WAvES declination method

WAvES can be used to adjust for magnetic declination. WAvES is a mnemonic meaning West Add vs East Subtract and it will work anywhere whether you’re an area with a West of East declination.
As with everything concerning navigation it will require some practice so next time you’re out in the hills, have a try at adjusting y6our compass for the magnetic declination in your local area.

[@drazenskrinjaric4286]

WAvES...So simple yet so effective and easy to remember! I've heard many mnemonics regarding magnetic declination but this one you just cannot ever forget... Cool one!

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tymekuzarczyk6021]

Thank you. That's something I was looking for. Simple and easy to remember.

[@OnboardG1]

Having just spent the summer taking the readings that define the current OS declinations, it’s nice to see the end result!

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Having spoken to some folk from the BGS & OS quite often I’m always impressed not only be their deep subject knowledge but also by their enthusiasm for the task - even when stood in the rain for hours trying to keep the GNSS dry 😂 Keep it up, we all appreciate it.

[@cypeman8037]

Just catching up on your back catalogue. Always took a map on a walk but didn’t have a clue how to use it in conjunction with a compass, not much good at reading the map to be honest. 😂 Really learning the basics from your tutorials, they’re excellent. I intend going on one of my regular walks, which I know like the back of my hand, and try a bit of compass and map reading. Thanks.

[@tomcreekdevil5967]

Excellent video breaking down declination and applying that to real-life land navigation, i.e. map to compass and compass to map. Ditto cypeman's comment. My takeaway from this channel and its videos is that we all need refreshers AND the same topic explained more than once. Why? Because the brain (mine at least) needs the same topic explained from different perspectives before I reach that "ah ha" moment and I finally get it. Thank you for producing these videos and NEVER feel it's redundant material. Even if you're going over previous material it's helpful to hear it again and the audience has the opportunity to to learn something they either forgot or an aspect of that topic that never quite sunk in. This is the learning approach I took two decades ago in the USCGAux marine navigation. Which I loved!

[@davehumpleby3440]

I've been using maps all over the world for more than 3 decades. This is the first time I've heard the 'WAvES' pneumonic. Every day's a school day. Thank you.

[@moorejl57]

I find using the mnemonics more confusing than just looking at the declination diagram on the map. In my area, we have 15 degrees East declination, so I move the bezel in the same direction as the MN arrow, in my case, clockwise. I am using a Cammenga, so 5 clicks clockwise to go from map to compass. When I take a compass reading, I move the bezel towards the grid north arrow, or 5 clicks counter-clockwise for compass to map. This seems easy as I don't need to remember anything, just reference the map.

[@adriancarabajal7115]

Excellent video, when pupils understand, it means that the teacher is good.

[@donaldburton6869]

I totally agree!

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Can Dead Men Vote Twice at Elections? This sounds like questions being asked after the US election.

[@Journeyman53]

Over the years I have seen many of these sayings, and all seem hard to remember, until I found this one. It's simple, easy to remember. The rules does not change whether you are going from compass bearing to map, or map bearing to compass. Variation EAST, compass LEAST. Variation WEST, compass BEST. So, if you are in an area of EASTERLY variation, and you want to plot a compass bearing on a map, the compass has to be least, so you add the variation to arrive at the map bearing. If vice versa, you have a map bearing you want to follow, the compass still has to be least, so you subtract the variation. In practice, this is the easiest rule I have seen. For Westerly variation, the compass is best. I probably have made a poor job of explaining this, but if you think it through it will make sense. By the way, thanks for great videos.

[@01cthompson]

I'm glad I found your channel. I'm enjoying all of your videos. I was lucky to grow up learning maps and navigation from my father who was a soil scientist. Your presentations bring back many fun memories.

[@donaldburton6869]

As usual I really enjoyed this video! I liked it when you said that you only have to remember your declination once you know whether it’s east or west. I live in Maine, USA and I know that I have westerly declination so I have to add. No need to remember all those little sayings!

[@Ray_Mac]

Going to use this to help teach land nav for Search and Rescue! Have your pick of whichever mnemonic suits you!

[@wildernessexplorer]

Another great short video. Thanks, this has really clarified things 👍

[@laurentgarnotel5951]

Great way to remember how to set up your declination, thank you

[@olafweerts7653]

In NSW Australia, we had the Central mapping authority (CMA) - hence (with easterly declination) compass map add :)

[@blackbear9326]

Brilliant instruction.... WAvES. So simple. Thank you.👍🏼

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

absolutely brilliant, that's the best example I've heard. never heard of waves before and I've been reading maps a long time. this is very exciting to know due to to 2026 it's all going the change. thanks and subscribed.

[@troyhavins3522]

best explanation! Thanks from Houston TX

[@LpMcQuack]

Awesome video! Thanks

[@jimf671]

In a similar manner to WAvES, but making use of the widespread convention of East being positive and West being negative, and taking the second last letter as your clue, the following also works. compass to mAp = Add map to compaSs = Subtract

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

I like that Ap / Ss thanks. I've not heard of that. You learn something new every day

[@jimf671]

​@@TheMapReadingCompany The idea is that we already have a differentiation between declinations that are West and East in the form of the convention of East being positive. Since that is the opposite of the assumption inherent in the traditional British "map to grid get rid", all we need is a form of words that points to the opposite relationship with add and subtract. At this point, mAp and compaSs are a gift!

