THIS is how to use a compass: (very) simplified

Learning how to use a compass with a map is fun. It will give you the confidence to step out in to new areas which you haven’t visited before.
In this video I will take you through the basics of taking a bearing from a map, following a bearing, finding your position and dealing with magnetic declination.
This is a cut down version of my one day “how to use a compass” courses.

[@zakdupre9382]

Wow, I have never been able to understand the compass. So many people have tried to show me but I've never understood . I couldn't sleep last night so I came down stairs I put KZbin on to learn something and I stumbled on your video explaining what's on a compass. Then I watched your next video how to read a compass, when I woke up this morning. I am so inspired by you and I'm so grateful, thank you so much. I have sent your videos to my friends this morning to teach their children.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Glad I could help!

[@elizabethrankin-horvath3382]

I couldn't have said it better!

[@nomaayie2899]

I have watched a lot of tutorial but I realize this is the hardest tusk but hoping I gonna understand it one time. I keep on pushing

[@ecossearthur]

Folks need to send kids to the cub scouts or regular scouts...😅

[@tanioraaura1274]

This video greeted me early in the morning. It's worth learning , Back to basics,one day, the compass may aid your life, like it's supposed to.

[@plunder1956]

I'll have to watch that again twice to get it really clear in my head. It's a very clear but information rich video. Thanks

[@jacksyoungest5194]

As old Army map reading instructor it was nice to review and go over old lessons again....Great presentation

[@garymurawski1476]

I'm sure I learned this at one time being a Veteran, but nothing looks familiar. ( almost like when I'm lost)

[@devinbraun1852]

Great tutorial. Even though I am very proficient in this skill (24 yr career as a reconnaissance scout in the Army), I was curious how you instructed the subject so I watched it all the way through. Clear and concise intro to some of the basic skills of using a map & compass. While hikers/backpackers are always told they need to have a paper map and compass, most don’t and if they did, very few have a clue how to use them. I commend the poster for efforts to educate. Hopefully people first learn to: 1) read a topographical map - understand and envision the contour and elevation of the terrain depicted on the map 2) orient the map to the ground 3) identify where you and your destination are on the map 4) select a route and navigate using terrain association (following a straight azimuth is rarely the preferred way to get somewhere in the wilderness) If you can’t do the above, you should not venture off trail and probably only limit yourself to well marked day hikes. These can provide good opportunities to practice map reading and navigation skills but with mitigated risk of becoming lost.

[@garymurawski1476]

I like what you just said, but am still scared. (like frost bitten fingers)

[@honahwikeepa2115]

I'm 64. About time I learned this. Thank you 🙏

[@amongususususususs850]

عبدالفتاح الجغرافي

[@lettersquash]

This was a useful refresher. I tend to rely on my phone's GPS (usually not relying on signal for the map, as I'd have that downloaded already, but the GPS only requires a view of the sky), and when ultralight camping I ditch both the paper map and compass. If I was going anywhere where getting lost put me at serious risk, though, it would be wise to have the backup in case the phone dies.

[@andybelcher1767]

I learned all this in the Cub Scouts and got a proficiency badge...over 50 years ago! I had forgotten so much of the fine detail of using a compass not having used it since. Thank you so much.

[@daniellyne1]

Nice one 👍🏻 you explained this so well , it's so easy to listen to your instructions very well demonstrated

[@pakleader4]

I was taught to take two bearings before starting out. This way you always have a positive find and helps with triangulation which also helps with drift when walking on an azimuth direction you just showed that or illustrated this technique. It’s like a forgotten tutorial. Nobody shows that. And people get lost all the time. They don’t know triangulations techniques and still can’t find themselves on a map or position. I was taught in Boy Scouts, explorers club(US Army reserves cadet club) an extension of Eagle Scouts, JROTC, USMC to take two bearings when sighting a azimuth. SEMPER FI

[@kurtjensen7264]

It is imperative to note where you are. So that you can use the compass to get back to where you were. I learned that in the Boy Scouts. Where you want to go secondary.

[@wingame52]

In my younger days as a Boy scout, the only compass 'lesson' learnt was that (then had only one) needle that always pointed north. Never grasped the idea how to rescue yourself with only that information. There's so much more to using the compass as this video shows.

