sided magnetic arrow is strung on a needle, one half of which is usually painted red or specially marked - it is the one that always points with its tip to where the side of the north magnetic pole is.
When not in use, the arrow is held in place by a lock - a mechanical lever that acts as a stopper. If you release it, the arrow will immediately turn with its marked tail to the north.
In the famous Adrianov model there is an outer ring that goes around the body - by rotating it you can move and install the sight in the form of a front sight with a rear sight to fix the direction to a landmark.
Many of today's touring models have an additional, manually rotated arrow that visually marks the direction of the desired route, and may also have a ruler for working with a map. Models with a rotating dial are also available.

Note! For correct direction, the device must be in a horizontal position.

How to use a magnetic compass

The instructions for a standard travel device describe in detail how to use the compass, but this description is not always at hand. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to explain the basics of working with the device.

Having positioned the device body strictly horizontally, you need to release the magnetic needle and wait until its swinging stops.
Now you need to carefully align the tip of the arrow with the designation of north, that is, with the letter N or Russian S.
To do this, you need to either rotate the device itself, if the dial in it is statically fixed, or rotate the movable dial until the letter and the tip of the arrow coincide.
The tail of the magnetic needle, marked in red or specially highlighted, always turns to the north by itself, and when the designation of north on the dial is combined with the arrow, this will correspond to the correct indication of the cardinal directions.
Directly along the arrow is north, on the opposite side is south, to the right is east, to the left is west, indicated by the corresponding letters.

Note! Near accumulations of metal (for example, railway tracks), under power lines, in an area of magnetic anomalies, at high altitudes in the mountains, the magnetic compass makes significant errors! Therefore, you need to move 0.3 - 1 km and repeat the orientation.

Now you can leave an unfamiliar area if you know where to go. In this case, calculating the azimuth will help.

How to find azimuth using a compass

A beginner’s desire to learn how to use a compass is not a guarantee of successful orienteering. It is imperative to master the calculation of azimuth so as not to get lost. This is not difficult, but it will come in handy in extreme or critical conditions. And hunters, mushroom pickers and tourists who prefer hiking absolutely need to know.

Azimuth is the angle in degrees between north (0º) and the selected object (on a map or on the ground), always counted clockwise. That is, if the desired point is deviated from the north towards the west (counterclockwise) by only 1º, its azimuth will be equal to 359º.

The net direction azimuth to the northeast is 45º, to the east - 90º, to the southeast - 135º, to the south - 180º, to the southwest - 225º, to the west - 270º and to the northwest - 315º. But the desired object may deviate, so you will have to learn to determine the exact azimuth.

First, the device is given a horizontal position and the magnetic needle is released.
After it has assumed a stable position, the tip of the arrow is aligned with the north symbol N or C (by rotating the case or dial).
Next, the direction to the object of interest is indicated - either on the map or in nature.
All that remains is to calculate the angle between the north mark and the mark pointing to the object, clockwise.

The resulting value in degrees is the azimuth, following which it is impossible to lose an unfamiliar object and go astray.

In a completely unfamiliar area, this can be any orienting object that rises above the others or stands out in some way - the direction found will allow you to reach it. Having reached it using the obtained azimuth, you need to select the next one to continue the path and repeat the calculations.

Note! You should return along the reverse azimuth, which is the opposite of that calculated on the dial. To do this, lay a straight line between the found angle and the center of the limb - the opposite value will be the reverse azimuth.

How to navigate with a compass and map

When traveling far from civilization, the most useful skills are how to navigate using a compass and map, since such a route will take into account all possible deviations. Responsible tourists always study the intended route on the map at the beginning of the journey, calculate forward and reverse azimuth, recording the data.

For such calculations, you need a map of the area, a compass, a ruler and a pencil.

Spread the map horizontally, mark with a pencil all the points of the planned route and its end point.
Place the compass on the map and release the arrow.
Align the arrow on the compass with the north symbol on the dial.
Now rotate the map until its north indication matches the compass.
Applying a ruler so that its line coincides with the middle of the dial and the first point of the route drawn on the map, calculate the angle in degrees between north and the ruler. Record the value for this leg of the path. Immediately find the return azimuth and write it down.
Do this with all designated points along the route until the final one, writing down the values of each section of the route.
Move along the way, checking your compass.
Return in reverse azimuth.

