Land Navigation - Online Course

Land Navigation - Online Course

We’re pleased to offer this course in collaboration with Base Medical (USA). This introductory course is ideal for aspiring mountain leaders, those participating in outdoor sports, rescue personnel or wishing to plan an expedition.

This 2-hour course covers the fundamentals of land navigation for backcountry SAR, including, lat/long, UTM, USNG, datums, GPS, topographic maps, compass use, triangulation, and route finding

Core Topics

• Introduction: Earth, Direction and Map Basics

  • Course Introduction; the Earth & Direction

  • Understanding Maps

  • Topography & Topographic Lines

  • Topography Maps vs The Real World

• Describing Position: Coordinates and Datums

  • Communicating Location & Coordinates

  • Latitude & Longitude Use and Formats

  • UTM Coordinates

  • The Importance of Datum

  • USNG Coordinates

• Plotting & Reading Coordinates

  • Basics of Reading & Plotting UTM Coordinates

  • Plotting & Reading UTM on map

• Navigation Tools: Compass & GPS Receiver

• Compass Basics & Setting Declination

  • Compass skills: Orienting a Map, Taking & Shooting Bearings

  • Triangulation of Position

  • Triangulation (additional demonstration in office)

  • Satellite Navigation: using GPS and similar technologies

• Route Finding: Examples

  • Using Compass Bearings in a SAR Mission

  • Route Planning - Dealing with Inherent Uncertainty

  • Route Finding Methods & Examples

  • A More Complex Trip Plan

• Practice & Supplemental Materials

  • Mpas

  • USGS_LandNavManual

  • NTSB_MSP_AAR0907

  • US Military Land Nav Field Manual

  • Skill Development Practice

  • ITU Phonetic Alphabet

  • Coordinate Conversion Websites

• Review Quiz

  • Exam

Concept:

This self-paced online distance learning course can be taken at any time.