[@andrewsmith8729]

I am going to take a wild guess and say NORTH is always 'the top of the world' If a person holds the compass with the North needle pointing 90 degrees away from their body...then they are facing North toward the North Pole. 90 degrees left (hand) is West and 90 degrees Right (hand) is East. No matter where you are, the sun always rises in the East and sets in the West. If all you have is a compass....."you have to think about what you do know".... and start using that information to make decisions about what direction to take. Most people have a rough picture in their heads about what part and side of a country /world they are standing in. For example, if you are standing somewhere on the North Island of NZ.... no matter which way you walk, eventually you will find the coastline. However, that picture in your head indicates the North Island of New Zealand is much longer than it is wide..... So, it is probably shorter to walk East or West to the coastline. Rivers generally flow downhill....to the coast.... it is probably better to walk downhill. A

[@nikkemyohanen9261]

Thank you. I learned these skills even before army, but this video made it so much easier for me to explain it to someone who doesn't undrstand it at all.

[@andersjonsson7218]

Simply and pedagogically explained so that a Swede can easily understand, THANK YOU

[@bryan3dguitar]

Bork! Bork! ('Your welcome' in Muppet Swedish :o)

[@jonathanhoward8220]

Thank you for that. I vaguely knew how to use a compass, but this has gone a good way to filling out that partial knowledge. As an aside, I grew up in Blackrod, so you can imagine the shock of recognition when Rivington Moor came up as an example map. I've been up in the gardens and along the ridge between the Pigeon Cote and the Pike more times than I can remember.

[@bobadkins7377]

The question of the ages, answered! I’ve bought compasses, had them given to me over the years, none of them came with instructions. So each time I got one, I’d try to fit out and then toss it into a drawer somewhere. So then your video popped up on my KZbin screen randomly. This video answered so many questions! I know! Sounds stupid but when one doesn’t know well he just doesn’t know! Thanks. Subscribed.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

I really pleased that it helped. Try and find one of your old compasses then get a map of your local area and go out and give it try - walk around a local park or somewhere you know really well to start with.

[@garymurawski1476]

just don't use your compass to find your favorite place...could be a discouraging exercise.@@TheMapReadingCompany

[@dirkscheidemann3127]

I really love your videos, well presented and very easy to understand. Hats off from Germany !

[@happy88228]

A very nice and clear lecture on compass, now I get to know how it works, thank you! ❤

[@wr6594]

All of your videos are excellent and I have learned so much from them. This one is so clear and concise and understandable. I wasted a lot of time watching confusing, poorly done videos and some of them have misinformation in them. Had I started with this I would have been much better off! Thank you for creating this wonderful content.

[@hankphagura934]

Excellent instructions and very clear to follow steps thank you

[@sandymatharu8556]

Fantastic tutorial for basic map & compass use. Thank you for taking the time to educate using clear and simple instruction.

[@uppaia]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@jamesortolano3983]

Enjoyed this haven’t had time for one but always wanted to get one , definitely got some motivation now Great presentation, very through. Glad you popped up in my feed . Much appreciated 👍

[@jameskolar9655]

You buy the Silva, Type 4 compass. That’s where you start, it’s not the cheapest , but you’ll always be using it. It will spend a lot of time in your hands if you’re new to ‘Map Reading’. It will or should last you years! Thanks for the vid, clear and concise.

[@sgtjarhead99]

Nicely done. Wish this video or content like this was available 30 years ago before I joined the Corps. Would have made learning Land Nav much less stressful than the instructors were making it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@garymurawski1476]

do they work underwater?

[@chrisholt2474]

A fantastic film thank you, I need to watch it a few more times then I will understand the technique better. Much appreciated, thank you.

[@littlepacificstudios]

What a GREAT teacher! I will have to watch a few times to understand but am excited to learn how to do this stuff. Thank you so much for helping me understand... :)

[@michelebouvet8074]

Most excellent video. Clear, concise, informative. Best compass video so far, thankyou !

[@bjm2762]

I've never been proficient at reading maps let alone performing compass readings. Your explanation was just what I needed. And as I now have varifocal lenses I can now see where I'm going while reading a map. 👍

[@chrisjelley6899]

As a former wildernes river guide (20+ yrs), this is one the best primers Ive seen. Clear, useful info, and most importantly; REALISTIC demos! Watched too many vids where a victim goes from a crumpled mess --"look, an eagle! "-- to on a backboard.❤"...map and compass dont lie." 😂😂😂

[@garymurawski1476]

Not sure what you mean, but none of it sounds good. Thank goodness for 24 hour work shifts.

[@v.l.9560]

Good stuff……great explanations and examples!

[@canoerepairshop]

THE BEST video, THE video with the most CLARITY, I have seen in 6 to 8 months. I finally have learned to use my compass!!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@richardroy6497]

Very nicely done! Excellent

[@petefrys545]

Great reminder, have done a lot of walking in the 1970s it was good to revisit forgotten principles.

