Les_Stroud_Survive!_Host_of_survivorman

Adjusting for Declination from Field to Map

If you want to convert a bearing taken in the field to a map, use the magnetic
needle as your starting point. Using the topographical map’s diagram for
declination as a reference, rotate the compass housing toward grid north.

stroud’s Tip

When transferring from map to field, rotate the compass

housing toward magnetic north. When transferring from

field to map, rotate the compass housing toward grid north.

Making Improvised Compasses

ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE DAUNTING TO SEE YOUR COMPASS FLOAT down the river
or plummet to the bottom of a crevasse, don’t panic. There are ways to
determine north, south, east, and west from ordinary materials that you
may be carrying or that you can find in your immediate surroundings.
None of these methods is very accurate, but each will give you an idea of
where the major directions lie.

Water

Magnetized needle Compass needle pointing north

Paper

Magnetized needle and paper in water method. A magnetized needle will always point

north/south. See tip on page 27 to learn how to magnetize a needle.

(^236) | Survive!