With such calculations, you don’t have to worry about getting lost at all - the compass will lead you exactly to the planned point and return you back.

How to learn to easily use a compass without a map

There are also simplified options for orienting using a compass without any calculations, and even without a map. For example, a mushroom picker or hunter who knows how to use this device in the forest will calmly wander through the thickets without worrying about the route and returning home. And although without reference to a map, calculations will only be approximate, a compass will provide invaluable assistance in moving through unfamiliar terrain.

The cardinal directions are taken as the basis for the landmark, and the starting point is the beginning of the path from some significant object of great length - a highway, a field, a river, a railway track.
Before starting the path, you need to stand facing the object and with your back to the beginning of the route.
Find a direction using the compass, for example, southeast. This will be the direction in which you need to return.
The forward movement will be in the opposite direction - in our example it is northwest.

That is, in the above example, while walking through the forest, all you have to do is check the compass readings from time to time and move northwest, and as soon as you want to return, go southeast. It is unlikely that the exit will coincide with the starting point, but the correctly chosen direction will always lead to the area of the desired area.

Important! Don't forget to check the reliability of the compass! Magnetic compasses often malfunction due to demagnetization of the needle. Before setting off on a long and dangerous journey, check the viability of the device by bringing any metal object closer to it with the arrow released from the brake. If the arrow reacts, then you can take the device with you. But it’s better to check with another compass so that their arrows match in direction.

Technological progress has abundantly provided modern travelers with the means of orientation on the ground. All kinds of navigators, transmitters and other geolocation devices practically eliminate not only the possibility, but even the hypothetical possibility of getting lost. Of course, there are still unexplored corners and brave pioneers left on the planet, but in most cases, forays into nature are limited to walking through the Crimean forests. Moreover, avid mushroom pickers, fishermen and hunters sometimes go deeper into the wilds. But even they can have enough of electronic devices in their heads.

And only one drawback prevents them from forever replacing traditional orienteering techniques: all new devices require power. Whereas the good old compass will not run out of charge and will not fail either in the forest or in the desert. In addition, it is very inexpensive (standard models), weighs little and takes up a lot of space in a backpack or pocket. In general, an ideal device for anyone who does not want to get lost on a hike. It is not at all necessary to abandon the achievements of modern technology, but it does not hurt to have a compass as a safety net. And for this you need to first learn how to use it.

Design and features of the compass
The first compasses were used by the Chinese in the 20th century AD, and since then this device has undergone many changes and improvements; marine and electronic compasses were created. But in a general sense, the concept of “compass” still means a structure consisting of a round base with markings, in the center of which there is a magnetic needle with two ends pointing to the North Magnetic and South Magnetic Poles of the Earth. If you place such a compass on a flat horizontal surface, the needle will align with the magnetic field line.

One has only to move the compass, turn it against its axis, and the needle will begin to move and again take a position pointing to the magnetic poles. Thus, the owner of the compass always knows in which direction they are from him, and this is the kind of compass that everyone who at least occasionally finds themselves in the forest should acquire. If you already have a compass, but haven’t used it for a long time, it won’t hurt to check its serviceability. To do this, follow these steps:

Place the compass on a table or floor - a flat surface without slope. Wait until the arrow stops and freezes. Remember its position.
Take any iron object (needle, scissors, steel spoon) and bring it to the compass. When a metal object approaches, the arrow will move.
Quickly remove the object from the compass and take it further away. Look at the arrow: in a working compass, it will take the same position as at the beginning of the experiment. If the direction has changed, the compass will have to be thrown away; it is broken and cannot be used.

When buying a new compass, do not chase additional functions that make the device heavier and increase the likelihood of breakdown (the more complex the system, the more vulnerable it is), choose a standard travel compass. But keep in mind that even a working magnetic device with a well-magnetized needle will produce an error if used near an electrical substation or railway.