[@lilchris26]

Thanks for this, I bought the Silva Ranger 3 a good while ago and have never used it. I know my way round Rivington so I will give it a try sometime, I may wait while next summer now. Chris PS i may have to watch this a few times to get it in my head to figure out the declination bit.

[@dekard72]

Great job of explaining things, thanks.

[@BenSmithninjaben]

I've watched several videos on how to use a compass, and watching your video it all finally clicked! Thanks!

[@middleway1885]

Thanks for the deets! It was very educational and exciting to gather new knowledge and wisdom. Cheers to more blissful moments!

[@Jimbo171000]

I find some people have a general idea of direction and some have no idea about which direction north is from where they are standing. I have often told my children from where you are standing in which direction does the sun come up in the USA and will point in that basic direction so I tell them that must be east. If that is east turning 180 degrees must be west and so on. I have enjoyed watching and listening to each video you post and they all are very informative and interesting. I live 3 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and when someone asks me why they should have a compass and learn how to use I tell imagine you went fishing and the fog rolled in how would know which direction would lead you home? Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge and many years of experience with all of us. Jim Hill

[@unboxingwithmarty]

Great video, reminds me when I was young we learned to use a compass before there was GPS. A good skill to have, thank you

[@reginaolphert7435]

great video You made it so easy to understand and very clear explanation of all aspects of using a compass and a map.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@oopsagain1surname]

Best compass/map tutorial I have seen. Liked it. Makes me want to go out hiking and practice.

[@pinkpyjamas-ey6rw]

I'm a lady in my 60's and have always wanted to know how to read a compass! Now I know. Great info, thank you so much!! xx

[@nebulousnomad]

What an excellent video. Thank you

[@georgebodley8068]

was taught how to use a map compass by the south wales borderers back in the 1960 s as a cadet ,of course time has moved on and we now have satelite Navigation which can tell you where you are within a few feet ,its still good practice to use the methods described in this video just in case sat nav failure. Good video chap for those who wish to learn how to Navigate .

[@ScoutsIX3]

Fantastically clear and concise explanation, thank you!!!

[@6TypoS9]

Hey there bud, just came across your channel, excellent content very clear and straight to the point, and from someone I would assume knows this very well :)

[@timetoreason181]

Brilliant brilliant. Well simplified.

[@VictorMajumder]

This video is very informative and covered many things simply. Thank you for this.

[@paulyates2548]

as a totally absolute beginner i found the vid very helpful i may need to watch a few more times but its a real help thanks

[@bobadkins7377]

Same here, I’ll watch it again and maybe again..

[@Dustybulb]

Thank you gor your quick reply, much appreciated.Jeff

[@vrod1a]

Very well explained 👍 very useful knowledge. I need to buy a compass and practice

[@K2shadowfax]

"See that hill over there...off you go, then! See you in a few days! Don't get lost, now...follow the map...and don't fall down any mine shafts either...No on will hear you!" Brats / Adv. Trg. / Wales / In the Black Hills in the rain, sometimes in a whiteout... Much Fun...and where map reading was an essential skill. lol For anyone who feels inspired to try, get an OS Map of your local area, get a compass, and go try out these simple exercises to see how you do...and maybe, teach your siblings / offspring how to do it, too! How to read a map never goes out of date! Cheers!

[@georgelauro3995]

I learned alot from all your videos, greating from the USA.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Thanks for watching and greetings from England.

[@benpaulley8565]

Great stuff, thank you for the clear explanation.

[@micheleaday3902]

Confusing To Me. Not Understanding any of this😢

[@soldier-Dave]

@@micheleaday3902really! ….get a compass ,watch again and practice. You’ll get it!

[@paulsellick7996]

Well done, great tutorial, very easy to follow and understand especially the declination section. I've seen a few tutorials on this and most will explain how to set the declination but not show it as clearly as you have.

[@peterjones2761]

I love these videos, really interesting. I have to say that this guy looks incredibly like Scott Tracy from Thunderbirds.

[@johnpatterson9829]

An excellent explanation, and how great to see Anglezark on a map once again.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

😊 and the best thing about Anglezark is a tea and cake afterwards. www.rivingtonvillagegreentearoom.com

[@hughlowe4431]

Lovely lesson . I’m going to give it a try

[@brendahicks6471]

Best educational video ever! Thank you for posting this video.

[@MrTempo1950]

Thank you so much for this excellent video. I will continue to study these excellent instructions until I can fully understand the whole process. Once again thank you so much.

[@freddieqmercury5961]

Great instructions, thankyou

[@jwbab17]

very nicely put together. clear and informative. thank you.

[@rainbow2710]

Really informative! Subscribed.

[@fidsta30]

Such a great instruction video so well presented many thanks

[@mhollman8650]

Great info!

