Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group
FTM Training Schedule - Fall 1999
Bearings
Taking a Bearing from a Map
1. Turn base parallel to desired course with arrow on the
base pointing toward the destination.
2. Place compass with lines inscribed on bezel pointing
north.
3. Read bearing off bezel. (look for the white mark under the numbers.)
This is a TRUE bearing; i.e. oriented toward the north pole.
Taking a Bearing in the Field
1. Point arrow on base in direction
travel.
2. Turn bezel until red end of floating arrow is directly
over red arrow
3. Read bearing off bezel as described above.
This technique gives a MAGNETIC bearing; i.e. oriented toward
Hudson Bay.
Converting Between True and
Magnetic Bearings
1.
True
--->
Magnetic
add declination
2.
Magnetic
--->
True
subtract declination
3. Helpful memory aid:
True bearings are map bearings; magnetic bearings are “real
world” bearings. When you
go from a map to the real world you add detail and you add declination as
well.
Resection
1. A position determining technique based on nearby
landmarks.
2. If you know your position lies along two or more linear
features, your exact location will be at the INTERSECTION of these
features. for example, if you
are south of the rotunda and east of cocke hall, you are standing near the
homer statue.