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Excellent video

[@BillSaltbush]

WAvES . . . I think I like that one. Have been struggling with this stuff for some time.

[@steveforde7475]

Mag to Grid...... works if you think of it as adding or removing the EFFECT of declination rather than a literal add xx degrees.

[@brianmccaffrey9610]

I learned TV Makes Dull Children when getting my pilot’s license. True heading + variation (declination) = Magnetic heading and then take the magnetic heading + deviation (the effect of electronics on the compass in the plane) = compass heading in the aircraft you’re flying 4:49

[@paulmorrey4298]

Thanks

[@DAoutdoors]

Brilliant video, simple explanation. Just a quick question, is there less importance on declination when you are only tracking your positioning and route over short distances. So for example if you are plotting a route to a point that is only 500m away, if you didn't use declination how far away would you be. Whereas if you were heading to a point 3 mile away then I presume declination would be important. Obviously the further you are travelling the further you might stray off track without taking declination in to account.

[@simplefieldcraft]

Always used the mag to grid in the military back in the 80’s. I’m living in Australia now. What would be nice is if you could explain the difference for the southern hemisphere as mag to grid would be “add” not “get rid” back in the day. Cheers.

[@billy4072]

Carry a flare 💡

[@clivedunning4317]

The mnemonic I learnt was . . . "Variation West, magnetic best (+) : Variation East , magnetic least (-)" . . .

[@rashie]

👍👍

[@jstpsgthru]

Thanks for your videos. I am a little slow picking this up. I wish I could take some of your courses. Please confirm? I am in TN U.S.A. - Western Declination. In (Grid to Mag) Map waves to compass, so ADD? In (Mag to Grid) compass waves "backward," so SUBTRACT? I appreciate your kind assistance.

[@doughobbs7706]

Interesting stuff - how do you teach this aspect of navigation with people who can preset declination on their compass? some advise to leave it, others suggest you set it for your region BUT remember to update it yearly

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

I always (always) tell people on my courses not to pre set their compass - as it only works one way: from grid to mag and not the other way, which we use a LOT on the courses

[@aarondluxford]

Declination west compass best, declination east compass least.

[@westbsa7424]

👍👍👍👍

[@georgelauro3995]

You must write a book of all your video,s .

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@44262]

Don't you have to correct for both magnetic declination as well as grid north? If you neglect grid north you can be off by 2 degrees or more which over a longer distance can be many metres off your intended destination.

[@Counselor77]

Is there any method to safeguard the compass from getting an inaccurate reading due to having something made out of Ferrous metal on your person e.g. a piece of equipment in your backpack or pocket? Or perhaps what's a safe distance between the compass and a Ferrous metal object?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

There is a technical possibility that some types of ferrous metals may damage a compass. However it’s much more likely to happen near a current, other magnet, etc. So just try and keep your compass away from your mobile phone, other compasses, etc. To test it put your compass on the ground and step away from it. Which way does it point? Then pick it up and if it points in the same direction you’re fine. If the direction has changed, something you’re carrying is affecting it.

[@Counselor77]

@@TheMapReadingCompany Wow, Thank You so much! That's very helpful.

[@medicus5565]

I am presuming that if your compass is already adjusted to the declination to your area, the addition/subtraction steps are unnecessary. Is this correct?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Yes, setting the semi-permanent declination (some compasses allow this) will allow novices to take a bearing from a map and follow it, but this is only a small amount of what a compass is used for. Anyone who can navigate to even a reasonable standard will want to use their compass for much more and setting the declination will make this much more complex than it needs to be. See here for just one example kzbin.info/www/bejne/jITFqoxqn7J6nLsfeature=shared I would think the main problem is with the semi-permanent declination adjustments is that this marketing gimmick has stopped many people learning to use their compass correctly.

[@medicus5565]

@@TheMapReadingCompany THAT is precisely why I continue to practice many navigation skills and watch your videos in close detail. I want to make sure I am able to fully utilize my compass (and map) and not rely on my GPS. Thanks for your informative videos and pleasant demeanor.

[@josephlemieux5981]

I was under the impression that you align your grid north to tru north.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Orienting a map northward is not necessary if you have a compass.

[@mrparlanejxtra]

The confusion arises if it is map to terrain or terrain to map.

[@44262]

Why do they tell us that with an adjustable declination compass you can just "set it and forget it"?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Marketing. The idea, obviously dreamed up in a marketing dept, is that most people (their customers) can’t be trusted to, or aren’t intelligent enough to, learn to use a compass correctly. If all someone wants to do is take a bearing from a map and follow it in a straight line, then semi-permanently adjusting the compass’s declination will work fine. But as soon as you want to take a bearing of a ground feature and find it on the map, use your compass to find your location, etc, etc, if you have semi-permanently adjusted your compass this become much more difficult than if you hadn’t.

[@ScottWilliams323]

one more mnemonic for you that I learned in the US Army. EMGA - WMGS. Eastern magnetic to grid add, western magnetic to grid subtract. Eat More Green Apples, Win More Green Snakes.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Ha Ha you're right. I teach quite a few military people on my navigation courses and they all do love their mnemonics

[@trevorfitzgerald4996]

I once heard someone say how to confuse a young person give them a map a 🧭 and write the instructions in running writting