[@numismatric]

Thanks so much, I really mean that. I could have done with this knowledge twice on Dartmoor many years ago and I would have found Scorhill Stone Circle in an hour or less instead of two occasions and two years; even having a good OS map, a compass, whistle and gaiters etc. on the second occasion and finding it with more luck than judgement, when the light goes you need a torch to see and read maps etc, oops ;) Luckily I had studied and memorized the map and I had to walk away from where I need to go to exit the moors, going down hill to a stream and follow it along by ear in the dark to a stone wall of an estate which I had found on the first adventure when I nearly got there, but that occasion to my misfortune I had bumped into and asked two non English speaking ramblers on the moors for directions and ended on the top of two Tors many miles apart looking for Scorhill which I didn't find and I lost the light for the first time, which was very challenging and I must say I was lucky to get off Dartmoor uninjured! So thanks again for your good work and if I ever come back to Blighty from Australia which is home now, I'm going back to the Scorhill area in Devon and I'll put your knowledge into practice for old times sake. But in the meantime there is a remote long drop waterfall in my area I've been wanting to see for years and yes I will carry my ACR personal locator beacon with me on that walk.

[@user-hp6uw2si2h]

Thank you for explanation. It is very qualified and simple explanation how to use compass. Now it is really clear for me. I am from Ukraine and I tried to learn with our local youtubers, but your explanation is the best

[@user-qk1bg1ik8l]

Thank you very well explained.

[@meangreen7389]

Outstanding instructional vid. Thank you Sir.

[@OlsenTheWonderDog]

To find your position on a map, I was taught to take the reverse azimuth when sighting on a known terrain feature. The intersection of the two reverse azimuth lines from the known terrain features gave me the approximate position. I find that simpler than the method you described.

[@garymurawski1476]

Can I get a second?

[@OlsenTheWonderDog]

@@garymurawski1476 A second what?

[@stoikiymuzhik_high-schoole1057]

very informative! thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@carpediem7013]

I need three things. A compass. A large area of fields and trees and streams. The excellent fortune to be graced alongside of you. With a bit more thought, you'll notice I'm already los----- uh no I 'm already uncertain of my current location and what would truly be needed. You are an amazing person and great teacher. Thanks for these. I love the whole process and hope in some way will get to put it to use. Thank You.

[@sa4555]

This is the best explanation of how to use compass. I understood the first part easily but the 2nd part about declaration went over my head. Guess need to rewatch it.

[@WR3ND]

Great for unknown areas and finding locations. For situational awareness land navigation, I find it best to look around you, on the horizon, etc. Of course these aren't exclusive methods, but similarly one shouldn't be neglected for the other. Used together they are much more competent. Cheers.

[@michaelwald8721]

Fantastic review!! Thank you!

[@williamsliemers1758]

Good video! One thing needs to be added...keep the compass away from any metal when taking your bearings.

[@BxCortez2050]

Such a excellent teaching voice

[@pepperread1184]

This is FANTASTIC! Thank you!

[@_.alex.-]

I thought I knew how to use a compass. Today I learned that I did not. Now I do. Great video and thank you for the great and thorough video!

[@oOILLUMINATINGOo]

Good knowledge thank you for sharing 🙏 God Bless

[@zianiera]

Astonishing great explanation.Thank you

[@stallgardens]

Thank you, very inspirational

[@stephensuter7242]

This has been very helpful! THANKS!

[@miketheknife2]

Wow I can’t believe how much I remember from my Navy days. Cool video !

[@m3nathan]

Wonderful information delivered perfectly, thank you for sharing this with me

[@denisestarr2314]

I never really ever learned a compass correctly. I have hiked all over , wander I never got seriously lost . Thanks for the leason .

[@Rozenix]

Great guide. Thank you.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Excellent tutorial legend 👍.

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Great info, an awesome skill to know. New friend here.

[@jamestaylor8217]

You are a good instructor. Thank you. (ex-at sea navigator)

[@autoscanremaps]

Superb explanation, also nice to see Withnell Moor on a video !! 😊😊

[@scrapperstacker8629]

Great informative video thanks for sharing.

[@motorsport32cw]

Brilliant explination😊

[@jonm7272]

Beautifully explained and demonstrated, thanks very much!

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gerrylovejoy831]

Great use of lighting to highlight and explain

[@TNels]

Great demo, thank you!

[@garrypaton2763]

Very clear explanation, well done.

[@alandoyle6416]

Brillant video 👍

[@wuvis]

Very simplified and so clear! 10/10

[@Mozaout]

Thank you ! You did explain in very simple terms and lots of us understand 😁