Orientation by compass in the forest
So, the compass has been checked, along with everything you need, it is packed in a backpack, and you go hiking/hunting/fishing. Experienced tourists are aware of all the intricacies of handling physical equipment, and for beginners we provide a detailed guide to action:
As you can see, learning to use a compass in the forest is not difficult, especially if you have at least a basic understanding of physics and geography. But even the most intelligent people can make mistakes, the most common of which is turning the compass instead of turning itself. Such actions will only complicate your task, and you will still have to turn your body around to clarify the instrument readings.

It is incorrect, and even dangerous, to try to navigate the terrain using a tilted compass. Its needle always tries to take a position along the magnetic lines of the planet, but if you do not hold the compass horizontally, then it cannot rotate freely and even risks getting stuck. And, since the blue compass needle points to the magnetic, not the geographic pole of the Earth, this should be taken into account when using the compass simultaneously with a map of the area. As well as the fact that iron ore deposits and large industrial facilities can affect the operation of the device.

In such “anomalous” zones, the compass may behave in the most unexpected way, and the needle may begin to rotate chaotically. In this case, do not panic, but move away some distance and try to navigate using the compass again. And make sure that you do not hold metal objects (a knife or a flashlight) in your hand that will throw the arrow off the right direction. These basic rules will help you not get lost in the forest and find your way back using a simple magnetic compass.

How to use a compass

It is not so difficult to lose your bearings among the rubble of dead trees, in a forest thicket overgrown with dense bushes, where to an unaccustomed eye everything seems like a monotonous green chaos and it is difficult to distinguish noticeable folds of the terrain and the dissimilarity of the situation. Both beginners and experienced taiga dwellers have gone astray.

In such cases, a person begins to sort through in his mind various ways of orienting himself on the ground. He also remembers how ants build their homes in relation to the countries of the world, and where the resin on the bark appears more abundantly, and on which side the trees are densely covered with moss. However, hand on heart, it must be said that even a very good knowledge of all these romantic signs will not replace a compass.

Most of us first become acquainted with this wonderful device at school. Designed back in the 19th century by the Russian military topographer Pyotr Adrianov, it has survived to this day almost unchanged. It was once made of brass, but now it has been replaced by plastic. Such a compass can be found in almost any sports store. Despite its advanced age and some old-fashionedness, Adrianov's compass is still used by many travelers.

The dial of this compass has -120 divisions, that is, one division corresponds to three degrees. A long stroke covered with a luminous composition is the beginning of the division count. Every fifteen degrees there is a triangle on the dial and numbers printed above it - the number of degrees from zero. In addition, there are three glow-in-the-dark dots and letters underneath them, corresponding to the sides of the horizon (E, S, 3). The sighting ring has two plastic protrusions - an eye and a front sight, under which, on the inside of the ring, under the glass, there are two triangular protrusions covered with photomass. The northern end of the arrow is also covered with a glow-in-the-dark compound. The arrow rests on the needle and rotates on it.

To reduce the friction of the needle on the needle and increase the accuracy of the compass, a small crystal stone with a small recess for the needle is embedded in the center of the needle. The arrow is fixed with a clamp - a springy metal plate bent in half. If you pull it out through a slot in the case, the ends of the plate are pressed in, the arrow is released - the compass is ready for use. When the clamp is pushed inside the compass, its ends straighten and press the arrow to the glass.

However, Adrianov's compass has been significantly replaced by modern liquid compasses. Working with them is much easier and more convenient. The needle of such a compass is located in a flat-cylindrical flask with a special liquid (anti-static liquid), which allows the compass needle to be set in the north direction within a few seconds (in some models less than a second).

Currently, the Russian market offers compasses from such companies as the Swedish Silva, the Finnish Suunto and the domestic Moscompass. Their technical characteristics are approximately the same, but the prices for Moscompass products are much lower.

The needle in modern compasses is made of plastic, and a powerful magnet is placed in its center. This is done in order to reduce the time required to set the needle and increase the accuracy of the compass. The northern end of the arrow is usually painted red, the southern end can be white, green, or black. The fluorescent coating makes it possible to work with the compass at night. The dial has a more accurate division scale (up to two degrees) than that of Adrianov's compass. Guide lines are applied at the bottom of the transparent flask, which help to orient the map and accurately set the azimuth.

