The Compass and how it works ( part 1 ).

How to use a compass , the first thing you must know is the directions north, south , east , and west and north being the most important , their is several different types of compasses so we will stick to the very basic orienteering one .
On most compasses you have a base and then a turnable compass housing , on the base there is a arrow ( direction of travel arrow ) in the turnable housing there is a orienting arrow that turn as you move the housing around then inside the housing you have the needle which spins freely as you move the compass ( most needles are half red and the half black with red pointing north ) its that simple .
But what if you want to go south , OK on the compass housing the part that turns you have a scale that reads from 0 to 360 degrees ( or bearings ) and the letters n s w and e for north , south, west and east turn the housing so the letter S ( for south ) lines up with your direction of travel arrow on the base plate of your compass , hold your compass flat in your hand and turn yourself until the red needle lines up with N ( north ) on your compass giving you your direction of travel ( your base plate arrow gives you south the way you want to go ) . you can do this for any direction you want in general .
this method is not very accurate but for general direction only in part 2 we will look at using a map and get more into reading bearings going from point A to point B as well as magnetic deviation.
We will hold a get to know your compass meet on the 21st of Oct along with the abseiling and knot making for all those interested in coming out for the day.
P.S bring a cup we will be having some sort of brew up.