Navigation & Orientation
Knowing where you are and how to find your way is essential for both rescue and self-rescue.
Digital Compass
Activate to enable GPS heading
Cardinal Directions
North
0° / 360°
East
90°
South
180°
West
270°
Remember: Never Eat Soggy Waffles (clockwise from North)
Hold compass flat and level at waist height
Point the direction-of-travel arrow where you want to go
Rotate the bezel until the orienting arrow aligns with the magnetic needle
Read your bearing at the index line
Walk in the direction of travel, keeping needle in the orienting arrow
Pro Tip
Navigating by the Sun
Shadow Stick Method
Place a 3-foot stick vertically in the ground
Mark the tip of the shadow with a stone
Wait 15-20 minutes
Mark the new shadow tip
Draw a line between marks — this is roughly East-West
Stand with first mark on left — you face North (Northern Hemisphere)
Watch Method
Point the hour hand at the sun
Imagine a line halfway between hour hand and 12
This line points roughly South (Northern Hemisphere)
For digital: imagine an analog clock face
Distance Estimation
Pace Counting
Average stride ≈ 30 inches. Count every other step. ~2,000 steps = 1 mile flat terrain.
Time-Distance
Average walking: 2-3 mph flat, 1-2 mph rough terrain.
Naismith's Rule:
Allow 1 hour for every 3 miles forward, plus 1 hour for every 2,000 feet of ascent.
Pro Tip
Warning