Manufacturers, based mainly on the needs of orienteering, have concentrated their efforts on reducing the time it takes to set the arrow in the north direction (we are talking about fractions of a second) and its stable position even while running, which is crucial in sports, but not so much important when traveling. Therefore, most compass models are intended primarily for orienteering and have a very simplified design with a very limited set of functions.

Several years ago, the East German-made Sport-4 compass was very popular among Russian travelers. This is one of the most versatile compasses sold in Russia. The base of this compass was equipped with a ruler for a scale of 1:15000, a millimeter ruler, a magnifying glass for three and a half times magnification, a double luminous mark for indicating directions, and lines for orienting the compass. At the bottom of the compass bulb there were also guide lines and a double luminous stroke to mark the direction to the north. Now “Sport-4” is not sold in our stores, but when choosing a compass for travel, you need to look for something similar.

Of the compasses that are sometimes used on expeditions, we should also mention the geological and artillery ones.

A geological compass is designed primarily to measure the angles and directions of falling rocks. In this case, the compass has to be oriented not at some object, but at itself. It is more convenient to do this if you swap east and west on the compass dial. This is exactly how the limb of the geological compass is designed - this must be kept in mind when determining the sides of the horizon. To make it more convenient to navigate the terrain, a mirror with a special thread is inserted into the compass. In addition, the geological compass is equipped with a protractor for determining the angles of incidence of layers and a lock for the arrows, which secures them in a certain position. One of the sides of the compass can serve as a ruler - it has centimeter and millimeter divisions. A level is built into the case - an ampoule with a drop of liquid, which allows you to use the device while suspended or on uneven terrain, while maintaining confidence that the compass is located strictly parallel to the earth's surface and the measurements are correct.

The artillery compass has a division value of one hundred thousandths and is graduated clockwise. It is designed in such a way that its sighting device remains stationary, while the scale can rotate. This makes it possible, without changing the position of the compass, to quickly combine the zero division of the dial with the northern end of the magnetic needle, without knocking it down. The device is equipped with a hinged lid with a mirror, which allows you to control the position of the compass and take a reading on the scale when sighting an object.

Methods for determining magnetic azimuth using different compasses have some features.

Thus, Adrianov’s compass and similar compasses are raised with the magnetic needle freed to a height of 10-12 centimeters below eye level, the zero stroke of the compass is placed under its northern end, then with the other hand, without disturbing the position of the arrow and the body, the lid with the hairline is turned in the direction on the subject. Accurate alignment of these directions is achieved by repeatedly moving the gaze from the sighting line to the object and back. In this case, there is no need to raise the compass to eye level, since in this case its orientation will be lost and the likelihood of error will increase. Magnetic azimuth can be measured using Adrianov's compass with an accuracy of two to three degrees.

The accuracy of determining magnetic azimuth using a compass with a mirror cover is slightly higher. In this case, the compass with the mirror tilted 45 degrees rises to eye level; along the sighting line passing through the center of the compass and the slot in the base of the mirror cover, the device is directed to the target. Then the zero mark of the compass is aligned with the northern end of the arrow, and the angle on the dial is measured against the hairline at the base of the cover.

The cover mirror allows you to control the orientation of the compass.

To find the direction along the specified azimuth, all operations are performed in reverse order.

So, Adrianov’s compass is oriented and roughly determines the direction on the ground; then, turning in that direction and holding the compass at a level of 10-12 centimeters below eye level, they accurately orient it and sight the established magnetic azimuth on the ground. In order not to get lost, some clearly visible landmark is marked on the line of sight.

A compass equipped with a mirror is held at eye level and maneuvered, looking into the mirror, until the northern end of the arrow is at the zero point of the dial. Then a landmark is noticed on the line of sight, the direction towards which will be the direction of the magnetic azimuth set on the limb.

The dial of some imported compasses is divided not into 360°, but into 32 nautical points. In such compasses, the main directions are designated as follows - North - North (I), South - South (S), East - East (0), West - West (W). Quarter directions correspond to combinations of two letters, for example, northwest - north-west (NW) or south-east - south-east (SO). Intermediate directions between the main and quarter directions are designated by three letters - east-southeast - east-south-east (0S0).

