SAR Land Navigation (2022)
This revised 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.
Course curriculum
-
01
Introduction: Earth, Direction & Map Basics
-
Safety Warning, CE Information, Disclaimers
-
Course Introduction; the Earth & Direction
-
Understanding Maps
-
Topography & Topographic Lines
-
Topography Maps vs The Real World
-
-
02
Describing Position: Coordinates & Datums
-
Communicating Location & Coordinates
-
Latitude & Longitude Use and Formats
-
UTM Coordinates
-
The Importance of Datum
-
USNG Coordinates
-
-
03
Plotting & Reading Coordinates
-
Basics of Reading & Plotting UTM Coordinates
-
Plotting & Reading UTM on map
-
-
04
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
-
-
05
Routefinding Examples
-
Using Compass Bearings in a SAR Mission
-
Route Planning - Dealing with Inherent Uncertainty
-
Route Finding Methods & Examples
-
A More Complex Trip Plan
-
-
06
Practice & Supplemental Materials; Maps for Quiz
-
Howardsville Map
-
Falls Creek Map
-
Coal Bank Map
-
City Reservoir Map
-
USGS_LandNavManual
-
NTSB_MSP_AAR0907
-
US Military Land Nav Field Manual
-
Supplemental Resources and Materials; Creative Commons Image Citations
-
Skill Development Practice
-
ITU Phonetic Alphabet
-
Coordinate Conversion Websites
-
-
07
Review Quiz
-
Exam
-