Whatever the design of the compass, it must be protected from impacts (especially liquid ones, the body of which is plate-shaped and therefore quite fragile). It is better not to carry the compass in outer pockets or on your hand, where it can easily be broken, but tie it with a cord and put it around your neck, putting it in an inner pocket or in your bosom. The proximity of large steel objects - saws, axes, knives - is unsafe for the compass.

The most important part of any compass is the magnetic needle. For rough orientation on the ground, one is enough. Therefore, in all cases when the compass is broken, its case and scale are broken, it is necessary to preserve the needle.

The easiest way is to hang the arrow on some untwisted thread and wait for it to settle along the north-south line. You can put the arrow on a needle, a dry fish bone, or a sharp sliver. However, using such a device is not very convenient; it is difficult to determine the degree reading, and the needle will react to the slightest breath of wind.

Therefore, it is better to cut out the body of an improvised compass from a piece of wood, into which to stick a needle with the eye down and put an arrow on it. A piece of plastic film stretched over the body will act as protective glass. In this case, the arrow should be positioned so that the film does not allow it to jump off the needle and at the same time does not slow down the movement of the arrow - that is, exactly as it is provided for in a real compass. The fixing clamp can be a thread stretched over polyethylene and a piece of bark placed under it, resting on the middle of the arrow.

In cases where the compass has been damaged so significantly that even the needle cannot be used, or when it is completely lost, you can try to determine the cardinal directions by magnetizing a steel needle, pin or razor blade.

Of course, it would be nice to magnetize all the needles or pins before leaving the house, check them with a compass and mark the north end with paint. However, such exceptional forethought is extremely rare. Therefore, you will have to magnetize the needles when the situation requires. To do this, just stick them for 30-40 minutes to a magnet that is in the receiver's speaker or headphones. You can magnetize a needle by wrapping a wire around it, the ends of which must be connected to the terminals of batteries or an accumulator. Moreover, the more turns wound on the needle, the better. If the wire is deprived of insulation, then the needle must first be wrapped in some insulating material. It will take at least ten minutes to magnetize the needle. The end of the needle that was at the negative terminal of the battery will correspond to the north end of the compass needle.

A steel needle is also magnetized if you rub it in one direction on silk fabric for some time, and a razor blade, in addition to all the above methods, you can try to magnetize it by gentle friction against your palm. However, both of these methods give a very small magnetization, which does not last long, and objects magnetized in this way are able to indicate the direction to the north only when suspended on a thread.

The magnetized needle should be lightly rubbed on your hair or fingers and gently placed on the surface of the water. As a rule, small sewing needles do not sink and gradually turn in the north-south direction. More massive needles need to be stuck into a piece of bark, foam plastic, or passed through a straw, or placed on a small sheet of paper or plant.

When making such a “water” compass, you need to remember that the water container must be made of non-magnetic materials. Otherwise, all arrow readings will be completely distorted.

For some reason, society believes that only men become fishermen, mushroom pickers, berry pickers and simply lovers of long journeys. What kind of inequality is this!? Are we ladies somehow worse or weaker? Or don’t we want to escape from all these pots and pans, washing machines and irons, and mother-in-law’s moralizing for at least a couple of days? That’s it, it’s decided, we’ll go camping on our next vacation. You just need to remember how to use a compass correctly, or learn it again, and off you go. Well, let's get to it!

Why do you need a compass, and what does it consist of?

Of course, in order not to get lost on a hike, we were told about this at school. If anyone has forgotten, our magnetic guide consists of a flask, a red and blue magnetic needle put on a pin and a brake - a lever that fixes the needle. The top of the flask is covered with glass, and along the very edge of the circle of the top wall of the flask there are numbers indicating the degree of deviation. It is also called azimuth.

The Russian letter “S”, or the English “n”, or the number zero on the compass, where the blue arrow points - this is north. And the place with the Russian letter “Yu”, the English “z”, or the number 180, where the red compass arrow points, is south. Accordingly, a line drawn perpendicularly will point west on the left and east on the right. That's the whole trick regarding the composition and direction of the compass arrows, now let's move on to the practical lesson, that is, to orienteering.

How to learn to use a compass correctly?

First of all, while still at home, you should check the compass for functionality. It's done like this. Place the device on a flat surface, wait until its hands stop oscillating, and note the fixation number. Then bring something metal to the side wall of the flask to set the arrows in motion again. As soon as this happens, quickly remove the iron object and wait until the hands lock again. If the number pointed to by the arrows in both the first and second cases is the same, then you can go on a hike. If there is even the slightest discrepancy between the first and second fixation of the arrows, go to the store for a new compass.

Let's assume that our compass is working and we go to a familiar forest park or grove. You should not choose an unfamiliar area for your first training, so as not to be disappointed and give up everything without starting. After all, you don’t want to get lost and live with a persistent aversion to hiking for the rest of your life?

So, firstly, as experienced travelers say, we need to “get attached” to the starting point. And this point should be very extensive and recognizable. For example, a highway, a large river, a power line, a long clearing. This way you can always easily return back, even if you deviate slightly from the original route.

Let's assume that the selected anchor point is a highway. Move slightly, a few steps away from it in the direction you planned to go, and turn to face the highway. Moreover, stand so that the desired path and the highway are approximately perpendicular to each other. Now slowly turn the device until the direction of the compass needles coincides with the north-south direction. Attention, the compass should be held strictly horizontally so that the arrows do not cling to the bottom or glass of the bulb. To be sure, you can put it on a stump or directly on the ground.

Next, take a ruler, or a pencil, or a straight stick lying around and draw a straight line through the center of the compass in the direction of your return, that is, towards the highway, and remember the number that the end of the stick or ruler points to. This will be the direction in which you return home. And the number that the end of the stick opposite to the return one points to will be the route you follow stick, going deeper into the forest. Don’t forget, the countdown starts from zero or the letter “c” clockwise. And where the red compass needle points is south and the number 180.

After walking through the forest and going back, take the compass so that the line drawn through the center of the device and the return number points straight ahead. Imagine that this direction starts from the center of your body, and hits the distance with an endless straight beam. Once you have found this position, slowly rotate around your axis until the blue arrow points to the number 0 or the letter “c”. As soon as this happens, know that you are facing the direction you need to go.

That’s all the wisdom on how to learn how to use a compass correctly, good luck to you and good impressions from your hike.

Today, not every tourist knows how to use a compass. But in vain! Despite the fact that GPS navigators are understandable, practical and convenient, they have a significant disadvantage: dependence on an energy source. Those. if the battery is discharged, damaged, or the navigator for some reason no longer determines your location, you can only rely on external landmarks (moss, stars, etc.). But it is much better to have with you such an irreplaceable and fairly reliable thing as a compass.

But for someone who does not know how to navigate with a compass, this tool will be useless (unless you are going to start a fire using glass). Therefore, we will provide brief and understandable instructions on how to navigate the terrain using a compass.

Types of tourist compasses

To begin with, let's figure out what types of tourist compasses there are.

First of all, let’s remember the old and well-known Adrianov’s compass from the Soviet era. By the way, Adrianov is a Russian military cartographer who, in fact, designed an illuminated compass (phosphorus-based) back in 1907.

The advantages of this instrument are that the arrow indicator, the cardinal direction, and the front sight indicator are illuminated in the dark. In addition, it is quite reliable and is very popular among tourists in post-Soviet countries. The downside to using it is that the magnetic needle is unstable when moving.

There is also an opinion that some compasses of this type are radioactive. This applies to old compasses that used radioactive elements for illumination.

In orienteering (we hold similar events as part of one- and two-day hikes, follow the link so as not to miss) liquid compasses are the most popular. Due to the fact that its internal volume is filled with liquid (kerosene, etc.), the arrow does not fluctuate when walking or running. This is quite convenient when you need to quickly navigate and reach objects.

Tablet compasses are also popular among tourists. They are convenient because they have a ruler with a pointer and a magnifying glass. This helps you navigate the map more accurately.

In addition, you can select a keychain compass, wrist compasses, and a finger compass.

But the most important thing when choosing this item, in addition to its visual appeal and ease of use, is to make sure of its functional suitability and serviceability.

Since the market is oversaturated with goods from China, it is necessary to check the compass as follows before purchasing. First, we check whether the direction of the magnetic needle corresponds to geographic north. If everything is in order with this, we bring a metal object, for example, a knife, to the compass. The arrow should deviate from its original position. Then we take the item. After this, the arrow should return to its original position without visible deviations.

All tourist compasses use the property of a magnetized needle to be located along the magnetic lines of force of the Earth. At the same time, for ultra-precise orientation (for example, on ships), an allowance is made for the fact that the Earth’s magnetic lines do not completely coincide with the geographic meridians. And accordingly, the angle between the geographic and magnetic meridians is calculated.

How to use a compass?

First, let's look at the basic terms associated with compass navigation.

Components of Adrianov's compass:

Frame;
Rotating sight ring;
Magnetic needle;
Brake arrows;
Scale with degrees (dial);
Front sight sight;
Visor count indicator;
Zero scale division (north);
Rear sight.

Surely, you have heard the concept of azimuth more than once. Let's figure out what it is.

Azimuth (when oriented by compass) is the angle between the compass needle pointer oriented north (combined with the zero scale division) and the direction to some distant object.

The azimuth is measured exclusively clockwise (see picture above).

Now let's move directly to detailed instructions on how to use the compass.

How to navigate with a compass?

So, we have a compass, a map of the area and a certain object on the map that we need to get to. How to use a compass and map correctly to achieve a given goal?

Remove the arrow lock. We wait until the arrow stops and the pointer shows the direction to the north. At the same time, keep the compass in a horizontal position away from metal objects. The top of the map is always oriented north (left - west, right - east, bottom - south).

To determine the azimuth, we need to combine the north of the compass with the north of the map. We ourselves also face north. The center of the compass must be aligned with our location on the map.

In order to determine your location on the map, you need to navigate by objects that are in your visibility zone. The ability to read a map will help with this: take into account the terrain (elevations, lowlands), rivers, trails and roads. For example, in front of us is a river or a road, a section that is directed to the north. We are looking for where such areas are on the map. Or we see a mountain in the distance at a certain angle to the north (azimuth). We find, when moving the compass across the map, at what point the angle will correspond to what we see.

After we have determined our location, we select the goal that we need to achieve. Again we combine the north of the map with the north of the compass. We combine the direction indicator on the compass (the pointer's reference point) with the direction to the object on the map. We rotate until the direction of the magnetic needle coincides with the north on the flask. Now you can start moving along the pointer on the compass, making sure that the north of the arrow is constantly aligned with the north on the bulb. Moving in a given direction, we will reach the required object.

Orientation by compass without a map

Now suppose we went into the forest to pick mushrooms without a map, but we took a compass with us (so as not to leave crumbs along the way that birds could eat).

In order not to get lost, you need to choose a clear, extended object that will serve as a guide for you. For example, it could be a road or a river. So, we are standing on the road. From it we go into the forest along an approximately perpendicular line. Having moved away a little, but leaving the road in sight, we turn to face it. We take out the compass and bring it into active state. We turn it until the arrow pointer coincides with the zero scale. Next, in the center of the compass we draw an imaginary line to our object (road). We fix the azimuth of our return. The opposite side of the line (front sight indicator) will show us the direction of movement into the forest. When moving deeper into the forest, it is advisable to periodically check whether we have deviated too much from the given direction.

To apply the acquired knowledge in practice, take a compass with you on a hike to Baikal or, if you decide to go with us to Kyrgyzstan, on a mountain hike Hiking in Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul.

You can create a whole chain of objects for orientation by fixing azimuth values.

If you decide to return to a given object, take the compass so that the line (front sight pointer) points forward. Next, we turn around with the compass so that the north of the arrow coincides with the north of the scale. Now you can move in the direction where your gaze is directed.

In addition to the compass, there are other common ways to navigate the terrain. Let us highlight among them the observation of the Sun and the North Star. How to navigate by the stars? Find the North Star (in the constellation Ursa Minor) - it is always located in the north. If you need to determine the cardinal directions by the Sun, you need to observe where it rises and where it sets. Accordingly, sunrise is east and sunset is west.

More information about compasses can be found in the video:

Now you know how to properly use a compass and navigate the area, which means you will not only not get lost, but will also help others get out of the forest.

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